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It is well known that caffeine side effects provoke nervousness, increased heart rate, excessive urination, muscle twitching, feelings of euphoria and excitement, tremors, nervousness, and insomnia. However, a coffee a day may increase morning alertness.
Aside from common caffeine sources, such as coffee, tea, energy drinks, cola and hot chocolate, caffeine is also frequently found in over the counter pharmaceutical drugs, such as cough suppressants, pain relievers and allergy medication.
Despite its negative reputation, the world's most consumed stimulant, caffeine, is frequently used in combination with other medication to treat low blood pressure and gallbladder disease. Caffeine is also delivered through IV to treat breathing problems in infants.
As a drug itself, caffeine certainly has the potential to interact with prescription medications. Caffeine avoidance is sometimes indicated on leaflets providing information about prescription drugs. Drug interactions can either be pharmacodynamic, affecting how the body metabolizes a medication, or interaction can be pharmacokinetic, which influences how the medication affects the brain. Caffeine can interact in either way.
How Caffeine Side Effects Are Utilised in Certain Medications
Bronchidilators, used to relieve asthma symptoms such as wheezing and shortness of breath, stimulate the central nervous system. Caffeine does this as well, causing excessive excitability.
Psychiatric medications such as antipsychotic, anti-anxiety and anti-depressant drugs are also profoundly altered by caffeine. Caffeine may provoke restlessness and intensify side effects in schizophrenic patients. CYP 1A2, the enzyme which metabolizes many psychiatric medications, also metabolizes caffeine, which actually inhibits the enzyme and affects how psychiatric agents work.
If a medication contains caffeine, discuss necessary information about prescription drugs, such as dosage, contraindications and active ingredient side effects with a pharmacist. When taking a prescription which includes caffeine, if caffeine side effects are noted, notify a pharmacist immediately.
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