Type of medicine: stimulant
Generic and brand names: caffeine citrate, oral; caffeine citrate, injection; Cafcit
This medicine is taken by mouth or given by injection for a short time to treat apnea of prematurity (short periods when premature babies stop breathing).
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if your baby has:
This medicine can be swallowed by mouth or given through a feeding tube. Your baby's healthcare provider will teach you how to give the medicine correctly. Give this medicine exactly as directed.
Give this medicine to your baby once a day, at about the same time each day. Your baby’s healthcare provider will tell you how much medicine to use based on your baby’s weight and age. Measure each dose of this medicine carefully. Use a special syringe to measure the correct dose.
The medicine should be clear and colorless. Do not use medicine that looks cloudy, discolored, or has specks in it.
Do not open the vial until it is time to give your baby the dose of medicine. Use each vial only once. After you remove your baby’s dose, throw away the vial and all medicine left in the opened vial.
If needed, the injection form is given by a healthcare provider.
If you miss giving a dose to your baby, give it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and give the next one as directed. Do not use double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
If you think that your baby may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: fast or irregular heartbeat, fever, vomiting, seizures, tremors, fast breathing, agitation.
Contact your healthcare provider if your baby:
Your baby may need blood tests regularly. Keep all appointments for these tests.
If your baby needs emergency care or surgery, tell the healthcare provider that your child is taking this medicine.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your baby’s body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if your baby has any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away). If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Restlessness, decreased urination, bloated stomach, vomiting, bloody bowel movements, muscle twitching, fever, sluggish, feeding less than normal, rash, flushing, fast or irregular heartbeat.
Other: Fussiness, frequent urination, trouble sleeping.
When your baby takes this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if your baby takes:
If you are not sure if your child's medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your baby's medicines with you. List all prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat your baby about all the products your child is taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
Use each vial for only one dose. There will be extra medicine left in the vial after one dose is removed. Leftover medicine should not be used because this medicine does not contain preservatives. Once the vial is open, any medicine that is not used right away may not be safe to use for the next dose and should be discarded.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
