Caffeine Citrate
Caffeine citrate is a central nervous system stimulant used primarily in neonatal intensive care units. It helps stimulate the respiratory center in the brain, increasing minute ventilation, and decreasing the threshold to hypercapnia to treat apnea of prematurity.
Dosage by Body Weight
Must be administered under strict medical supervision. A typical loading dose is 20 mg/kg given intravenously or orally, followed by a maintenance dose of 5 to 10 mg/kg once daily, starting 24 hours after the loading dose.
- Body Weight
- Below 5 kg
- Dose
- Loading: 20 mg/kg. Maintenance: 5-10 mg/kg.
- Frequency
- Once daily (maintenance dose starts 24 hours after loading dose)
- Tracking Notes
- Indicated for premature neonates. Monitor heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood caffeine levels closely.
- Body Weight
- 5-7 kg
- Dose
- Not routinely indicated
- Frequency
- N/A
- Tracking Notes
- Apnea of prematurity typically resolves before infants reach this weight. Use only under direct specialist supervision.
- Body Weight
- 8-10 kg
- Dose
- Not routinely indicated
- Frequency
- N/A
- Tracking Notes
- Not indicated for children in this weight bracket; safety and efficacy have not been established.
- Body Weight
- 11-15 kg
- Dose
- Not routinely indicated
- Frequency
- N/A
- Tracking Notes
- Not indicated for children in this weight bracket; safety and efficacy have not been established.
- Body Weight
- 16-20 kg
- Dose
- Not routinely indicated
- Frequency
- N/A
- Tracking Notes
- Not indicated for children in this weight bracket; safety and efficacy have not been established.
| Body Weight | Dose | Frequency | Tracking Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below 5 kg | Loading: 20 mg/kg. Maintenance: 5-10 mg/kg. | Once daily (maintenance dose starts 24 hours after loading dose) | Indicated for premature neonates. Monitor heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood caffeine levels closely. |
| 5-7 kg | Not routinely indicated | N/A | Apnea of prematurity typically resolves before infants reach this weight. Use only under direct specialist supervision. |
| 8-10 kg | Not routinely indicated | N/A | Not indicated for children in this weight bracket; safety and efficacy have not been established. |
| 11-15 kg | Not routinely indicated | N/A | Not indicated for children in this weight bracket; safety and efficacy have not been established. |
| 16-20 kg | Not routinely indicated | N/A | Not indicated for children in this weight bracket; safety and efficacy have not been established. |
Formulation
Purpose
Short-term treatment of apnea of prematurity in premature infants.
Generic Name
Caffeine citrateBranded Drug Names
Caffeine Citrate is listed as a generic drug name. Common branded medicines that may contain the same active ingredient include:
Scheduled Drug
No. This medicine is generally not treated as a scheduled/prescription-only drug in common consumer references, but local rules may vary.