Medication Information for: Caffeine oral solution

Why? Caffeine helps babies breathe. It stimulates the breathing center in the brain, and reduces the number of breathing spells (apnea) and heart spells (bradycardia). The pediatrician will decide how long caffeine is needed.

How? Give caffeine as ordered. Caffeine is usually given once or twice a day.

Your baby's dose is:
__________ml. _________times a day at __________o'clock and ______________o'clock.

Measure the dose and mix it with a small amount of milk before you give it to the baby.

Caffeine should be kept in the refrigerator. Caffeine isn't widely available as a liquid medicine but pharmacists can make this medicine for babies when it is needed. We recommend using Mercy Pharmacy at St. John's Mercy Medical Center 314-251-7444 for your prescriptions. If this is inconvenient, your pharmacist at home can call Mercy Pharmacy to ask how to make caffeine liquid. Mercy Pharmacy also mails prescriptions. Plan ahead to make sure you have enough time to get this refilled. Do not use caffeine after the expiration date on the bottle.

Any problems? Most side effects of caffeine would be seen in the hospital before the baby goes home. It is important to measure the dose very carefully. Use a 1 ml. syringe to measure the dose. Caffeine can cause irritability. Caffeine can cause a fast heart rate if too much is given.

ALWAYS KEEP ALL MEDICATIONS OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

Check your supply before vacations, holidays and other times when you may not be able to obtain more.

Kelly Burch, PharmD
November, 1999
Revised August 2004
(provided by St. John's Mercy Medical Center)