Caffeine citrate

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Caffeine citrate
Systematic (IUPAC) name
2-hydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid; 1,3,7-trimethylpurine-2,6-dione
Identifiers
CAS number 69-22-7
ATC code  ?
PubChem 6241
Chemical data
Formula C14H18N4O9 
Mol. mass 386.31
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability  ?
Metabolism  ?
Half life  ?
Excretion  ?
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.

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Legal status
Routes Oral, i.v.

Caffeine citrate (Cafcit®) is a citrate salt of caffeine, sometimes used in medical treatment, including short-term treatment of lack of breathing in premature infants: apnea of prematurity. Caffeine citrate functions in much the same capacity as does caffeine, but takes effect more quickly; its speed of dissociation is faster than that of caffeine. Like its sister compound, it can be used to dispel pain from a headache. However, caffeine citrate is typically only used to treat severe migraines.

The drug is prepared simply by combining anhydrous caffeine with citric acid monohydrate and sodium citrate dihydrate. In method of action, the preparation is exactly identical to that of caffeine base as the citrate counter ion dissociates in water. Doses of caffeine citrate, due to the added weight of the citrate moiety, are understandably higher than with caffeine base. The ratio of therapeutic doses of caffeine base to its citrate salt is typically 1:2.

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