Caffeine + Paracetamol

Caffeine + Paracetamol is a analgesic and antipyretic combination medicine available in Bangladesh under many brand names. Below are its uses, dosage, side effects and precautions — and all brands with their current prices.

• Short-term relief of mild to moderate pain, including headache and migraine-type headache.
• Relief of toothache, period pain, muscle ache, backache, and general body pain when suitable.
• Reduction of fever when an analgesic-antipyretic is appropriate.

Adults should take this medicine only as directed on the prescription or product label. The dose depends on the tablet strength and the patient’s age, weight, liver condition, and other medicines being used. Do not exceed the recommended daily limit of paracetamol from all sources, and avoid taking extra paracetamol-containing products at the same time. If pain or fever persists, worsens, or needs treatment for more than a few days, consult a doctor.

• Common or less serious effects may include nausea, stomach discomfort, heartburn, nervousness, restlessness, tremor, insomnia, or palpitations due to caffeine.
• Allergic reactions such as rash, itching, swelling, or breathing difficulty can occur and need urgent medical attention.
• Serious but uncommon effects include liver injury, especially with overdose, alcohol use, liver disease, or use of multiple paracetamol-containing medicines.
• Rarely, severe skin reactions or blood disorders have been reported with paracetamol.

Use with caution in people with liver disease, heavy alcohol use, kidney disease, undernutrition, low body weight, uncontrolled high blood pressure, heart rhythm problems, anxiety disorders, insomnia, or sensitivity to caffeine. Avoid taking other medicines that contain paracetamol or large amounts of caffeine unless advised. Use under a registered doctor's or pharmacist's guidance.

• Alcohol increases the risk of paracetamol-related liver damage.
• Other paracetamol-containing medicines increase the risk of accidental overdose.
• Warfarin or other coumarin anticoagulants may have increased bleeding risk with regular or prolonged paracetamol use.
• Enzyme-inducing medicines such as carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, rifampicin, or some antiretrovirals may increase liver toxicity risk.
• Metoclopramide or domperidone may speed up paracetamol absorption; cholestyramine may reduce absorption if taken close together.
• Caffeine-containing drinks, energy drinks, stimulant medicines, theophylline, ciprofloxacin, or fluvoxamine may increase caffeine-related side effects such as insomnia, palpitations, or nervousness.

• Known allergy or hypersensitivity to paracetamol, caffeine, or any ingredient of the tablet.
• Severe liver disease or active severe hepatic impairment.
• Use together with another paracetamol-containing medicine when the total dose would exceed the recommended limit.
• History of serious skin reaction or severe allergic reaction to paracetamol.

During pregnancy, paracetamol is generally considered the preferred pain and fever medicine when needed, but it should be used at the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time. Because this combination contains caffeine, total caffeine intake from medicines, tea, coffee, cola, and energy drinks should be limited during pregnancy. During breastfeeding, paracetamol is usually compatible, while caffeine can pass into breast milk and may cause infant irritability or poor sleep if intake is high. Pregnant or breastfeeding patients should consult a doctor or pharmacist before use.

Store at room temperature in a dry place, away from direct sunlight, heat, and moisture. Keep the tablets in the original packaging and out of the reach of children. Do not use after the expiry date.