Caffeine withdrawal from

Caffeine has been associated with changes in the metabolism of clozapine (SEDA-20, 50 SEDA-22, 61). Seven schizophrenic patients taking clozapine monotherapy participated in a study of the effects of caffeine withdrawal from the diet (247). After a caffeine-free diet for 5 days, clozapine plasma concentrations fell by 50%. The authors suggested that schizophrenic patients treated with clozapine should have their caffeine intake medically supervised, and that monitoring of concentrations of clozapine and its metabolite may be warranted. 

Carrillo JA, Herraiz AG, Ramos SI, Benitez J. Effects of caffeine withdrawal from the diet on the metabolism of clozapine in schizophrenic patients. J Clin Psychopharmacol 1998 18(4) 311-6. 

Bruce, M., Scott, N., Shine, P., Lader, M., Caffeine withdrawal A contrast of withdrawal symptoms in normal subjects who have abstained from caffeine for 24 hours and for 7 days. Journal of Psychopharmacology Vol 5(2), 129-134, 1991. 

Although caffeine increases response speed in some visual attention taste, it is apparently not due to decreased distractibility or suppression of irrelevant responses (Kenemans and Verbaten 1998). Cognitive decline is evident during withdrawal from caffeine, primarily on measures of response time and sustained attention (Bernstein et al. 1998). The degree of habitual caffeine use is the strongest variable predicting the response to caffeine in a visual attention task (Loke and Meliska 1984). 

Substance-Induced Anxiety Disorder. Numerous medicines and drugs of abuse can produce panic attacks. Panic attacks can be triggered by central nervous system stimulants such as cocaine, methamphetamine, caffeine, over-the-counter herbal stimulants such as ephedra, or any of the medications commonly used to treat narcolepsy and ADHD, including psychostimulants and modafinil. Thyroid supplementation with thyroxine (Synthroid) or triiodothyronine (Cytomel) can rarely produce panic attacks. Abrupt withdrawal from central nervous system depressants such as alcohol, barbiturates, and benzodiazepines can cause panic attacks as well. This can be especially problematic with short-acting benzodiazepines such as alprazolam (Xanax), which is an effective treatment for panic disorder but which has been associated with between dose withdrawal symptoms. 

Legally, caffeine is not regulated as a dangerously addictive substance. Yet, withdrawal from caffeine is documented as a recognized set of symptoms in the medical literature. Many people who regularly consume caffeine and then suddenly stop will experience... 

M. van Dusseldorp, and M.B. Katan, Headache caused by caffeine withdrawal among moderate coffee drinkers switched from ordinary to decaffeinated coffee A 12 week double blind trial. Br. Med. J. 300 1558-1559, 1990. 

Caffeine 2. Chaste tree 3. Green tea 4. Plantain 1. Lithium 2. Phenothiazines (e.g. chlorpromazine, promazine, levomepromazine, pericyazine, pipotiazine, fluphenazine, perphenazine, trifluphenazine) 3. Clozapine L blood lithium levels with 1 clinical effects. 1 effects of phenothiazines Unknown mechanism (caffeine) Contains dopamine agonists (chaste tree) Induction of metabolizing enzymes (green tea may induce CYP1A2, which metabolizes clozapine) l absorption from the gut (plantain may l absorption of lithium) Be aware. Caffeine withdrawal may precipitate lithium toxicity, so avoid sudden caffeine withdrawal. Avoid concomitant use if possible... 

Tea and coffee have been popular beverages for centuries, primmly because they contain the stimulant caffeine. It stimulates respiration, the heart, and the central nervous system, and is a diuretic (promotes urination). It can cause nervousness and insomnia and, like many drugs, can be addictive, making it difficult to reduce the daily dose. A regulcu coffee drinker who consumes as few as four cups per day can experience headache, insomnia, and even nausea upon withdrawal from the drug. 

As up to 10% of about 42 000 dialysis patients have suffered from renal insufficiency due to analgesic nephropathy (in the postphenacetin era), German nephrologists have demanded the withdrawal from the market of medications that contain fixed combinations of analgesics (paracetamol, aspirin, or propjrphenazone) plus caffeine, following the example of their American colleagues in the National Kidney Foundation (33). 

Heavy caffeine consumption may increase the renal clearance of lithium. Therefore, withdrawal from caffeine can result in increased serum lithium concentration. ... 

Withdrawal from caffeine may lead to severe headaches... 

Disulflram reduces the clearance of caffeine, which might complicate the withdrawal from alcohol. 

Fact. Such adverse effects as the above are rare with moderate intakes of coffee. Rather, the nervous system is stimulated agreeably— there is enhanced alertness and wakefulness, increased energy, and elevated mood. Of course, those who experience gastric distress from minimal amounts of coffee should abstain from it. Two remedies for caffeine withdrawal headaches are suggested (1) a gradual decrease in coffee consumption—a weaning period of about a week and (2) the use of a suppository containing 150 mgm of caffeine. 

Most of the research and results have been focused on the effects of drug therapy on the disorders induced by alcohol, and by opiates abuse. For all drugs, the first objective is to wean the patients from the drug, treating or preventing the effects of withdrawal for those drugs which cause physical dependence (alcohol, nicotine, opiates, caffeine, certain psychotropic agents such as benzodiazepines, possibly antidepressants). The second phase is the prevention of recurrence or relapse, which relies on a com-... 

As with any active agent that produces a withdrawal syndrome, the common-sense approach is to gradually wean oneself from caffeine in order to minimize any symptoms. Those wishing to decrease their use should taper off slowly and perhaps substitute cups of caffeinat-ed drinks with decaffeinated varieties or other caffeine-free beverages. 

In general, coffee, tea, mate) Coca-Cola , and other sodas are so ubiquitous that people rarely think of them as drugs. Aside from individuals who are hypersensitive to caffeine, the controversy continues on whether caffeine itself is harmful or helpful to the people who use it. There is no doubt that caffeine is a CNS drug. It is well known that many individuals are physically dependent on its daily use and will exhibit withdrawal symptoms, including headache and disorientation, if their use is abruptly stopped. On the other hand, aside from the spiraling cost of cappuccinos, it may be hard to specify adverse consequences to the use of caffeine. 

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