Caffeine citrate, sold under the brand nameCafcit among others, is a medication used to treat alack of breathing in premature babies.[5] Specifically it is given to babies who are born at less than 35 weeks or weigh less than 2 kilograms (4.4 lb) once other causes are ruled out.[6] It is given by mouth orslow injection into a vein.[5]
Caffeine citrate is generally the preferred treatment forapnea of prematurity for infants born 28 to 32 weeks or earlier than 28 weeks.[6][15] It has fewer side effects as compared totheophylline.[6]
Caffeine improves airway function in asthma, increasingforced expiratory volume (FEV1) by 5% to 18%, with this effect lasting for up to four hours.[16]
In method of action, the preparation is 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, i.e., it takes a larger dose to get the same amount of caffeine.[13] The ratio of therapeutic doses of caffeine base to its citrate salt is typically 1:2.[13] Dosing should therefore be clearly distinguished.[13]
The drug is prepared by combininganhydrouscaffeine withcitric acid monohydrate andsodium citrate dihydrate. Caffeine citrate cocrystals can take on at least two anhydrous polymorphs.[8]
^Aranda JV, Gorman W, Bergsteinsson H, Gunn T (March 1977). "Efficacy of caffeine in treatment of apnea in the low-birth-weight infant".The Journal of Pediatrics.90 (3):467–472.doi:10.1016/S0022-3476(77)80718-X.PMID14241.
^World Health Organization (2019).World Health Organization model list of essential medicines: 21st list 2019. Geneva: World Health Organization.hdl:10665/325771. WHO/MVP/EMP/IAU/2019.06. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.
