Your body often dilates blood vessels in an injured area, heightening the flow of blood to help heal it. But sometimes pain can result from this increased pressure. Caffeine is a common ingredient in many over-the-counter and prescription pain-relieving drugs. Caffeine assists in pain relief because, as a vasoconstrictor, it narrows the blood vessels and slows blood flow, bringing relief to the inflamed area.
Purpose
Caffeine is generally added to pain relievers to boost their effectiveness. For example, a study published in "The Journal of the American Medical Association" in 1984 re-examined and compared 30 studies of pain relievers that took place during a 20-year period and involved more than 10,000 patients. One of the findings was that adding caffeine to acetaminophen boosted its action by 20 to 30 percent.
Amount
Most pain relievers contain the same amount of caffeine that half a cup of coffee provides. One popular over-the-counter pain reliever designed to combat headaches contains about 65 mg of caffeine. Another non-prescription pain reliever intended to soothe the discomfort associated with menstrual cramps contains about 60 mg of caffeine. The average cup of coffee, on the other hand, contains 144 mg of caffeine. Keep in mind, however, that prescription pain relievers can contain more caffeine than over-the-counter ones.
Significance
Most pain relievers can be toxic when taken in large quantities. Therefore, the findings that caffeine can boost the pain-relieving effects of medication is important. There is always the risk that people might exceed the recommended dose of pain relievers if their pain does not abate. But since caffeine boosts the speed and effectiveness of pain relievers, sufferers can often find relief without having to resort to excessive amounts of the medication.
Side Effects
Consuming caffeine does have side effects. Ingesting high levels of caffeine can speed up your heart rate, increase urination, make you feel nauseated, give you the jitters and cause you to have trouble falling asleep. If you are on a prescription or non-prescription pain reliever that contains caffeine and are suffering from any negative side effects, speak with your doctor. There are plenty of pain relievers that do not contain caffeine.
