Caffeine is the same substance and enters the blood stream at the same rate regardless of what form it is consumed. Drinking coffee and taking caffeine pills has no distinctive difference in its effectiveness on your central nervous system. Depending on how much coffee you drink, the amount of caffeine may differ between consuming coffee and taking a caffeine pill. Caffeine is a drug that needs to be used under the direction of a doctor.
Caffeine Background
Caffeine is a naturally occurring substance in nature that causes increased energy and wakefulness when consumed in moderation. It is primarily found in coffee, cocoa, chocolate, kola nuts and tea. Synthetic forms of the substance are sold in over-the-counter medications to help you stay awake longer. Drugs.com warns that caffeine supplements are not intended to replace sleep and should not be used for a long period of time. Caffeine may also be used to help with respiratory problems in young children. Some pain relievers contain caffeine to help the drug enter the blood stream faster.
Consumption
Because caffeine is a drug, you should monitor how much of the substance you consume on a daily basis. Taking caffeine pills and drinking a cup of coffee will have the same effect, if you take the same amount with each product. The average cup of coffee contains between 102 and 200 mg of caffeine, while a single caffeine pill contains about 100 to 200 mg of caffeine, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest and Drugs.com. It’s not advisable to ingest more than 1,000 mg of caffeine within a 24-hour period. To prevent caffeine overdose, do not drink coffee while taking caffeine pills.
Overdose
Consuming too much coffee can cause death if not treated. Overdosing on caffeine can overwhelm the body, causing extreme life-threatening symptoms. Call poison control or 911 if you develop these symptoms or if you suspect you’ve overdosed on the drug. Common symptoms include hallucinations, convulsions, seizures, a rapid heartbeat, fever, confusion, breathing difficulty, muscle twitching and an irregular heartbeat. Poison control will want to know your age, weight and how much caffeine you’ve consumed in the last 24 hours.
Precautions
Regular caffeine consumption may cause difficulty sleeping, a pounding heart rate, nervousness and irritability. The Mayo Clinic recommends that if you develop these symptoms, you need to avoid all forms of caffeine. Not everyone tolerates caffeine the same way, which may be determined by medical conditions, weight and the regular amount of caffeine you ingest on a daily basis.
Member Comments