What is caffeine classified as

In its natural form, caffeine tastes very bitter. But most caffeinated drinks are processed enough to hide the bitter taste. Teens get most of their caffeine from soft drinks, coffee drinks, and energy drinks. You may feel the effects of caffeine for up to 6 hours. Caffeine can help you feel alert and focused.

But it also can cause anxiety, stomach upset, headaches, and the jitters. Caffeine can make it hard to sleep. Caffeine sensitivity is the amount of caffeine that will cause symptoms. This varies from person to person. But people who regularly have a lot of caffeine become less sensitive to it.

This means they need more caffeine to get the same effects. Caffeine increases heart rate, blood pressure, and stress hormones. Withdrawal symptoms usually start within hours after the last dose. The symptoms can last for around days, or even longer for people who consume a lot. Pure and highly concentrated caffeine food products are prohibited in Australia.

Last published: November 10, What is caffeine? How is caffeine used? Average amounts 3. Effects of caffeine There is no safe level of drug use. Caffeine affects everyone differently, based on: size, weight and health whether the person is used to taking it whether other drugs are taken around the same time the amount taken The following effects may be experienced within 30 minutes after consuming caffeine, and may continue for up to 6 hours: feeling more alert and active restlessness, excitability and dizziness anxiety and irritability dehydration and needing to urinate more often higher body temperature faster breathing and heart rate headache and lack of concentration stomach pains.

Long-term effects Regular, heavy use of caffeine such as more than 4 cups of coffee a day may eventually cause: anxiety difficulty sleeping ulcers osteoporosis in post-menopausal women irritability and headaches dizziness and ringing in the ears muscle tremor weakness and fatigue rapid heart rate and quickened breathing rate poor appetite, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea increased thirst, frequent urination or increased urine volume irregular heart rate or rhythm low blood pressure with faintness or falls seizures, confusion or delirium.

Read more about withdrawal. In Australia between and , there were calls to the NSW Poisons Information Line concerning toxicity from caffeinated energy drinks. Ontario: Addiction Research Foundation; Kaye S. The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website. Skip to main content. Home Drugs. Actions for this page Listen Print. Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. What does caffeine do to your body?

How much caffeine is okay each day? Energy drinks and caffeine Caffeine dependency and withdrawal Children, pregnant women, athletes and caffeine Where to get help. Some of the signs and symptoms of having too much caffeine include: a rise in body temperature frequent urination dehydration dizziness and headaches rapid heartbeat palpitations restlessness and excitability anxiety and irritability trembling hands sleeplessness first feeling energetic but then having an even greater feeling of tiredness.

Approximate caffeine levels per serve include: chocolate drinks: 5—10mg per ml instant coffee: 80—mg per ml drip or percolated coffee: —mg per ml espresso coffees such as espresso or latte: —mg per ml decaffeinated coffee: 2—6mg per ml black tea: 65—mg per ml cola drinks: 40—49mg per ml Red Bull energy drink: 80mg per ml energy drink: mg per ml dark chocolate bar: mg per 55g serve milk chocolate bar — 10mg per 50g serve guarana: can contain up to mg per 1g of guarana caffeine tablets such as No-Doz — mg per tablet.

Energy drinks and caffeine Energy drinks contain caffeine, as well as ingredients such as taurine and guarana a natural source of caffeine. Children and pregnant women should avoid drinking energy drinks. These may include: fatigue crankiness persistent headache sweating muscle pain anxiety. Symptoms of caffeine withdrawal may begin within 12 to 24 hours and can last about seven days.

Children, pregnant women, athletes and caffeine Some people who need to take special care with caffeine include: children — currently there are no guidelines for children's intake of caffeine. Caffeine intake should be investigated if children are showing symptoms of irritability, inability to sleep, interrupted sleep or stomach upsets. Remember that caffeine is present in many soft drinks and chocolate, not just coffee and tea.

The consumption of energy drinks should also be closely monitored pregnant women — if you are pregnant , limit your caffeine intake to mg per day or less, or avoid it altogether. Having high amounts of caffeine may increase your risk of miscarriage, experiencing a difficult birth and having a baby with a low birth weight athletes — caffeine is not classified as a prohibited substance under the World Anti-Doping Code Prohibited List.

Where to get help Your GP doctor Pharmacist. Caffeine , , European Food Safety Authority.