Caffeine/Sodium Benzoate (By injection)
KAF-een, SOE-dee-um BEN-zoe-ate
Treats breathing problems caused by taking too much narcotic pain medicine or drinking too much alcohol.
Drug classes
CNS Stimulant, Stimulant, Respiratory (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Caffeine and sodium benzoate injection is used with other supportive therapies to treat respiratory depression (very slow breathing) caused by taking too much narcotic pain medicines or alcohol.
This medicine is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of a doctor.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Injectable
Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot into a muscle or vein.
A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Make sure your doctor knows if you are using medicine for asthma, such as theophylline (Theo-Dur®). Tell your doctor if you are also using aspirin or phenobarbital (Luminal®).
When Not To Use
You should not receive this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to caffeine or sodium benzoate.
Warnings
Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have heart disease or heart rhythm problems.
Large doses of this medicine may cause worsened breathing or other unwanted effects. Tell your doctor right away if you have a headache, anxiety, fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat, ringing in the ears, or muscle tremors or twitches.
Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
Increase in how much or how often you urinate
Muscle twitching, tremors, or shaking
Worsened breathing problems
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Changes in your vision
Feeling anxious, excited, or agitated
Headache
Increased sense of pain
Ringing in your ears
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
