Caffeine

Caffeine can be used by people over the age of 16 to increase alertness, reduce fatigue & malaise and to enhance pain relief when used with paracetamol.

Caffeine works by blocking the actions of adenosine, a natural chemical produced by the body to signal tiredness. It is often included in many over-the-counter cold and flu remedies due to its effects of reducing fatigue caused by cold or flu, and in combination with other medications such as pain relief. It can also be purchased in tablet form either as synthetic caffeine or as guarana (plant-based caffeine).

Caffeine should not be used by children under 12 when it is found in cold, flu or pain relief products. Caffeine alone is not recommended for use by anyone under 16 years. Caffeine should also be used with caution in those taking stimulant ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) medication as it can increase side effects of their medication.

As with any medications, some people are bound to get some unwanted side effects. Some of the common ones include insomnia, anxiety, irritability, nausea, headaches and diarrhoea.