Caffeine can be both beneficial and harmful for a headache sufferer. It can serve as a treatment or, in some cases, can cause withdrawal or rebound headaches.

What Is Caffeine?

Caffeine is a commonly used drug that increases alertness, decreases fatigue, and improves muscle coordination. Though coffee comes to mind as the most common source of caffeine, it's also naturally found in tea and chocolate, and it is often added to soft drinks and non-prescription medications like pain-relievers and cold remedies. People vary in their sensitivity to caffeine. If used excessively, caffeine can be too stimulating and cause anxiety, sleep problems, muscle twitching, or abdominal pain.

How Does Caffeine Treat Headaches?

Caffeine is a common ingredient in many prescription and over-the-counter headache medications (see list below). Caffeine additives make pain relievers 40% more effective in treating headaches. Caffeine also helps the body absorb headache medications more quickly, bringing faster relief. By adding caffeine and, in turn, taking less medication, you can reduce the risk for potential side effects and possible drug addiction.

Common Over-The-Counter Drugs Containing Caffeine
Drug Name	Caffeine Content
Actamin Super	65.4 mg.
Anacin Maximum Strength	32 mg.
Anacin Tablets and Caplets	32 mg.
Aspirin-Free Excedrin Caplets	65 mg.
Bayer Select Maximum Strength Headache Pain Relief	65.4 mg.
Dristan Capsules	16 mg.
Excedrin Caplets	65 mg.
Excedrin Caplets Extra Strength	65 mg.
Excedrin Extra Strength Caplets and Tablets	65 mg.
Goody's Extra Strength Tablets	16.25 mg.
Goody's Headache Powder	32.5 mg.
Midol Menstrual Maximum Strength Caplets	60 mg.
Midol for Cramps Maximum Strength Caplets	32.4 mg.
NoDoz100 mg.	32.4 mg.
Pain Reliever Tablets	65 mg.
Vanquish Caplets	33 mg.
Vivarin	200 mg.

Common Prescription Drugs Containing Caffeine
Drug Name	Caffeine Content
Cafergot Suppositories (other names: Cafertrine, Cafetrate, Migergot, Wigraine)	100 mg.
Cafergot Tablets (other names: Ercaf, Ergo-Caff, Gotamine, Wigraine)	100 mg.
Darvon Compound 65 Puvules	32.4 mg.
Fiorinal Capsules and Tablets	40 mg.
Fiorinal with Codeine No. 3	40 mg.
Norgesic Forte; Norphadrine Forte	60 mg.
Norgesic; Norphadrine Forte	30 mg.
Triaminicin with Codeine Tablets	30 mg.

Note: The drugs listed are some of the more common drugs containing caffeine; all drugs containing caffeine are not included. Always check the labels of over-the-counter medications for the caffeine content. Or, ask your doctor or pharmacist about the caffeine content of your medications.

Other Caffeine Sources

Beverages

Chocolate milk, chocolate milkshakes, hot chocolate, and chocolate drinks
Cocoa mix, malt powder, chocolate flavoring
Cola and other sodas, like Mountain Dew or Surge (regular and diet)
Coffee
Tea
Chocolate or coffee liqueurs

NOTE: caffeine-free and decaffeinated beverages also contain small amounts of caffeine.

Foods

All chocolate products including brownies, cake, and éclairs
Chocolate candy including fudge and chocolate-covered coconut,
raisins, and peanuts
Chocolate-covered graham crackers (or chocolate-flavored graham crackers)
Chocolate ice cream or pudding

Source: FDA's Center for Drugs and Biologics.

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WebMD Medical Reference provided in collaboration with the Cleveland Clinic