Medical knowledge, Patient Education
Caffeine Withdrawal
Caffeine withdrawal is a group of symptoms that can develop when a person who consumes a lot of caffeine every day suddenly stops or greatly reduces their caffeine intake. Caffeine is a stimulant that is usually found in coffee, tea, soda, energy drinks, cocoa, chocolate, and some over-the-counter pain medicines. If you consume too much caffeine for a long time, you may go through caffeine withdrawal when you stop or reduce your intake.
What are the causes?
This condition is caused by having less caffeine than your body is used to having.
What increases the risk?
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Having a history of other substance use disorders.
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Having a history of a mood disorder, anxiety disorder, psychiatric disorder, or eating disorder.
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Being in a situation that restricts caffeine use, such as pregnancy, fasting, medical procedures, or hospitalization.
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Using energy drinks.
What are the signs or symptoms?
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Feeling more tired than usual.
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Headaches.
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Having trouble concentrating or staying alert.
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Feeling irritable.
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Craving caffeine.
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Feeling like you have symptoms of the flu, such as:
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Body aches.
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Sweating.
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Coughing.
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Vomiting or loss of appetite.
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Depression.
Your symptoms may be more or less severe, depending on how much caffeine you consume or have been consuming over time.
How is this diagnosed?
This condition is usually diagnosed based on your symptoms and your recent history of caffeine use. Your health care provider may ask you about any history of stimulant abuse or use of other substances. In some cases, you may be asked to use a food journal to keep track of how much caffeine you have every day.
How is this treated?
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Consume more caffeine at first to help end the withdrawal symptoms.
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Slowly reduce your caffeine use over time to avoid symptoms of caffeine withdrawal while removing it from your diet. Your health care provider can help you decide if you want to limit or eliminate caffeine from your diet.
Other treatments may be recommended to help with any underlying reasons for your high caffeine use.
Follow these instructions at home:
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Do not stop having caffeine all at once. Doing that may cause severe withdrawal symptoms.
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To avoid withdrawal symptoms, do not have more than 50 mg of caffeine—equal to ½ cup of coffee—in one day.
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Cut back on caffeine slowly over time as directed by your health care provider. For example, try mixing a caffeinated soda with decaffeinated soda.
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Try replacing coffee, tea, or soda with a decaffeinated drink.
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Find ways to manage stress, such as by:
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Meditating.
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Being more active.
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Using deep breathing exercises.
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Contact a health care provider if:
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Your headaches or other withdrawal symptoms do not go away after several days of reducing caffeine use.
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Your headaches or withdrawal symptoms do not go away after you start using caffeine again.
Get help right away if:
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You feel depressed or have suicidal thoughts.
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You are vomiting or have severe dehydration.
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Call 911.
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Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or 988. This is open 24 hours a day.
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Text the Crisis Text Line at 741741.
Summary
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Caffeine withdrawal is a group of symptoms that can develop when a person who consumes a lot of caffeine every day suddenly stops or greatly reduces their caffeine intake.
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Your withdrawal symptoms may be more or less severe, depending on how much caffeine you consume or have been consuming over time.
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Your health care provider can help you decide if you want to limit or eliminate caffeine from your diet.
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Do not stop having caffeine all at once. Doing that may cause severe withdrawal symptoms.
This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.
