Advice
Following a full submission
caffeine base 5mg/ml solution for injection is accepted for restricted use within NHS Scotland for the treatment of apnoea of prematurity.
Short-term studies have demonstrated the efficacy of caffeine on apnoeic episodes and one longer-term study has shown reduction in disabilities relevant to these infants. It should be restricted to use on the advice of specialists in neonatal paediatrics.
Prescribers should note that, although the SPC describes this product in terms of caffeine base (5mg/ml), the neonatal formulary and the British National Formulary for Children currently recommend prescribing the dose as caffeine citrate (equivalent to 10mg/ml).
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Medicine details
- Medicine name:
- caffeine 5mg/ml solution for injection
- SMC ID:
- 550/09
- Indication:
- Apnoea of prematurity
- Pharmaceutical company
- Viridian Pharma Ltd (Cardinal Health)
- BNF chapter
- Central nervous system
- Submission type
- Full
- Status
- Restricted
- Date advice published
- 11 May 2009