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Current Drug Safety

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 1574-8863
ISSN (Online): 2212-3911

Short Communication

Lack of Evidence for Blood Pressure Effects of Caffeine Added to Ibuprofen

Author(s): Anette Lampert, Robert Lange and Thomas Weiser*

Volume 18, Issue 1, 2023

Published on: 25 May, 2022

Page: [97 - 102] Pages: 6

DOI: 10.2174/1574886317666220414125027

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Abstract

Background: Caffeine enhances the efficacy of non-opioid analgesics. Data on the cardiovascular health effects of caffeine intake are controversial, and studies on the cardiovascular effects of medical caffeine use are lacking.

Objective: The study aims to explore the cardiovascular effects of an ibuprofen/caffeine combination in comparison to ibuprofen alone.

Methods: Secondary analysis of a previously reported bioequivalence study of a single dose of a fixed dose ibuprofen/caffeine combination (400/100 mg) vs. ibuprofen alone in a randomized, cross-over design in 36 healthy volunteers. Plasma catecholamines were analyzed to enhance mechanistic interpretation of the data.

Results: After exclusion of 10 protocol violators (pre-dosing intake of caffeine), vital signs were comparable over a 24-h period in the absence and presence of caffeine. Plasma catecholamine levels were also comparable.

Conclusion: These data do not support the hypothesis that occasional intake of a small dose of caffeine as part of pain medication imposes a health risk due to vital sign changes. Based on the proven increase in efficacy, the addition of caffeine to non-opioid analgesics such as IBU has a favorable risk/benefit profile for occasional use.

Keywords: Caffeine, ibuprofen, blood pressure, heart rate, adverse effects, drug metabolism.

Graphical Abstract

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