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Information and Instructions for Use

This leaflet tells you about CAFClT (KAF-sit) and how to give it to your baby. Read the following information before giving this medicine to your baby. Completely discuss CAFCIT (caffeine citrate) with your baby's doctor. Continue to discuss any questions you have about this medicine at your baby's checkups.

After you remove your baby's dose, throw away the open bottle (vial) and all medicine left in it. Use each vial of CAFCIT (caffeine citrate) for only one dose. There will be extra medicine left in the vial after one dose is removed. Leftover medicine should not be used because CAFCIT (caffeine citrate) does not contain preservatives. Once the vial is open, any medicine that is not used right away must be discarded.

What is CAFCIT (caffeine citrate) ?

The main ingredient of CAFCIT (caffeine citrate) is caffeine citrate. CAFCIT (caffeine citrate) is a clear, colorless, medicine to treat apnea of prematurity - short periods when premature babies stop breathing. Apnea of prematurity is due to the baby's breathing centers not being fully developed.

How do I give CAFCIT (caffeine citrate) to my baby?

Give CAFCIT (caffeine citrate) to your baby once a day, at about the same time each day. Your baby's doctor will prescribe the right amount of CAFCIT (caffeine citrate) based on your baby's weight and age. Carefully follow the doctor's dosing instructions.

Measure the dose of CAFCIT (caffeine citrate) carefully. Your baby's doctor, nurse, or pharmacist will give you a suitable syringe or supply of syringes to measure small but accurate doses of CAFCIT (caffeine citrate) .

Never change (increase or decrease) your baby's dose without speaking to your baby's doctor.

If your baby continues to have periods of apnea, call your baby's doctor right away.

CAFCIT (caffeine citrate) can be swallowed by mouth or given through a feeding tube. Based on your baby's own situation, your baby's doctor or other healthcare professional should teach you how to give CAFCIT (caffeine citrate) correctly.

CAFCIT (caffeine citrate) should be clear and colorless. Before giving CAFCIT (caffeine citrate) , look for small particles, cloudiness, or discoloration in the medicine. Do not use vials that contain cloudy or discolored medicine, or any visible particles.

CAFCIT (caffeine citrate) does NOT contain any preservatives. Do not open the vial until it is time for your baby to receive the dose of medicine. Use each vial only once. After you remove your baby's dose, throw away the vial and all medicine left in the opened vial.

Ten (10) vials of CAFCIT (caffeine citrate) are packaged in a child-resistant container. CAFClT vials are NOT CHILD-RESISTANT. Always store vials of CAFCIT (caffeine citrate) in the child-resistant container. Follow the instructions below to open the child-resistant container, to open a vial of CAFCIT (caffeine citrate) , and to remove a dose of medicine from the vial.

To open the child-resistant container that holds the vials of CAFCIT (caffeine citrate) :

(Instructions with pictures are also printed on the top of the container)

1. Hold the bottom-half of the child-resistant container with one hand and push the lower semicircular section on the front of the container with your thumb.
2. With your other hand, pull the cover up until you hear it click.
3. While holding the ends of the bottom-half of the container with both hands, place both index fingers on the two semicircular locking tabs on the sides of the container.
4. Press the two tabs and raise the cover up.

To open a vial of CAFCIT (caffeine citrate):

1. Hold the blue plastic top between the thumb and index finger. Use your thumb to flip the blue plastic top completely off the vial.
2. Carefully lift up the metal ring.
3. Pull the metal ring away from the vial and then pull it down towards the bottom of the vial without twisting the ring.
4. After you pull the ring down and the metal band around the top of the vial is completely broken through, carefully remove the rest of the metal band by pulling it out and away from the vial.
5. Being careful not to spill any medicine, remove the rubber stopper from the top of the vial.

To remove the prescribed dose from the vial:

You will need a small syringe to measure the exact amount of medicine that your baby's doctor prescribed. Your baby's doctor, nurse or pharmacist will give you this small syringe. Note that a milliliter (mL) is the same as a cubic centimeter (cc).

1. Insert the tip of the syringe in the medicine and pull up on the plunger to draw the medicine into the syringe. Remove slightly more of the medicine than the exact amount to be given to your baby.
2. Turn the syringe tip up so that any air in it rises to the top. Remove the air by gently pushing up on the syringe plunger. Continue to push the syringe plunger up to remove any extra medicine in the syringe, until only the exact number of milliliters (or cubic centimeters) that your baby's doctor prescribed remains in the syringe.
3. Give the CAFCIT (caffeine citrate) to your baby as your baby's doctor instructed.
4. Throw away the sharp metal pieces, the rubber stopper, the open vial, and any medicine that remains in it after your baby receives the dose.

What are possible side effects of CAFCIT (caffeine citrate) ?

Your baby may or may not develop side effects from taking CAFCIT (caffeine citrate) . Each baby is different. If your baby develops one or more of the following symptoms, speak with your baby's doctor right away:

• restlessness, jitteriness or shakiness
• faster heart beat
• increased urination (increased diaper wetting)

The following symptoms may be caused by serious bowel or stomach problems. Call your baby's doctor right away if your baby develops:

• bloated abdomen (stomach area)
• vomiting
• bloody stools (bloody bowel movements)
• loss of energy, lethargy (acting sluggish)

This is not a complete list of side effects reported with CAFCIT (caffeine citrate) . If you have a concern about your baby, speak with your baby's doctor. If you want more information about CAFCIT (caffeine citrate) , speak with your baby's doctor or pharmacist.

Last reviewed on RxList: 5/4/2009
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.