Note: This document contains side effect information about caffeine. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Vivarin.
Applies to caffeine: intravenous solution.
Serious side effects of Vivarin
Along with its needed effects, caffeine (the active ingredient contained in Vivarin) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking caffeine:
More common
- Feeding intolerance
Less common
- Agitation
- black, tarry stools
- blood in the stools or urine
- bruising
- burning feeling or tenderness in the stomach
- chills
- coma
- confusion
- coughing or vomiting blood
- decreased urine output
- depression
- dizziness
- fainting
- fast heartbeat
- fever
- headache
- hostility
- indigestion
- irritability
- lethargy
- lightheadedness
- muscle twitching
- nausea
- persistent bleeding
- rapid, shallow breathing
- rapid weight gain
- rash
- seizures
- stomach upset
- swelling of the face, ankles, or hands
- trouble breathing
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- vomiting
- vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking caffeine:
Symptoms of overdose
- Irritability
- nervousness
- rapid heartbeat
- trouble sleeping
Other side effects of Vivarin
Some side effects of caffeine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
- Dry skin
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to caffeine: compounding powder, intravenous solution, oral gum, oral liquid, oral tablet, oral tablet dispersible, oral tablet extended release.
Gastrointestinal
Very common (10% or more): Constipation (up to 17.4%)
Common (1% to 10%): Necrotizing enterocolitis, gastritis, GI hemorrhage, gastroesophageal reflux, dilated bowel loops
Frequency not reported: Increased gastric aspirate, GI intolerance, vomiting, regurgitation[Ref]
General
Long-term follow-up studies have not shown caffeine (the active ingredient contained in Vivarin) to adversely affect neurological development or growth parameters.[Ref]
Cardiovascular
Common (1% to 10%): Hemorrhage, tachycardia
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Arrhythmia
Frequency not reported: Increased left ventricular output, increased stroke volume, hypertension[Ref]
Dermatologic
Common (1% to 10%): Rash, dry skin, skin breakdown[Ref]
Hematologic
Common (1% to 10%): Disseminated intravascular coagulation, anemia
Frequency not reported: Decreased hemoglobin[Ref]
Hepatic
Common (1% to 10%): Kidney failure[Ref]
Metabolic
Common (1% to 10%): Acidosis, hyperglycemia
Frequency not reported: Hypoglycemia, temporary reduced weight gain, decreased thyroxine[Ref]
Nervous system
Common (1% to 10%): Cerebral hemorrhage
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Convulsions/seizures
Frequency not reported: Irritability, restlessness, jitteriness, tremors, brain injury[Ref]
Ocular
Common (1% to 10%): Retinopathy of prematurity[Ref]
Other
Common (1% to 10%): Perinatal disorder (trace aspirates, feeding intolerances), injection site reaction, sepsis, accidental injury, abnormal healing, infusion site phlebitis and inflammation
Frequency not reported: Failure to thrive, deafness[Ref]
Respiratory
Common (1% to 10%): Dyspnea, lung edema
Frequency not reported: Tachypnea[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
Rare (less than 0.1%): Hypersensitivity reaction[Ref]
Renal
Frequency not reported: Increased urine flow rate, increased creatinine clearance, increased sodium and calcium excretion[Ref]