Caffeine Citrate Coupons & Prices

Looking for a caffeine citrate coupon? Caffeine citrate (brand name Cafcit) is a prescription respiratory stimulant used almost entirely in the hospital NICU to treat apnea of prematurity, so it is not something you fill at a retail pharmacy the way you would most medicines. It is available as a generic, which keeps the underlying drug cost low, but cash prices still vary widely from pharmacy to pharmacy. Rx.com compares prices across more than 60,000 U.S. pharmacies so you can see what applies to your situation. Enter your ZIP above to see today's price.

What is caffeine citrate (Cafcit) and how does it work?

Caffeine citrate is a methylxanthine central nervous system stimulant that acts as a respiratory stimulant. It is FDA-approved for the short-term treatment of apnea of prematurity in infants born between 28 and less than 33 weeks gestational age. It works by stimulating the central respiratory center in the brain, helping premature babies breathe more regularly. It is given either intravenously (IV) or by mouth, almost exclusively in the NICU or hospital setting under close medical supervision; it is not a consumer or outpatient product.

Before starting caffeine citrate, doctors rule out or treat other causes of apnea, such as central nervous system disorders, primary lung disease, anemia, sepsis, metabolic or cardiovascular abnormalities, and obstructive apnea. This is a specialized medication managed by the care team, not something started or adjusted at home.

Caffeine citrate cost and savings

Because caffeine citrate is available as a generic, the drug itself is relatively low-cost compared with brand-name medications. Even so, cash prices without insurance can differ a lot depending on the pharmacy, which is exactly why it helps to compare before you fill. Rx.com checks prices across more than 60,000 pharmacies so you can find the lower option near you. Enter your ZIP above to see today's price.

Keep in mind that caffeine citrate is typically administered in the hospital NICU, so most families never fill it at an outpatient pharmacy; hospital billing usually covers it. There is no manufacturer savings card for this product. If you are ever asked to fill an outpatient prescription, an Rx.com coupon is free to use and requires no membership.

Related medications and alternatives

The brand-name version of this medicine is Cafcit; the generic caffeine citrate contains the same active ingredient. Other medications historically used for apnea of prematurity or as respiratory stimulants include aminophylline, theophylline, and doxapram. Caffeine citrate is generally the preferred first-line option in many NICUs, but the choice is always made by the neonatal care team based on the individual infant.

Only a doctor can decide which of these is appropriate. This page is for price comparison and general information, not a recommendation to switch treatments.

Safety information

Caffeine citrate has no boxed warning, but there are important cautions. Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) was observed in the pivotal clinical trial (6 of 85 infants, 3 of them fatal), so the care team watches closely for signs of NEC. It should not be used in infants with a known hypersensitivity to any component. Serum caffeine levels may be monitored periodically to avoid toxicity — serious toxicity is associated with serum levels above 50 mg/L, and seizures have been reported with overdose. Extra caution is used in infants with cardiovascular disease, seizure disorders, or kidney or liver impairment. Tachycardia (fast heart rate), feeding intolerance, and CNS irritability can occur.

An important dosing note: doses are expressed as caffeine citrate, and the caffeine base is one-half that amount (for example, 20 mg of caffeine citrate equals 10 mg of caffeine base). Confusing the two has caused dosing errors. This is not medical advice — dosing, monitoring, and safety decisions are handled by your baby's medical team, so always talk with your provider about any questions.