Caffeine withdrawal hazardous
By D. Q. Haney - AP Science Writer (10/15/92)

Boston (AP) - Got a headache? Feel a little anxious? Sluggish? Depressed? It could be caffeine withdrawal.

A study published today found that people who are used to a couple of cups of coffee or several cans of caffeinated soda can feel downright lousy if they miss their daily fix.

"Anyone who drinks 2 or more servings of caffeinated beverages per day is at risk for possible withdrawal effects, " commented Dr. John R. Hughes of the University of VT.

Experts have long known that caffeine withdrawal could be a problem for people who gulp vast amounts of coffee. But the new study found that average drinkers can also suffer if they miss their daily jolt.

The problem is going cold turkey. Easing back over a few days seems to minimize the risk.

The symptoms reach their worst after a day or two and then usually taper off within a week. How bad are they? The unidentified people who took part in the experiment had these comments:

-"I felt like I had the flu, a severe headache, extreme fatigue."

-I felt "sad, uncertain about the future, a general feeling of glum."

-"I had a severe headache (that) progressed into vomiting, flu-like symptoms. I can only compare that sickness to the radiation and (chemotherapy) treatment of the past year" for cancer.

Dr. Roland R. Griffiths, senior author of the study at Johns Hopkins University, said his work does not imply that caffeine is unhealthy. "It's not bad as long as you keep taking it," he said.

But he said the work has implications for doctors as well as coffee, tea and soda drinkers.

For instance, when patients come in complaining of headaches, fatigue and other such symptoms, doctors should ask them about the possibility of caffeine withdrawal.

Doctors should also reconsider routinely asking patients to give up caffeine before undergoing medical procedures or for other health reasons.

"We need to have some sensitivity to the impact of abruptly withdrawing caffeine," Griffiths said. "If it's unnecessary, it should not be done."

The study, in today's New England Journal of Medicine, was conducted on 44 women and 18 men, ages 18-50. All were average caffeine users. They were told they were taking part in research on the effects of chemicals in their food.

They were asked to avoid consuming anything with caffeine and a variety of other substances. Then they were given capsules containing either sugar or the amount of caffeine in 2 cups of coffee.

On their caffeine-free days, half the participants suffered moderate to severe headaches. About 10% complained of fatigue, depression, anxiety and moodiness. These symptoms were rare on days when they were getting caffeine.

The researchers cited statistics suggesting that about 82% of U.S. adults consume an average of 227 mgs of caffeine daily-about the same amount given in the capsules in Griffiths' study.

One cup of coffee, 2 cups of tea or 3 cans of caffeinated soft drinks all contain about 100 mgs of caffeine.