Caffeine withdrawal headache

Overview

When you have caffeine every day, your body gets used to it. If you suddenly stop or cut back a lot, your body has to adjust, and that can bring on a headache and other withdrawal symptoms.

It can happen after quitting coffee, tea, soda, or energy drinks, and even after a big cut rather than stopping completely. It's uncomfortable but usually short-lived.

Symptoms

Symptoms start after you cut back on coffee or caffeine.

• Headache, often dull or throbbing
• Fatigue and sleepiness
• Irritability
• Trouble concentrating

Less common

• Low mood
• Nausea
• Muscle aches or stiffness
• Flu-like feeling

How it usually goes

• 12 to 24 hours: Symptoms often start.
• About 1 to 2 days: Symptoms are usually worst.
• 2 to 9 days: Symptoms fade for most people.

Look up a symptom: Cut back on coffee or caffeine · Fatigue · Headache · Muscle twitching

When to get medical care

Causes

Caffeine withdrawal happens when your body, used to regular caffeine, suddenly gets much less. It can follow quitting or cutting back on coffee, tea, soda, energy drinks, or caffeine pills.

Does it spread or run in families?

• It isn't contagious. You can't catch it from someone else.

Who is more likely to get it

• Having caffeine every day
• Stopping suddenly instead of tapering
• A history of frequent headaches or migraine

Diagnosis

There's usually no test. The timing tells the story: the headache starts soon after a drop in your usual caffeine.

Questions you may be asked

• How much caffeine you usually have
• When you cut back and when the headache started
• Other headache symptoms, like nausea or light sensitivity
• Headache medicines you take

The exam

A healthcare professional may check you to rule out other causes if the headache is unusual.

Treatment

The headache usually goes away on its own as your body adjusts.

Self-care

• Cut back slowly, for example by about a quarter every few days, instead of stopping all at once
• Drink water and eat regular meals
• Get enough sleep
• Try a short walk or light activity
• A small amount of caffeine can ease the headache if you're tapering slowly

Medicines

Over-the-counter pain relievers can help for a few days.

If headaches last longer than about 2 weeks, keep coming back, or don't fit this pattern, talk with a healthcare professional.

How it compares

Prevention

You can avoid most caffeine withdrawal:

• Cut back slowly over 1 to 2 weeks
• Keep your daily caffeine steady
• Know how much caffeine is in your drinks

Which doctor treats this

• Start with your primary care provider (family doctor or internist).
• They may send you to a neurologist (brain and nerve doctor).

Back to school, work, or sports

• Most people keep up normal school and work. Rest when you need to.

Children, pregnancy, and older adults

• People with frequent headaches: Caffeine can both ease and add to headaches, depending on timing. Talk with a clinician about your pattern.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

• If you're pregnant or planning to be, tell your prenatal provider about this condition.
• Don't start or stop any medicine on your own. Some are safe in pregnancy and some need to be changed.
• Ask before taking any pain reliever. The FDA advises avoiding ibuprofen and naproxen after 20 weeks unless your doctor says to.
• Breastfeeding: Most medicines are fine, but ask. The NIH LactMed database lists what's known about each one.

Outlook

Caffeine withdrawal is usually short-lived and goes away within a few days to about a week.

Getting ready for your visit

Bring a record of your caffeine and headaches.

What to bring

• How much caffeine you had and when you cut back
• When headaches happen
• Medicines you take

Questions to ask

• Is this from caffeine withdrawal?
• How should I cut back?
• Could something else be causing my headaches?

Research studies

Research studies test new ways to find and treat health problems. Some are looking for volunteers. Talk with your doctor before joining one.

Search ClinicalTrials.gov for studies on Caffeine withdrawal headache