Vivarin^® FAQ

How does Vivarin^® compare to coffee?

Vivarin^® contains 200mg. of caffeine per tablet or caplet. This is about as much caffeine found in a cup of coffee.

Can I use Vivarin as a substitute for sleep?

What does Vivarin^® do? Is it habit forming?

Vivarin^® is approved by the FDA to help restore mental alertness or wakefulness when experiencing fatigue or drowsiness. Vivarin^® is not habit forming when taken as directed. Vivarin^® is for occasional use only.

How soon will I notice Vivarin's effects?

How does Vivarin^® work?

If I am really tired and need a fast pick-up, can I take 2-3 tablets?

No, the correct dosage is 1 tablet not more often than every 3-4 hours for adults and children 12 years and over.

Is Vivarin^® safe? What about side effects?

Yes. When used as directed, Vivarin^® is just as safe as any of the caffeinated products you are familiar with, like coffee, tea, or chocolate. Caffeine-sensitive people may experience mild and short-lived side effects with Vivarin^® use. These side effects can include nervousness, restlessness, irritability, rapid heartbeat, nausea, diarrhea, and dizziness. Certainly, we do not expect these side effects to occur with the use of our product. However, if these or any other side effects do occur, please discontinue use and consult your physician. Vivarin^® should be used as a substitute for other caffeinated products (e.g., coffee), not in addition to them.

Can diabetics take Vivarin^®?

The product contains dextrose (corn sugar), less than 1 calorie and less than 1 gram of carbohydrate per tablet, but check with your healthcare provider.

How old do you have to be to take Vivarin^®? What if teenagers take the product?

Adults and children 12 years and older may take one tablet every 3-4 hours.

The only active ingredient in Vivarin^® is caffeine. The recommended dose contains about as much caffeine as a cup of coffee (200 mg. of caffeine per tablet or caplet). Most adult dosage products are indicated for use by those 12 years of age and older. We certainly don't encourage abuse, and we would hope that it is used appropriately and responsibly.

Do you have any information about long-term use of Vivarin^®?

Each Vivarin^® tablet/caplet contains as its only active ingredient, 200 mg. of caffeine. When taken as directed, Vivarin^® is safe. Based on clinical studies, Vivarin^® has been proven safe and effective for occasional use. Since we have not studied long term use of Vivarin^® , we have no data on this subject. You may want to consult your doctor for further information.

Why did you change the Vivarin^® package directions?

The Vivarin^® label now states "the recommended dose of the product contains about as much caffeine as a cup of coffee." It also states that each tablet contains 200 mg of caffeine. We changed the label due to the fact that someone may consider 8oz to be one cup of coffee, while another person may consider 12oz to be one cup. Also, depending upon whether a cup of coffee is brewed or is instant determines the amount of caffeine in a cup. Therefore, the statement regarding the recommended dose was changed. The important word in the statement is "about".

Are caffeine salts used in Vivarin^®?

No. The caffeine we currently use in Vivarin^® , and have always used, is Caffeine USP, Anhydrous. This is defined by USP as follows: "Caffeine is anhydrous or contains one molecule of water of hydration. It contains not less than 98.5 percent and not more than 101.0 percent of caffeine, calculated on the anhydrous basis." There are several salts of caffeine; however, we do not employ them in the formula for Vivarin^® .