[Experimental study of the effect of acetylsalicylic acid combined with caffeine regarding possible abuse potential].
Caffeine is suspected to initiate the abuse of caffeine-containing analgesics. To clarify this matter the study investigated the effects of aspirin alone and in combination with caffeine on mood and cardiovascular parameters before, during, and after pain induction through mechanical stimulation. 96 healthy middle-aged women--all habitual coffee drinkers--were randomly designed to receive 0 or 500 mg aspirin together with 0, 50, or 100 mg caffeine administered in a double-blind design. Aspirin did not change ratings of mood scales. Caffeine decreased scores on negative mood scales, especially on the anxiety/sadness scale. The combination of aspirin and caffeine failed to increase any score on scales measuring positive moods. Only a few interactions are noticed. The results do not support the suggestion that caffeine increases the potential for abuse of aspirin.
Hüppe
A
A
Lehrstuhl für Biologische und Klinische Psychologie, Universität Würzburg.
Janke
W
W
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects; D001143:Arousal / Q000187:drug effects; D001241:Aspirin; D002110:Caffeine; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017288:Pain Threshold / Q000187:drug effects; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology*
D002110:Caffeine; D001241:Aspirin