Caffeine Metabolism and Half-Life in Adults

Factors Influencing Caffeine Half-Life

• Pregnant women should limit caffeine to ≤200-300 mg/day due to a prolonged caffeine half-life of 8.3 hours, more than double the non-pregnant state, as recommended by medical guidelines 1
• Children and adolescents metabolize caffeine more rapidly than adults, with a half-life approximating adult values by 9 months of age 2

Clinical Implications of Caffeine Consumption

• Caffeine consumed in the afternoon or evening can interfere with sleep due to its 2.5-10 hour half-life range 2