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19 years
If i stop drinking coffee, are there withdrawal symptoms? for how long?
Sep 12, 2013

Dr. Bassem Tanios Nephrology
Yes Caffeine withdrawal symptoms can happen if you stop coffee abruptly.

Symptoms of Caffeine withdrawal include:
Headache (most common) , fatigue, drowsiness, depressed mood, irritability and difficulty concentrating, it can sometimes cause insomnia, nausea, muscle pain and flu-like symptoms.

Not everybody will experience withdrawal symptoms. Caffeine withdrawal may occur after discontinuation of as little as 100 mg of caffeine per day (which is equivalent to a mug of instant coffee per day), however the incidence and severity of withdrawal symptoms increases with higher daily doses.

Usually withdrawal symptoms will appear within 12 to 24 hours after stopping coffee, peak at one to 2 days, and may last up to 9 days.

Withdrawal symptoms are rapidly reversed by caffeine intake.
If you are planning to stop caffeine, especially if you are used to a high daily intake or experience withdrawal symptoms, it is advisable to gradually decrease your coffee intake over a period of few days to a week, to decrease the chances of withdrawal symptoms occuring.
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