Caffeine tablets and caffeine gum: how much caffeine?
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Caffeine tablets and caffeine gum are concentrated sources of caffeine. Tablets sold in the UK commonly contain 50–200 mg per tablet and caffeine gum usually 50–100 mg per piece, so one serving can match one or two cups of coffee. The amount must be on the label, and it counts towards the same daily total as coffee, tea and energy drinks.
Key points
• Caffeine tablets: commonly 50–200 mg per tablet. Check the label.
• Caffeine gum: usually 50–100 mg per piece.
• The FSA and Food Standards Scotland say caffeine from supplements must be counted with coffee, tea and energy drinks.
• Pure caffeine powder is especially risky: a UK death was linked to a miscalculated dose.
Table of contents
- How much caffeine is in a caffeine tablet?
- How much caffeine is in caffeine gum?
- Tablets and gum vs coffee and energy drinks
- How they are sold and labelled in the UK
- Caffeine powder: the official warning
- FAQ
How much caffeine is in a caffeine tablet?
It depends on the product. Caffeine tablets sold in the UK commonly contain 50 mg, 100 mg or 200 mg per tablet. Some are sold as licensed medicines and some as food supplements; either way, the caffeine per tablet is on the pack.
How much caffeine is in caffeine gum?
Caffeine gum usually contains around 50–100 mg of caffeine per piece. Check the pack for the exact amount and the maximum number of pieces per day.
Tablets and gum vs coffee and energy drinks
| Source | Caffeine |
|---|---|
| Caffeine tablet | commonly 50–200 mg (check label) |
| Caffeine gum, 1 piece | usually 50–100 mg (check label) |
| Instant coffee, 1 cup | about 100 mg |
| Energy drink, 250 ml | about 80 mg |
| Tea, 1 cup | about 75 mg |
| Optimal Native Morning Energy / Daily Flow, 1 pouch | 200 mg / 75 mg |
Work out your own total: caffeine calculator.
Drinks: NHS. More: Caffeine in an espresso · Caffeine in Monster and Red Bull
Unlike a cup of coffee, tablets, gum and pouches state the caffeine per serving, so the amount is known. That also makes it easy to take a lot in a short time, so count every source.
How they are sold and labelled in the UK
Caffeine products sold as food supplements fall under UK food law. The label must state the amount of caffeine, and products with added caffeine must carry the warning "Contains caffeine. Not recommended for children or pregnant women". Food Standards Scotland and the FSA have reminded businesses of these labelling and composition rules (FSS and FSA, September 2024).
Their advice to consumers: count caffeine from supplements together with coffee, tea and energy drinks. Up to 400 mg a day is unlikely to cause adverse effects in adults, and 200 mg a day is recommended in pregnancy. More: How much caffeine is too much? · Caffeine in pregnancy
Caffeine powder: the official warning
The FSS and FSA guidance followed a UK case in which a man died after miscalculating the amount of caffeine powder he was meant to use: the dose was equivalent to up to 200 cups of coffee. The agencies say caffeine powder and highly concentrated caffeine supplements can be particularly potent, and that people should follow the dosage instructions and use precise measuring tools.
According to the same guidance, at very high levels caffeine can cause anxiety, sleeplessness, agitation, palpitations, diarrhoea and restlessness, and the effects may be more severe in people who are sensitive to caffeine or have conditions such as heart disease or high blood pressure. More: Caffeine powder: UK safety guidance and facts
FAQ
Is a 200 mg caffeine tablet a lot?
200 mg is about two cups of instant coffee. EFSA considers single doses of up to 200 mg safe for healthy adults (EFSA, 2015), and it counts towards your 400 mg daily total.
How much caffeine is in caffeine gum?
Usually 50–100 mg per piece. Check the pack.
Are caffeine tablets legal in the UK?
Yes. They are sold as licensed medicines or as food supplements, with the caffeine stated on the pack.
Can I take caffeine tablets with coffee?
The FSA and FSS say caffeine from supplements should be counted together with coffee, tea and energy drinks.
Read next: How much caffeine is too much? · What is caffeine snus? · How long does caffeine last?
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