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Caffeine is an interesting compound. We 'need' it first thing in the morning, when we're working late, and when we've gotten too little sleep the night before. If we don't get enough, we get a headache. Get too much, and get a headache. Sometimes if you have a headache, getting a little caffeine makes it all go away.

What is caffeine anyway? Caffeine in its pure form is a white crystalline powder that alone tastes very bitter. It is found naturally in its highest doses in the coffee bean. It's estimated that more than 90 percent of us consume something with caffeine in it every day. You'll often hear people say they aren't into all that caffeine stuff because they don't drink coffee, but if they eat chocolate, or enjoy tea, or even pop a pain reliever now and then, they get some caffeine in their diet.

A caffeine headache occurs when one of two things has happened: You regularly drink coffee or another caffeinated drink and suddenly don't. You might develop a headache from not getting enough caffeine. As well, you can develop a headache if you consume too much over the course of a single day. For most people, however, they must drink a huge quantity of caffeine before they'll develop a headache from it.

Those who stay away from caffeine might be surprised to discover many best-selling headache remedies on the market contain caffeine. But it's the caffeine that can help relieve pain. If you are suffering from a headache that just won't go away, you can certainly drink a cup of coffee or pour a glass of soda, but you might also avail yourself of one of a best-selling pain reliever.

The Food and Drug Administration regulates how much caffeine can be found in any over the counter or prescription drug. Caffeine also has to be listed as an active ingredient in the drug. What drugs contain caffeine? Let's take a look:

Excedrin is one of the best-selling pain relievers on the market. Recently, its manufacturers got approval to call it a migraine relief headache medicine, and it's likely the caffeine in the drug is the main factor in its headache relieving abilities. Excedrin contains about 65 milligrams per tablet. So if you take two tablets for your headache, you're consuming about 130 milligrams of caffeine, which is about what's found in a cup of coffee (which generally has about 110 to 150 milligrams of caffeine in it).

Other over the counter remedies that contain caffeine include:

Anacin, which has about 32 milligrams per tablet
Midol, which has about 32 milligrams per tablet
Vanquish, which has 33 milligrams per tablet

If you have a headache and need a boost of caffeine for that as well as so you can stay up for some time driving, studying, or working, the stimulant drugs contain larger amounts of caffeine. Vivarin tablets contain about 200 milligrams each.