Caffeine Toxicity Due to Supplement Use in Caffeine--Naïve Individual: A Cautionary Tale

Thousands of military members self-medicate with dietary supplements containing unknown quantities of pharmacologically active compounds. These poorly regulated substances can cause real harm to the military population, especially when they contain stimulants such as caffeine. When taken regularly,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Military medicine 2015-08, Vol.180 (8), p.e936-e940
Main Authors: Lystrup, Robert M, Leggit, Jeffery C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Anxiety - chemically induced
Anxiety - diagnosis
Anxiety - physiopathology
Caffeine - poisoning
Central Nervous System Stimulants - poisoning
Dietary Supplements - poisoning
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Male
Military Personnel
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Summary:Thousands of military members self-medicate with dietary supplements containing unknown quantities of pharmacologically active compounds. These poorly regulated substances can cause real harm to the military population, especially when they contain stimulants such as caffeine. When taken regularly, caffeine has several performance-enhancing benefits. However, when used excessively or in vulnerable populations, caffeine can cause several unwanted side effects such as nervousness, sensory disturbances, insomnia, arrhythmia, excitability, inattentiveness, restlessness, mood changes, gastrointestinal disturbances, and even psychosis. Vulnerable patients include the caffeine-naïve, physiologically stressed, young, and mentally ill patients. One such case describes a caffeine-naïve service member who suffered an adverse reaction after taking an allegedly moderate dose of caffeine from a pill he obtained from a teammate. This case highlights the importance of supplement awareness among service members, increased provider vigilance, third party verification, and enhanced regulation on the approval and marketing of dietary supplements.
ISSN:0026-4075
1930-613X
DOI:10.7205/MILMED-D-15-00045