Abstract
Energy drink usage is common and contains caffeine or other stimulants. We evaluated demographics, prevalence, reasons and
adverse effects with consuming energy beverages. Cross-sectional study of a convenience sample of patients recruited from
two San Diego Emergency Departments from January to December 2009. One-thousand-two-hundred-ninety-eight subjects participated
of which 52.6% were male. Ethnicity: Caucasian 48.3%, African American 17%, Hispanic 18%, Other 16.7%. Age ranges: 18–29 years
(38.4%), 30–54 years (49.6%) and greater than 55 years (12%). Reasons for use: 57% to “increase energy”, 9.5% for studying/work
projects, 2.4% while prolonged driving, improve sports performance 2%, with ethanol 6.3%, “other” reasons 22.1%. Adverse reactions
reported by 33.5% (429) patients. Two-hundred-eighty report feeling “shaky/jittery”, insomnia 136, palpitations 150, gastrointestinal
upset 82, headache 68, chest pain 39, and seizures in 6. Eighty-five patients reported co-ingestion with illicit “stimulants”
including cocaine and methamphetamine. We identified one-third of patients reported at least one adverse effect. Whilst most
were not severe, a small number were serious e.g., seizures. In addition, some report purposely ingesting with illicit drugs.
adverse effects with consuming energy beverages. Cross-sectional study of a convenience sample of patients recruited from
two San Diego Emergency Departments from January to December 2009. One-thousand-two-hundred-ninety-eight subjects participated
of which 52.6% were male. Ethnicity: Caucasian 48.3%, African American 17%, Hispanic 18%, Other 16.7%. Age ranges: 18–29 years
(38.4%), 30–54 years (49.6%) and greater than 55 years (12%). Reasons for use: 57% to “increase energy”, 9.5% for studying/work
projects, 2.4% while prolonged driving, improve sports performance 2%, with ethanol 6.3%, “other” reasons 22.1%. Adverse reactions
reported by 33.5% (429) patients. Two-hundred-eighty report feeling “shaky/jittery”, insomnia 136, palpitations 150, gastrointestinal
upset 82, headache 68, chest pain 39, and seizures in 6. Eighty-five patients reported co-ingestion with illicit “stimulants”
including cocaine and methamphetamine. We identified one-third of patients reported at least one adverse effect. Whilst most
were not severe, a small number were serious e.g., seizures. In addition, some report purposely ingesting with illicit drugs.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-6
- DOI 10.1007/s10900-012-9549-9
- Authors
- Sean Patrick Nordt, Department of Emergency Medicine, Section of Toxicology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 1200 North State Street, Room 1011, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
- Gary M. Vilke, San Diego Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
- Richard F. Clark, San Diego Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
- F. Lee Cantrell, California Poison Control System—San Diego Division, San Diego, CA, USA
- Theodore C. Chan, San Diego Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
- Melissa Galinato, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
- Vincent Nguyen, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
- Edward M. Castillo, San Diego Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
- Journal Journal of Community Health
- Online ISSN 1573-3610
- Print ISSN 0094-5145