Caffeine overdose occurs when someone takes in more than a normal or recommended amount. This can be by accident or on purpose, and caffeine can be harmful in large amounts.
Where Found
Caffeine is an ingredient in these products:
•Certain soft drinks (such as Pepsi, Coke, Mountain Dew)
•Certain teas
•Chocolate, including hot chocolate drinks
•Coffee
•Over-the-counter stimulants that help you stay awake such as Vivarin, Caffedrine, and others
•Workout supplements, such as Red Bull and 5-hour Energy drinks, and many more
Other products may also contain caffeine.
Symptoms
Symptoms of caffeine overdose in adults may include:
•Breathing trouble
•Changes in alertness
•Agitation, confusion, hallucinations
•Convulsions
•Diarrhea
•Dizziness
•Fever
•Increased thirst
•Increased urination
•Irregular heartbeat
•Muscle twitching
•Nausea, vomiting
•Rapid heartbeat
•Sleeping trouble
Symptoms in babies may include:
•Muscles that are very tense, then very relaxed
•Nausea, vomiting
•Rapid, deep breathing
•Rapid heartbeat
•Shock
•Tremors
Home Care
Seek medical help right away. Do NOT make the person throw up unless poison control or a health care provider tells you to do so.
Before Calling Emergency
Have this information ready:
•Person's age, weight, and condition
•Name of the product (ingredients and strength, if known)
•Time it was swallowed
•Amount swallowed
Poison Control
Your local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.
This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison control. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
What to Expect at the Emergency Room
Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.
The provider will measure and monitor the person's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure.
Tests that may done include:
•Blood and urine tests
•Chest x-ray
•ECG (electrocardiogram, or heart tracing)
Treatment may include:
•Intravenous fluids (given through a vein)
•Medicine to treat symptoms
•Activated charcoal
•Laxative
•Shock to the heart for serious heart rhythm disturbances
•Breathing support, including tube through the mouth into the lungs and breathing machine (ventilator)
Outlook (Prognosis)
A brief hospital stay may be necessary to complete treatment. In severe cases, death may result from convulsions or an irregular heartbeat.
This article is for information only. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual overdose. If you or someone you are with overdoses, call your local emergency number (such as 911).
From: medlineplus.gov