NY Times: FDA investigating 13 deaths possibly associated with 5-Hour Energy shots

November 17, 2012, 12:31 am

The New York Times reported this week that the Food and Drug Administration is investigating 13 reports of deaths occurring over the last 4 years in which 5-Hour Energy caffeinated energy shot was cited. (Although the Times calls 5-Hour Energy a “highly caffeinated energy shot”, according to study by Forbes Magazine a 2-oz shot contains 150-210 mg caffeine, considerably less than a Vente or Grande cup of Starbucks.)

The agency is also looking into more than 30 filings of severe or life-threatening reactions — myocardial infarctions, seizures, spontaneous abortion — in which 5-Hour Energy is mentioned. The Times article points out that these filings do not prove that the energy supplement caused or contributed to any of the clinical outcomes.

F.D.A. investigating 5 deaths possibly associated with caffeinated “energy” drinks

Toxicity of high-caffeine “energy” drinks

Caffeinated energy drinks: do they cause significant acute toxicity

Energy drinks: pediatric effects

Fatal caffeine overdose

Posted in Medical by Leon