Caffeine overdose
Caffeine is a substance that exists naturally in certain plants. It can also be man-made and added to food products. It stimulates the central nervous system and is a diuretic, which means it increases urination.
Caffeine overdose occurs when someone takes in more than a normal or recommended amount. This can be by accident or on purpose.
Overdose
An overdose is when you take more than the recommended amount of something, often a medicine or drug. An overdose may result in serious, harmful sym...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleThis 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), or your local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States.
Poisonous Ingredient
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
- Energy drinks
- Over-the-counter stimulants that help you stay awake such as NoDoz, Vivarin, Caffedrine, and others
- Workout supplements, such as Force Factor Fuego, 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
Breathing trouble
Breathing difficulty may involve:Difficult breathing Uncomfortable breathingFeeling like you are not getting enough air
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Changes in alertness
-
Agitation, confusion, hallucinations
Confusion
Confusion is the inability to think as clearly or quickly as you normally do. You may feel disoriented and have difficulty paying attention, remembe...
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Convulsions (seizures)
Convulsions
A seizure is the physical changes in behavior that occurs during an episode of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. The term "seizure" is often...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Fever
-
Increased thirst
Increased thirst
Excessive thirst is an abnormal feeling of always needing to drink fluids.
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Increased urination
Increased urination
Excessive amount of urination means that your body makes larger than normal amounts of urine each day.
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Irregular heartbeat
Irregular heartbeat
Palpitations are feelings or sensations that your heart is pounding or racing. They can be felt in your chest, throat, or neck. You may:Have an unpl...
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Muscle twitching
Muscle twitching
Muscle twitches are fine movements of a small area of muscle.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Nausea, vomiting
- Rapid heartbeat
- Sleeping trouble
Symptoms in babies may include:
- Muscles that are very tense, then very relaxed
- Nausea, vomiting
- Rapid, deep breathing
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Rapid heartbeat
Rapid heartbeat
Palpitations are feelings or sensations that your heart is pounding or racing. They can be felt in your chest, throat, or neck. You may:Have an unpl...
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Shock
Shock
Shock is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body is not getting enough blood flow. Lack of blood flow means the cells and organs do n...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Tremors
The acute symptoms of caffeine intoxication (overdose, poisoning) and generalized anxiety disorder are almost identical.
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.
Poison control center
For a POISON EMERGENCY call:1-800-222-1222ANYWHERE IN THE UNITED STATESThis national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. This ...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleThis 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:
- Activated charcoal
- Breathing support, which may include oxygen or a ventilator (tube through the mouth into the lungs and breathing machine
- Intravenous fluids (IV, given through a vein)
- Laxative
- Medicine to treat symptoms
- Shock to the heart for serious heart rhythm disturbances
Outlook (Prognosis)
A brief hospital stay may be necessary to complete treatment. In severe cases, death may result from convulsions or an irregular heartbeat.
Reviewed By
Jesse Borke, MD, CPE, FAAEM, FACEP, Attending Physician at Kaiser Permanente, Orange County, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Aronson JK. Caffeine. In: Aronson JK, ed. Meyler's Side Effects of Drugs. 16th ed. Waltham, MA: Elsevier; 2016:7-15.
Meehan TJ. Care of the poisoned patient. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 135.
Zun LS, Nathan JB. Anxiety disorders. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 98.
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