Acute caffeine ingestion fatalities: management issues
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 1, 2026

A Novel Approach for the Administration of Medications and Fluids in Emergency Scenarios and Settings
Published on: November 9, 2016
1Panhandle Poison Center, Northwest Texas Healthcare System Inc, Amarillo 79175, USA.
Abstract:
Caffeine is used and abused on a daily basis in different beverages, OTC products, and as a prescribed medication. The strength varies widely from negligible in decaffeinated drinks to medicinal grade of 200 mg/tablet. A total of 7,655 exposures were recorded in 1995 by the AAPCC Toxic Exposure Surveillance System with no fatality. However, within a 4-mo period, the Panhandle Poison Center recorded 2 deaths due to caffeine overdose. The abrupt onset of intractable seizures needs to be anticipated in order to appropriately manage the victims and to prevent the adverse outcome.
Related Concept Videos
Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Treatment Strategies
Prevention of Further Absorption of Poison
Anticholinesterase Agents: Poisoning and Treatment
Irreversible agents form a strong bond with the cholinesterase enzyme, making it inactive. The breakdown of the phosphorylated enzyme is slower than the...
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation IV: Pharmacological Management
Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Potential Scenarios
Acute Respiratory Failure-III
