Caffeine Toxicity

Excerpt

Caffeine is a stimulant that has been utilized globally for centuries, secondary to its ability to improve mental alertness. As many as 85% of Americans consume caffeine daily, with the average cup of coffee containing anywhere from 40 to 150 mg of caffeine. Caffeine can be found in many over-the-counter preparations (energy drinks, appetite suppressants, stimulants, exercise supplements, decongestants, bronchodilators, and mental stimulants), increasing the risk of toxicity with inadvertent overuse or severe toxicity with an intentional overdose.

Lethal doses of caffeine have been reported at blood concentrations of 80 to 100 micrograms/ml, which can be reached with ingestion of approximately 10 grams or greater.