SOFT 2004 Meeting Abstracts - Society of Forensic Toxicologists
SOFT 2004 Meeting Abstracts - Society of Forensic Toxicologists
SOFT 2004 Meeting Abstracts - Society of Forensic Toxicologists
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PS7 <br />
CAFFEINE INTOXICA nON: MORE THAN JUST CREAM AND SUGAR<br />
Sarah Kerrigan* and Tania Lindsey. <br />
New Mexico Department <strong>of</strong> Health, Scientific Laboratory Division, Toxicology Bureau. PO Box 4700, <br />
Albuquerque, NM 87196-4700, <br />
Caffeine is a mild central nervous stimulant that occurs naturally in c<strong>of</strong>fee beans, cocoa beans and tea<br />
leaves. In large doses, it can be pr<strong>of</strong>oundly toxic, resulting in arrhythmia, tachycardia, vomiting,<br />
convulsions, coma and death, The average cup <strong>of</strong> c<strong>of</strong>fee or tea in the United States is reported to contain<br />
between 40 and 100 mg caffeine, Over-the-counter supplements that are used to combat fatigue typically<br />
contain 100 mg caffeine per tablet and doses <strong>of</strong> 32-200 mg are included in a variety <strong>of</strong> prescription drug<br />
mixtures.<br />
Caffeine was quantitatively determined in five cups <strong>of</strong> c<strong>of</strong>fee purchased from local retail outlets. The total<br />
amount <strong>of</strong> caffeine per 160z (473mL) cup ranged from 211-342 mg, Fatal caffeine overdoses in adults are<br />
relatively rare and require the ingestion <strong>of</strong> a large quantity <strong>of</strong> the drug, typically in excess <strong>of</strong> 5g, Over a<br />
period <strong>of</strong> approximately 12 months our <strong>of</strong>fice reported two cases <strong>of</strong> fatal caffeine intoxication. The first<br />
fatality may have occurred due to misidentification <strong>of</strong> the drug, and the second occurred after misuse <strong>of</strong> a<br />
dietary supplement.<br />
Case #1 involved a 39 year-old female with a past history if intravenous drug use. She was found<br />
unresponsive outside a restaurant. A syringe was found near the body. Blood samples were negative for<br />
ethanol and common drugs <strong>of</strong> abuse. Comprehensive toxicology analysis using gas chromatography mass<br />
spectrometry (GC/MS) revealed a caffeine concentration <strong>of</strong> 192 mgIL in femoral blood. The cause <strong>of</strong> death<br />
was ruled as caffeine intoxication and the manner was accidental.<br />
Case #2 involved a 29 year-old male with a history <strong>of</strong> obesity and diabetes who was admitted to the<br />
hospital with vomiting and seizures. Resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful. The family reported that he<br />
had taken a dietary supplement the day before. Toxicology results indicated a caffeine concentration <strong>of</strong> 567<br />
mglL in the femoral blood. The cause <strong>of</strong> death was ruled as caffeine intoxication and the manner was<br />
accidental.<br />
Keywords: Caffeine, Intoxication, GCMS<br />
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