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Review
. 2021 Sep 22;13(10):1532.
doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13101532.

Interaction of Energy Drinks with Prescription Medication and Drugs of Abuse

Olga Hladun  1   2 , Esther Papaseit  1   2 , Soraya Martín  1 , Ana Maria Barriocanal  1   2 , Lourdes Poyatos  1   2 , Magí Farré  1   2 , Clara Pérez-Mañá  1   2
Affiliations
Review

Interaction of Energy Drinks with Prescription Medication and Drugs of Abuse

Olga Hladun et al. Pharmaceutics. .

Abstract

In recent years, the consumption of energy drinks (EDs) has become increasingly popular, especially among adolescents. Caffeine, a psychostimulant, is the main compound of EDs which also contain other substances with pharmacological effects. This review aims to compile current evidence concerning the potential interactions between EDs, medicines, and drugs of abuse as they are frequently consumed in combination. The substances involved are mainly substrates, inductors or inhibitors of CYP1A2, psychostimulants, alcohol and other depressant drugs. Furthermore, intoxications reported with EDs and other substances have also been screened to describe acute toxicity. The results of our review show that the consumption of both EDs alone and in combination is not as safe as previously thought. Health professionals and consumers need to be aware of the potential interactions of these drinks as well as the absence of long-term safety data.

Keywords: caffeine; drug interactions; energy drinks; pharmacokinetics.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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