Physical Wellness

Powdered Caffeine Overdose Is More Fatal Than Any Other Drug

By Sara Gale | Update Date: May 01, 2016 04:20 AM EDT

Powdered caffeine overdose is found to be more fatal than any other banned drugs like cocaine or heroin. After couple of tragic overdose deaths recorded last year lawmakers are demanding a ban on the sale of powdered caffeine.

Wade Sweatt, a 24-year old passed away in 2014 after ingested a teaspoon of powered caffeine. Sweatt's parents said that he told his wife he felt sick immediately after ingesting it. They also noted that Sweatt had cardiac arrests over and over, the following week. After Sweatt was declared brain dead his parents had to go in for the tragic decision of taking him off the life support, according to The Daily Beast.

"As we found out in the most awful way, while you can survive a heroin overdose, after an overdose on caffeine, there is nothing that medical professionals can do to save you," wrote Sweatt's parents, reported Medical Daily.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the US noted that a teaspoon of powdered caffeine is equivalent to taking 28 cups of coffee at a time. Taking caffeine more than the recommended levels would cause diarrhea and vomiting and an overdose will result in rapid increase in heartbeat, seizures and finally death.

A high school wrestler, Logan Stiner also died of powdered caffeine overdose around the same time while trying to use caffeine just to stay awake. The two incidents pushed FDA to put consumer advisory about powdered caffeine as well as issue warning to the companies that sell the substance. In spite of warnings the access to the substance is easily available online from international sellers.

 "It is astonishing that a substance that is fatal for adults in the amount of 2 tablespoons is sold cheaply over the internet as loose powder in large bags without clear warnings," wrote Laura MacCleery, director of regulatory affairs at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, in a statement. "A ban on such products would allow law enforcement action against any company selling it - not just the five that received a warning letter... It would also send a far clearer signal to the public about the risks."

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