Do energy drinks cause epileptic seizure and ischemic stroke?

Am J Emerg Med. 2013 Jan;31(1):274.e1-4. doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2012.05.018. Epub 2012 Aug 3.

Abstract

Energy drinks are popular among young individuals and marketed to college students, athletes, and active individuals between the ages of 21 and 35 years. We report a case that had ischemic stroke and epileptic seizure after intake of energy drink with alcohol. To the best of our knowledge, the following case is the first report of ischemic stroke after intake of energy drink. A previously healthy 37-year-old man was brought to the emergency department after a witnessed tonic-clonic seizure. According to his wife's testimony, just before loss of consciousness, the patient had been drinking 3 boxes of energy drinks (Redbull, Istanbul, Turkey, 250 mL) with vodka on an empty stomach. He did not have a history of seizures, head trauma, or family history of seizures or another disease. In cranial diffusion magnetic resonance imaging, there were hyperintense signal changes in bilateral occipital area (more pronounced in the left occipital lobe), right temporal lobe, frontal lobe, and posterior parietal lobe. All tests associated with possible etiologic causes of ischemic stroke in young patients were negative. Herein, we want to attract attention to adverse effect of energy drink usage.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anticoagulants / therapeutic use
  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use
  • Energy Drinks / adverse effects*
  • Epilepsy / chemically induced*
  • Epilepsy / drug therapy
  • Heparin / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Stroke / chemically induced*
  • Stroke / drug therapy

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • Anticonvulsants
  • Heparin