Poster (C34)- #STPE58 - KEYWORDS: Caffeine

Lethal case of caffeine overdose: A rare save

Sidharth Bhasin, Pooja Gogia, Arjun Madhavan
SPUH

ABSTRACT:
Caffeine causes mild stimulation at lower doses but ingestion of more than 5 grams can be lethal. Here, we present a case report of a young male who presented to our emergency room with complaints of palpitations and vomiting after intentionally consuming caffeine pills more than 10 times the lethal dose. Significant physical examination was tachycardia at 146 beats per minute and irregular. Rest of all the hemodynamics were within normal limits. Laboratory studies showed elevated white blood cell count with hypocalcemia, hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia. Serum caffeine level was >90 milligrams per liter (mg/L). Electrocardiogram (EKG) showed tachycardia with premature ventricular complexes (PVCs). Patient was managed with intravenous (IV) fluids, electrolytes replacement and hemodialysis in the intensive care unit (ICU). The patient was subsequently discharged on the third day. Thus, this case illustrates the importance of early intervention, monitoring and hemodialysis in the treatment of caffeine poisoning.