Effects of amino acid energy drinks leading to hospitalization in individuals with mental illness.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this case report is to highlight the possible dangers in individuals with prior psychiatric illness of the use of amino acid and caffeine-containing drinks marketed as energy drinks to combat mental and physical fatigue.


METHODS
We report on three patients with known psychiatric illness who demonstrated sequelae following use of these beverages with probable association with clinical deterioration leading to hospitalization.


RESULTS
In all three cases, hospitalizations were associated with deterioration of mental state, manifested, amongst other symptoms, by hypervigilance, psychomotor unease and intensified affected responses.


CONCLUSIONS
While a casual relationship between the use of these drinks and hospitalization cannot be definitively stated, the close temporal association between the two cannot be ignored. Use of these beverages by individuals with prior psychiatric illness should be with caution and the use of energy drinks may be relevant in the patients' evaluations.
Chelben
Joseph
J
Department of Psychiatry, Beer Yaakov Mental Health Center, PO Box 1, Beer Yaakov 70350, Israel. chelben@beer-ness.health.gov.il
Piccone-Sapir
Anna
A
Ianco
Iulian
I
Shoenfeld
Netta
N
Kotler
Moshe
M
Strous
Rael D
RD
D000328:Adult; D000596:Amino Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002110:Caffeine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004326:Drinking; D005221:Fatigue / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders; D005222:Mental Fatigue / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control
D000596:Amino Acids; D002110:Caffeine