Risks of energy drinks mixed with alcohol.

THE ENERGY DRINK MARKET IS A MULTIBILLIONdollar industry that uses aggressive and innovative marketing strategies to target teens and young adults. Consequently, 31% of young teens and 34% to 51% of 18to 24-year-olds report regular consumption of these products. Energy drinks contain caffeine and often other substances such as guarana (containing guaranine, similar to caffeine), taurine (an amino acid), and sugar derivatives. The primary active ingredient is caffeine, usually with 80 to 141 mg of caffeine per 8 oz (equivalent to a 5-oz cup of coffee or 2 cans of soda). The health effects of energy drinks have received attention from researchers and policy makers because there is limited knowledge about differential effects of caffeine on children and adults and the interaction of caffeine and alcohol. Alcohol mixed with energy drinks (AMED) has become increasingly popular, especially among adolescents and college students. In surveys of college students, as many as 56% report mixing energy drinks with alcohol in the past month. Alcohol mixed with energy drinks includes cocktails served at bars (eg, Red Bull and vodka), premixed caffeinated alcoholic beverages (eg, Four Loco), self-mixed beverages, and alcohol and energy drinks consumed separately but within the same drinking occasion.