Caffeine inhalers could become new 'club-drug'

Controversial caffeine inhalers, which officials warn could be the next 'club drug', has sparked outrage in the United States, where doctors fear it could encourage young people to drink excessive amounts of alcohol.

Each canister of the energy product called 'AeroShot' has up to six puffs of 100mg of caffeine powder that is breathed into the mouth where it dissolves instantly and has been launched for people in need of a caffeine fix when liquid energy drinks might be inconvenient, such as during a long flight or car drive.

The tubes contain 100mg of caffeine - the same as a large cup of coffee or three cans of Coca-Cola - but experts have cautioned that they are much easier to abuse than other energy products.

Dr David Edwards, a biomedical engineering professor at Harvard who helped create the product, said AeroShot is safe and does not contain taurine, used to amplify caffeine's effects in energy drinks, the Daily Mail reported.

But US politicians have asserted they are worried that the inhalers will be used as a club drug that young people might take to allow them to drink until they drop.

Taking caffeine while drinking alcohol makes people feel less drunk but it does not lower blood alcohol levels or prevent other side-effects, meaning the concoction can be dangerous, especially for very young people, the elderly, or people with health problems.

NHS guidelines show that caffeine appears to be safe in moderation - up to 500mg per day - but warn about the effects of mixing caffeine and alcohol.

Manufacturer Breathable Foods has insisted that their product is aimed at people with active lifestyles, and not at under-18s.

According to the company, the grey and yellow lipstick-sized canisters are for people in need of a caffeine fix when liquid energy drinks might be inconvenient, like during a long flight or car drive.

But Dr Lisa Ganjhu, a gastro-enterologist based in New York, said people should be aware of how much caffeine they are ingesting.

"You want those ten cups of coffee, it will probably take you a couple of hours to get through all that," she said.

"With these canisters you just puff away and you could be getting all of that within the hour," she added.

An 8,000mg dose of caffeine - the contents of 80 inhalers - could prove to be fatal.

The AeroShot packaging warns people not to consume over three canisters per day. Credit:santabanta.com