FDA News

Connecticut Attorney General Calls For Stronger Warning Labels On Caffeine Pills

(May 2, 2007)-- Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal called on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and a drug manufacturer to strengthen warning labels on NoDoz, a popular over-the-counter caffeine pill.

In letters to the FDA and Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Inc., a Massachusetts company that manufactures NoDoz, Blumenthal said the recent tragic death of a 19-year-old Connecticut boy is terrible and stark evidence that warning labels on NoDoz and other pill form caffeine products are inadequate.

Blumenthal urged stronger warning labels about the possibly severe health consequences of overdosing and caffeine toxicity. He also advised increasing the recommended age of NoDoz use from 12 to 18 - strongly discouraging use by children of the pill form of such stimulants.

"Children lack the maturity and reason to safely regulate the ingestion of caffeine," Blumenthal said. "I hope that Novartis - as a market leader in the supply of perhaps the most widely recognized brand of caffeine pill - will provide these sensible and enhanced warnings to its customers against inappropriate and dangerous use of its product.

"Beverage companies have increasingly targeted youth with energy drinks - a massive marketing movement that has popularized caffeine binging, especially for children. This pervasive push should send a wakeup call to regulators about the significant health risks of caffeine overuse."

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