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The Dangers of Energy Drinks and Alcohol

Published March 8, 2011 alcohol , Human Resources , teen drug use , Tests and Services , toxicology , Uncategorized Leave a Comment

When you consume a combination of Uppers and Downers, do they cancel each other out?

The answer is No. Since the latest fad drink, Four Loko, hit the scene, red flags have been raised with law enforcement and physicians around the country. Why are they worried about this drink?

Mixing caffeine with alcohol is nothing new. Party goers and bar patrons have been combining these two substances ever since energy drinks hit the market. But it wasn’t until recently that they were both sold in one colorful can.

The “Four” in Four Loko came from the main ingredients: alcohol, caffeine, taurine and guarana. These drinks also include carbonated water, sugar and natural and artificial flavoring.

Taurine is an organic acid. Despite being present in many energy foods, it has not been proven to be energy giving.

Guarana is an effective stimulant that contains twice the caffeine found in coffee beans. A review published by the Journal of the American Pharmacists Association states that the amounts of taurine and guarana found in popular energy drinks are far below the amounts expected to deliver therapeutic benefits or unfavorable actions. But like most things in excess, too much guarana may contribute (alone or in combination with caffeine and taurine) to onset of seizures in some people.

Caffeine is a stimulant. It increases blood pressure and heart rate. Caffeine can cause headaches, jitteriness, agitation, stomach problems and abnormal breathing. It’s the equivalent of an adrenaline rush.

On the other hand, alcohol is a depressant. Alcohol slows down the brain’s functioning and impairs one’s ability to walk, talk and think clearly. Combined, the stimulant and the depressant do not cancel each other out. “Some people have the idea that the caffeine will negate the effect of alcohol, but that’s simply not true,” said Glenn Whelan, assistant professor at the University of South Florida’s College of Pharmacy.

According to Dr. Anthony Cardell, a cardiologist at Centre Medical and Surgical Associates, consuming one can (of Four Loko) equals about three glasses of wine or three to four bottles of beer. The caffeine content is about 135 milligrams, which is the equivalent of three cola sodas, one and a half Red Bulls or one cup of Starbucks coffee.

The main problem is that caffeine appears to override the natural sleepiness that occurs when someone drinks alcohol. Caffeine also postpones that feeling of drunkenness, so those who mix alcohol and caffeine in a drink are likely to keep drinking beyond their normal limits.

Scientists aren’t exactly sure how the body processes the mixture of caffeine and alcohol because the combination (based on the quantity found in alcoholic energy drinks) is too dangerous to test on humans in scientific experiments.

Researchers from the University of Florida conducted a study in 2008 where they interviewed college-age adults leaving bars. They found that bar patrons who reported drinking alcohol mixed with energy drinks (6.5 percent of study participants) were three times more likely to be intoxicated than the drinkers who consumed alcohol only. The average breath-alcohol concentration reading for those who mixed alcohol and energy drinks, was 0.109. Consumers of energy drink cocktails also left bars later at night, drank for longer periods of time, ingested more grams of ethanol and were four times more likely to express an intention to drive within an hour than patrons who drank alcohol only.

Like the conclusion in most of the articles written on this subject, the fact is, you should always drink responsibly. If you choose to drink, know what you are consuming. Know the dangers of mixing alcohol and caffeine. On the home page of the Four Loko website, their is information on how to drink responsibly and several links to responsible drinking resources.

References:

  • Clauson, KA; Shields, KM; McQueen, CE; Persad, N. “Safety issues associated with commercially available energy drinks”. Journal of the American Pharmacists Association : JAPhA 48 (3): e55–63
  • Johannes, Laura (March 2, 2010). “Can a Caffeine-Packed Plant Give a Boost?”. The Wall Street Journal: p. D3
  • Iyadurai SJ, Chung SS (May 2007). “New-onset seizures in adults: possible association with consumption of popular energy drinks”. Epilepsy Behav 10 (3): 504–8
  • “Dicey alcohol-caffeine mix not fully understood” Article from: The Washington Post Article date: December 5, 2010 Author: Linda Shrieves Copyright

The Dangers of New Fad Drugs

Published February 17, 2011 Ivory Wave , K2 , Poisoning , Spice , Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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We’ve recently shared with you some information related to the new fad drugs that are currently legal. With more kids ending up in the emergency room, there are more and more details surfacing about danger of these drugs.

In our recent article Rub-a-dub-dub, Drugs in my tub? We told you a little bit about the latest fad drug, bath salt, which has been banned in Europe and is now getting the attention of teens in America. Recent articles say that this drug is much worse than the other fad drug, fake marijuana, K2 or Spice.

According to Dr. J Ward Donovan, central Pennsylvania’s go-to doctor for emergency room physicians on poison questions, since November he has averaged a call a day about bath salt or “synthetic cocaine.” Donovan says that synthetic cocaine is really a synthetic amphetamine like product, meaning its chemical makeup is more similar to meth.

Unfortunately blogs and internet message boards talk about the legal substitute for cocaine becoming all the rage. Being high on fake cocaine has some similarity to the high from smoking synthetic marijuana. The difference, Donovan said, is this: A mild reaction to bath salt is comparable to a bad trip of K2.

Bath salts also come with side effects like delusion, confusion, violence, agitation, high blood pressure, sweating and fast heart rate. According to Donovan, there is one upswing. You can’t get addicted to it.

Rust Payne, spokesman for the federal Drug Enforcement Agency says, “We’re hearing a lot of reports. Poison centers, emergency rooms… The same trends among teens.”

Like synthetic marijuana, bath salts are being sold in head shops. The powdery white substance is priced by the gram and looks like cocaine.

Both synthetic marijuana and bath salts are extremely dangerous. Be smart. Just because something isn’t illegal doesn’t mean it is harmless. There are a lot of unsafe substances out there. These new fad drugs are just two examples.

Tips for Parents from www.theantidrug.com

Get Educated: Learn as much as you can.

Have the Talk: Let them know that you know.

Be Specific: Tell your kids what you see and how you feel about it.

Don’t Make Excuses: You’re not helping if you make excuses for why they miss school or family functions if you suspect drug use.

Remain Calm: Don’t get mad, or start accusing. Be firm, but loving.

Top Signs that Point to Prescription Drug Abuse

Published February 3, 2011 drug testing , Occupational medicine , Prescription Drugs , Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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If you are worried about a friend or loved one abusing prescription drugs, you aren’t alone. The use and abuse of prescription drugs has amplified in the last 20 years.

According to the Center for Disease Control, narcotic prescription use rose 1,000 percent in the U.S. between 1990 and 2009. As well, nationally we experienced a 500 percent increase in the number of prescription narcotic-related deaths.

Psychiatrist and author, Stephen Seager, wrote an article on the dangers of abusing prescription health meds. In this article he states, in an effort to treat pain more effectively and with the advent of may newer forms of opiod (narcotic) pain relievers – Oxycontin, Lortab, Methadone, Percodan, Percocet, Tramadol, Fentanyl – millions of Americans now take these medications on a regular basis for a wide range of diagnoses. While generally meant for short-term use, opiate pain medications have slowly been used for longer periods and for many ailments previously untreated with narcotics. While some benefit has been noted, an unfortunate, tragic consequence ensued.

We find ourselves in the midst of what the U.S. government and many state health agencies have called an accelerating “epidemic of prescription drug misuse, addiction and overdose.” This new narcotic epidemic seems to be almost the exclusive province of middle-age and older people. The number of narcotic overdose cases peaks in the 34-54 age group, while the total number of people who overdose in their 60s, 70s and 80s has doubed in the past five years. Before you or some one you love becomes a statistic, be aware of the seven sure signs of narcotic addiction and impending problems.

• Has a trusted loved one or family member expressed concern about your prescription opiate use?

• Do you have more than one doctor who prescribes the same medication? Or multiple prescriptions from multiple providers?

• Do you have medications secretly hidden in more than one location around your home?

• Have you taken these medications on a regular basis for more than two weeks? Or a month?

• Do these medications help you to function? Have you returned to work? If not, why? What tasks do the medications help you to perform? If you cannot answer these questions and you continue taking opiates, this is a very dangerous sign.

• Take a step back and look at your life since you began taking opiate medications. Are things getting better or worse? Have bad things begun to happen? Lose your job? Wreck your car? Divorce? Arrest?

• Last, and most importantly, have you ever been admitted to a hospital, for any reason, due to prescription drug use?

Solutions to the national prescription opiate problem are elusive and multi-factorial. But two issues stand out. Doctors give these medications too liberally, for longer periods than are warranted and for pain issues that might better be treated by other modalities. But patients ask for these medications specifically and often insist upon them. More education on both parts seems to be in order.

If these medications are part of your life or the life of someone about whom you care, take a look at the issue of opiate use. Be honest. Talk with your family. Talk with your doctor. Ask if there aren’t other less dangerous medications that might also be effective. Ask if there are other treatment options — physical therapy, acupuncture, support groups — which might allow you to talk a lower dose of narcotic medications or perhaps wean off them entirely. And, equally importantly, discuss whether a formal drug detox and rehabilitation program might be needed.

Stephen Seager is a psychiatrist and author of “The God Gene: The Promise of Prometheus.” Please click here for more information.

What to Expect for 2011

Published January 14, 2011 Uncategorized Leave a Comment

We’ve checked our stats and this is what you liked the most. Here are the top three posts of 2010.

“A mother’s view: Smoking K2 Became Fatal Error for Son”

“Arsenic Poisoning – Beyond Medieval Political Assassinations”

“K2, Spice and The Secret Ingredient, JWH018″

What would you like to see in 2011? Please give us your feedback on topics to cover. Thanks for your help!

Comprehensive K2 Legislation in TX

Published January 13, 2011 Cannabinoids , drug testing , Human Resources , JWH-018 , K2 , Occupational health , Occupational medicine , Spice , student drug testing , teen drug use , Tests and Services , toxicology , Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Read more about the new bill being brought to the Texas Senate this week. It is the most comprehensive bill in the country!

http://www.texasinsider.org/?p=40588

Do You Require Drug Testing for Your Employees?

Published January 12, 2011 alcohol , drug testing , Drug-Free Work Week , Tests and Services , Uncategorized 5 Comments
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Many employers require drug testing as part of their pre-employment assessment process, and may include periodic random drug testing and for-cause and post-accident drug and alcohol testing as part of their company’s workplace substance abuse program.  Nearly 75% of all adult illicit drug users are employed, as are most binge and heavy alcohol users1 and problems related to alcohol and drug abuse cost American businesses roughly $81 billion in lost productivity in just one year2.

Drug and alcohol use by employees result in:

  • Risk, safety and liability issues
  • Loss of production
  • Higher absenteeism and consistent tardiness
  • Increased worker’s compensation costs and claims
  • Increased incidences of theft, embezzlement and other crimes
  • Higher employee turnover
  • Employee behavior issues that affect a company’s morale, culture and image

In fact, industries with the highest rates of drug use are the same as those at a high risk for occupational injuries, such as construction, mining, manufacturing and wholesale3.  These same employers must also be diligent in screening, monitoring and caring for prospective candidates and employees who may work in high risk occupations through more specialized occupational health testing.

Toxic Toys This Holiday Season

Published December 17, 2010 Uncategorized Leave a Comment

Why do your kids need “healthy toys?”

HealthyStuff.org has tested thousands of toys since 2007. Their intension is to help consumers with the information they need to make better choices when purchasing toys and other children’s products. The most recent Toy Test Screening Results are now posted.

http://www.healthystuff.org/departments/toys/product.tmsresults.php?bn=36

Some of the key findings include:

  • Levels of lead continue to decline in toys and children’s products. While lead was detected in 61% of products, none of the products contained lead at over 300 ppm (the current CPSIA limit for lead in substrates).
  • Far too many toys and children’s products continue to be made out of PVC.  78% of the products tested contained PVC in one or more components.
  • Toys and children’s product’s still contain too many other chemical hazards.  48% had cadmium levels greater then 40 ppm; 77% had tin levels greater than 40 ppm.

The information on HealthyStuff.org is meant to provide general information to the public on whether or not certain chemicals were detected in tested consumer products. HealthyStuff.org did NOT conduct studies to determine if the chemicals of concern will migrate or come out of the product, causing a direct exposure. Therefore, HealthyStuff.org can not determine whether the presence of these chemicals in a product results in human exposure, nor can HealthyStuff.org estimate the health risk posed by any product. Studies intended to examine whether or not chemicals of concern do come out of products under various conditions can be done. Some manufacturers report having done studies of this kind. Please contact manufacturers directly if you are interested in that information.

The test results shown on the site apply only to the specific products tested. Earlier or later versions of the same products may contain different chemical formulations.

September is Cancer Awareness Month

Published September 14, 2010 Cancer , leukemia , March for Babies , March of Dimes , Tests and Services , toxicology , Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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As September is Cancer awareness month, Expertox is proud to recognize Eric Helmreich, a 22 year survivor of AML, Acute Myeloid Leukemia, and current Lab Technician of Expertox forensic toxicology.  Eric, who received his diagnosis when he was just 2 years old, was the first ontologous bone marrow transplant – meaning he donated bone marrow to himself – at Texas Children’s Hospital, a client of Expertox. 

After winning his battle with cancer, Eric’s family, as well as a small group of other families who endured the drama of childhood cancer, formed the Houston area Candlelighters association, www.candle.org, to provide practical and emotional support to other families battling childhood cancer.  Eric, as he has gotten older, became a valuable member of Candlelighters assisting with many of their fundraising activities and moral support ventures to benefit local families affected by childhood cancer. 

The next event is a weekend camp where entire families affected by a child’s diagnosis come to relax and escape.  Candlelighters covers all the camp expenses for the familes thanks to generous donations at fundraising events such as their annual Golf Tournament at Wildcat Golf Course coming this April 2011.  To assist Eric in his ventures of helping local families please donate to Candlelighters at www.candle.org and/or register to be a blood, organ, and/or marrow donor through the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center at www.giveblood.org.  Nothing can be done to prevent childhood cancer, but much can be done to support those affected.

Common Medications Can Poison My Pet?

Published September 9, 2010 Animal , Food Poisoning , Pet , Pet Poisoning , Poisoning , toxicology , Toxins , Uncategorized 3 Comments
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Did you know that things you consider to be safe can be very dangerous to your pet? According to the VPI Pet Insurance company, poisonings cost dog and cat owner policy holders almost $7 million over a four-year period between 2005 and 2009.

The number one cause of poisoning was accidental ingestion of medications, human and pet. Wow! The very thing that we take to make us feel better – can hurt our pet. The truth is, with just a little bit of care, this can be prevented. Put all medications up and out of reach from pets (yes, just as you would from little children), keep all lids on the medications. Last year alone, the ASPCA handled over 45,000 calls regarding prescription and over the counter drugs that pets had ingested!

According to the ASPCA, the most common human medications that cause poisoning are the following:

  1. NSAIDS
  2. Antidepressants
  3. Acetaminophen
  4. Methylphenidate (for ADHD)
  5. Fluorouracil (for Cancer)
  6. Isoniazid (for Tuberculosis)
  7. Pseudoephedrine
  8. Antidiabetics
  9. Vitamin D derivatives

10.  Baclofen (muscle relaxant)

If you think that your dog or cat has been poisoned, contact the ASPCA’s Poison Control Center hotline at 1-888-426-4435.

Back to School and Immunizations

Published August 16, 2010 Human Resources , Immunization , Occupational health , Occupational medicine , student drug testing , Tests and Services , Uncategorized , Vaccine Leave a Comment

August is National Immunization Awareness month.  This is the perfect time to remind family, friends and co-workers about immunizations.  Parents are enrolling their children in school, young adults are preparing to enter college and employers are planning for this year’s flu season. 

Vaccines offer safe and effective protection from many infectious diseases.  Getting immunized is a life-long life protecting community effort, everyone from infants to the elderly need to keep current on their immunizations.   Immunization is one of the most significant public health achievements in the past century.  Several diseases such as small pox and polio have been eradicated due to vaccines.  There are still cases of measles, diphtheria, rubella (chicken pox), and pertussis  (whooping cough) in the  U.S. and adults and children still die from these and other vaccine preventable diseases.

Children attending school in Texas are required to have been vaccinated for 9 communicable diseases.  Children going into daycare have to be vaccinated for a total of 12 diseases.  Young adults entering college should check with the registrar’s office to find out what immunizations are required before enrollment.  Not all colleges and universities have immunization requirements but there are recommendations for students who will be living in dormitories.  Your state’s Department of Health website will have all the information you need for immunizations.

The state of Texas grants and acknowledges the rights of a parent to exempt their children from vaccination requirements for school, daycare and college for reasons of religious beliefs or medical reasons.  In 2003 the Texas legislature passed changes that expanded reasons a parent can claim an exemption.  This process is complicated and time consuming.  If you plan to have your child exempt from vaccination requirements don’t wait until the last minute.  Check with your state’s Department of Health to obtain the official forms and instructions to complete this process.

Now is also a good time to remind any senior citizens in your life to check with their health care providers in regard to flu and pneumonia vaccine.  Children and the elderly are most at risk for communicable diseases.

Health insurances will cover immunization costs.  If you are uninsured check with your city/county health department on where you can go to get reduced cost or free vaccinations.  In Texas you can call 211Texas toll free to get this information.  You can also call the Immunization Branch Customer Service number (800) 252-9152 if you have any questions or need more information about immunizations.

Lou Ann Enis, Registered Nurse and Occupational Health Supervisor

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