Citation

Vivekanandarajah A, Ni S, Waked A. J. Med. Case Reports 2011; 5(1): 227.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group - BMC)

DOI

10.1186/1752-1947-5-227

PMID

21696583

PMCID

PMC3141691

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The consumption of energy drinks has increased significantly. We report a case of a patient presenting with jaundice, abdominal pain and markedly increased liver transaminases likely due to the increased consumption of the 5-hour energy drink, manufactured by Living Essentials manufactured by Living Essentials. This is the first case report to be reported in the literature linking the development of acute hepatitis to the consumption of the 5-hour energy drink. Case Presentation: A 22-year-old Caucasian woman presented to the ED with epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting and low-grade fever. She had been drinking ten cans of the "5-hour energy drink" for two weeks prior to presentation to the ED. Physical exam revealed mild epigastric tenderness. Initial blood tests revealed elevated ALT, AST and total bilirubin. CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis was normal and the patient was discharged home. She returned to the emergency department with worsening pain and new-onset jaundice. Physical exam revealed epigastric tenderness and icteric sclera. AST, ALT, and INR were markedly elevated. Further radiological studies were nonspecific and she was admitted with a diagnosis of Acute Hepatitis. Viral serology and toxicology screens were negative. The patient was treated supportively and was discharged after resolution of her symptoms and marked decrease in the liver enzymes. CONCLUSION: The development of acute hepatitis in this patient was most likely due to the excessive ingestion of the 5-hour energy drink and we speculate that niacin was the culprit ingredient.

Language: en