Caffeine Toxicity Symptoms

Caffeine is a stimulant found in coffee, tea, chocolate, soft drinks and certain medications. Depending upon your sensitivity, caffeine toxicity can occur even at average dosages. Caffeine causes cardiovascular effects, metabolic changes and increased production of stomach acid. It also has a diuretic effect, causing you to urinate more often. Caffeine toxicity can even cause death in rare cases.

Average Dosage

An average dose of caffeine is approximately 85 to 250 mg, which is equal to one to three cups of coffee.Generally, this dose of caffeine is not toxic, but if you are sensitive or have an allergy to caffeine, it can be. Some symptoms of low-dose caffeine toxicity include changes in alertness, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, muscle twitching and increased urination.

Medium Doses

Higher doses of caffeine are usually ingested from over-the-counter products that contain caffeine or other caffeine-containing medications. A medium dose of caffeine is 250 to 500 mg. Caffeine toxicity symptoms at this level can cause insomnia, nervousness, restlessness, breathing trouble, increased thirst, rapid heartbeat, confusion, diarrhea, dizziness, fever, irregular heartbeat and vomiting, according to the National Institutes of Health.

High Doses

Anything over 500 mg of caffeine is considered a high dose and can cause serious toxicity symptoms such as seizures, cardiovascular instability, convulsions, shock, hallucinations and in extreme cases death. The average daily intake of caffeine should not exceed 500 mg. A deadly dose of caffeine for an average-sized person is 10 grams, which is around 170 mg of caffeine for each 2 pounds of body weight, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Precautions

Children get caffeine from sodas, chocolate and tea. The recommended daily intake for caffeine in children 12 and under is 2.5 mg for every 2 pounds of body weight, according to Health Canada. For children aged 4 to 6, this is approximately 45 mg, 62 mg for children aged 7 to 9 and 85 mg for children aged 10 to 12. Caffeine use is not recommended for pregnant women, as caffeine is passed to your baby through the placenta, according to the American Pregnancy Association. Your baby is still developing and cannot fully metabolize caffeine.