The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) says many young Americans are ending up in hospital because of an abuse of caffeine medications.

It appears that when they carried out a review of records at the regional Illinois Poison Center in Chicago, the doctors found that there were 265 cases of medical complications from taking caffeine supplements.

Of that number 31 required hospitalization, and 20 required intensive-care admission.

The study which covered a three year period from 2001 to 2004, found that the average age of those who had abused caffeine supplements was 21.

The researchers say none of the patients in the study had simply drunk too much coffee or tea but had taken caffeine in the form of a medication, followed by a caffeine-enhanced beverage, and then by a dietary supplement; some had also taken alcohol or other drugs.

Of the total number, 7 cases involved alcohol, 6 cases involved illegal drugs, and 81 cases involved other pharmaceutical products.

Although the research did not include caffeine drinks such as coffee or cola, Dr. Danielle McCarthy, the lead author, says the problem is partly down to the fact that people do not think of caffeine as a drug but rather as a food product.

Dr. McCarthy from the Northwestern University in Chicago, says people using caffeine pills and supplements need to know that caffeine is a drug and it’s overuse is potentially harmful, especially when it is mixed with other pharmaceuticals to induce euphoria.

McCarthy says the trend in the pro-drug culture towards promoting legal alternatives to illegal drugs, can be very harmful, and young people taking caffeine either to stay awake or for a feeling of euphoria, may actually end up in the emergency department more often than first thought, because young adults taken to a hospital for chest pains and heart palpitations are rarely asked if they’ve taken caffeine supplements.

According to the ACEP, symptoms of caffeine abuse can include insomnia, palpitations, tremors, sweating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, chest paints, and neurological symptoms.

McCarthy and her team are calling for public education programs and further study of the “growing problem” of caffeine abuse.

Their findings were presented this week at the annual scientific assembly of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) in New Orleans.