Most energy drinks contain massive amounts of caffeine and other vitamins like niacin (B3). Consumed excessively, niacin accumulates in the liver and causes sudden liver inflammation — also known as non-viral hepatitis or “toxic hepatitis.”
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting energy drink induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know was diagnosed with toxic hepatitis from an energy drink, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Drug Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
Energy Drinks and Hepatitis
In November 2016, BMJ Case Reports published a report of a 50 year-old construction worker who developed hepatitis after drinking 4-5 energy drinks every day for three weeks.
Each drink contained 40mg of niacin (Vitamin B3), for a daily intake of 160-200mg per day. Large doses of niacin can accumulate in the liver and cause toxicity. In another report, a 22 year-old girl got hepatitis after consuming 300mg of niacin per day in energy drinks.
What Energy Drinks Contain Niacin?
Niacin is found in 5 Hour Energy, Monster Energy, Rockstar, Red Bull, and many other energy drinks that contain B vitamins.
OxyElite Pro Hepatitis Outbreak
OxyElite Pro weight-loss supplements originally contained an illegal stimulant called DMAA. When the FDA cracked down on DMAA, OxyElite Pro was re-formulated with another illegal ingredient. Within months, around 100 people developed non-viral hepatitis. Half of them were hospitalized, 3 needed liver transplants, and one woman died.
What is Toxic Hepatitis?
Toxic hepatitis, also known as “acute non-viral hepatitis,” is a sudden inflammation of the liver due to poisons, medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, or other harmful chemicals. Hepatitis can also be caused by viruses.
What Causes Non-Viral Hepatitis?
Non-viral hepatitis is caused by toxins that destroy a large percentage of cells in the liver called hepatocytes, resulting in inflammation. Hepatocytes trap and neutralize toxins before they get into the body and cause further harm. They make up 80% of the liver and can regenerate after moderate damage unless there is scarring (fibrosis).
Symptoms of Toxic Hepatitis
- Flu-like illness
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
- Abdominal pain
- Fever
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dark-colored urine
- White or clay-colored stools
- Itching and rash
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Loss of appetite
- Generally feeling unwell (malaise)
Complications of Acute Hepatitis
The symptoms often go away when exposure to the toxin stops. The longer it takes, the higher the risk of permanent liver damage. Chronic inflammation can cause irreversible scarring of liver tissue (cirrhosis) and in severe cases liver failure, which is deadly without a transplant.
Diagnosis of Liver Inflammation
Toxic hepatitis is often misdiagnosed as the flu. However, blood tests will show elevated liver enzymes and other signs of liver damage. Conclusive diagnosis of non-viral hepatitis requires a liver biopsy (tissue sample) that shows damage due to toxins, rather than a virus.
Tylenol and Hepatitis
Tylenol (acetaminophen) is the leading cause of acute liver failure in the United States. Large overdoses can happen when people mix medications like painkillers and cold & flu medicine. Small overdoses repeated over time can culminate in catastrophic liver failure.
Treatment for Non-Viral Hepatitis
The only specific treatment is discontinuing whatever is causing liver damage. The problem is many people forget to tell their doctor about dietary supplements or energy drinks. Once it is identified, recovery is usually quick. They may also be given anti-inflammatory corticosteroids.
Toxic Hepatitis and Liver Failure
About 50% of all cases of acute liver failure in the U.S. are due to drug-induced liver injury — including vitamins, herbal supplements, and energy drinks, which many people assume are safe because they are “all-natural.” In reality, supplement side effects send 23,000 people to the hospital every year.
Do I have an Energy Drink Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting energy drink induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know was diagnosed with toxic hepatitis from an energy drink, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Drug Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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