MINNEAPOLIS - There's a new way to get that caffeine kick. But is it a good idea?
AeroShot Pure Energy is an inhalable form of the stimulant. The caffeine in each canister is equivalent to a large cup of coffee.
But, Democratic Senator Charles Schumer of New York has big concerns. He said, "It's very possible that snorting caffeine is dangerous, particularly to a 12 year old. There are no age limits on the product. And [it's] certainly dangerous when used in combination with alcohol."
The Food and Drug Administration(FDA) announced Monday it will investigate the product.
Dr. Jon Cole, medical director for the Hennepin Regional Poison Center in Minneapolis said, "Since it's a new delivery method it seems reasonable to investigate it."
Cole said there are big concerns about the product. "The speed at which you could theoretically deliver it and then the potential for combining with other substances"
While the company that makes AeroShot, Breathable Foods, recommends using no more than three AeroShot a day, Cole said it is possible someone could inhale a number of them in a row. It's tough to take in that much caffeine if you're simply drinking coffee.
Cole said symptoms of too much caffeine could range from being jittery to having cardiac and neurologic issues. He said, "Could you take enough to kill yourself? It's certainly possible, it's highly unlikely."
The bigger problem, Cole said, is combining too much caffeine with alcohol or drugs, something that people can already do with energy drinks or caffeine pills.
You cannot find AeroShot on store shelves in Minnesota or Wisconsin. It went on the market in January and is only being sold in Boston, New York and online. But the company says it plans to start selling it in more major U.S. cities by this summer.
Breathable Foods, Inc. said it does not market to children and its product is not recommended to anyone under the age of 18. It also says AeroShot is not designed to be poured into liquids like alcohol.
In response to the FDA investigation, Breathable Foods CEO Tom Hadfield issued this statement:
We will cooperate fully with the FDA's review to address the issues raised by Sen. Schumer and are confident that it will conclude that AeroShot is a safe, effective product that complies with FDA regulations.
David Edwards, inventor of AeroShot said he was, "Confident, as they look at the product, they will confirm what we hold, that the product is both a safe and complies with all FDA regulations."
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