http://www.cnn.com/video/player/player.html?url=/video/health/2007/05/07/hunter.energy.drinks.affl


Do you think the kids were abusing it or do you think it is a real health hazard?

I can't play the video. What is the drink?

DENVER -- One high school in Denver and at least three others in Colorado Springs have warned students about the dangers of a new locally-produced energy drink.

The drink is called SPIKE Shooter and it is made by Biotest Laboratories, a Colorado Springs company, and is marketed in Colorado and California.

Several teenagers in Colorado Springs sought medical care after drinking SPIKE Shooter. The 8-ounce can contains more than three times the caffeine of a cup of coffee in addition to several herbal stimulants. The Web site for the drink has a section called "Ingredients" but the link says "This Section Coming Soon."


One student at Smoky Hill High School in Aurora also sought medical care after drinking SPIKE.

Each can carries a warning that it is not for use by those under the age of 16 or the elderly.

Doherty High School banned the drink on campus and the school persuaded a nearby 7-Eleven convenience store to remove it from the shelves. Principal Jill Martin said several students experienced shortness of breath, heart palpitations and nausea after drinking just one can. At least two students went to the hospital to be checked out.

Martin planned to send out an e-mail to parents about the drink on Wednesday. Aspen Valley High and Liberty High, in Academy School District 20, sent notes to parents earlier warning them about SPIKE.

At Smoky Hill High School, a teacher discussed the issue in class after some students witnessed one of their friends fall ill after drinking SPIKE.

"It was actually really hurting a lot of people, like speeding up their heart-rate and making them sick. I had a friend who actually ended up puking and had to go to the hospital for it," said Smoky Hill Senior Felicia Fawcett.

The news has caused concern among many parents. "I think the kids have enough energy as it is. They should not be marketing this product to teenagers," said Debbie Jurich, who has two children who attend Smoky Hill.

Tim Patterson, the head of Biotest, characterized the warnings about the drink as "hysteria."

The company released a statement that : "We are being proactive in responding to the community’s concern over this product getting into the hands of young kids and will not be doing any kind of sampling in close proximity to high schools."

The statement was issued after parents of students at Smoky Hill High School in Aurora said the drink was distributed just outside the high school. The company hired full-time "street teams" in each market to promote the drink to its target audience of 18- to 34-year-olds.

At Mahany's Gym in Aurora, owner and certified trainer Matt Rauzi says the drink is a hot seller among adults looking for a pick-me-up before working out. But, Rauzi also points to the can's many warning labels.

"You need to drink them with water to dilute them a little bit. As Americans we think, if one is great, two will be unbelievable. That's just not the case with this. It can affect you in negative ways. Heed the warning," said Rauzi.

While the label recommends the drink not be consumed by anyone under 18, a company news release dated Feb. 7 mentioned the audience for energy drinks starts even younger.

"We are thrilled that SPIKE is resonating in the hardcore category because the hardcore consumer is comprised of the largest and most-committed demographic makeup in the entire energy-drink category -- 16- to 29-year-old males and females," Patterson said in a news release when the drink was announced.

The can contains three warnings about its potency. A label for recommended use says people should start with half a can to “determine tolerance,” not to exceed one can daily.

300mg of caffeine and a number of herbal supplements. The clip goes over them to fast to catch.

I can't play the video. What is the drink?

The particular drink they are talking about is called Shooter. It has almost 300mg of caffeine. The reporter doing the piece is young and healthy. In good condition as well. They hooked him up to an EKG. 45 minutes after drinking a can, his blood pressure had gone up and he had an irregular heart beat. Not too bad for someone who is healthy. But just because one is young and thin it does not mean all organs are healthy.

Generally, these drinks are crap loaded with caffeine and sugar and ginseng. Ginseng has not been in our diets long enough to know the long term effects or even what organs it may affect.

Now the kids that got sick to the point of stomach cramps and vomiting likely had ingested quite a bit. Regardless, under aged kids who know nothing about nutrition or the workings of their body should not have free access to this crap.

As for adults...hell they slam down burgers and fries with a milkshake super-size. They are slowly poisoning themselves anyway. What the hell difference will a poisonous drink make.

They'll get sued at some point since caffeine and huge amounts of sugar are poisonous to the body. Some kid who thinks they are indestructible as most kids do, will have some health problem he is unaware of, consume vast amounts while doing exams, and stroke out or have a heart attack. It's just a matter of time... 'til then, they'll make lots of money off of stupid people.

Supplement Facts
Serving Size: 8.4 fl oz (248 mL) Servings Per Container: 1


Amount Per Serving %DV*
Calories 0
Total Fat 0 g 0%
Saturated Fat 0 g 0%
Trans Fat 0 g **
Cholesterol 0 mg 0%
Sodium 65 mg 3%
Total Carbohydrate 0 g 0%
Dietary Fiber 0 g 0%
Sugars 0 g **
Protein 0 g 0%
B12 (methylcobalamin) 1500 mcg 16,670%
SPIKE® Shooter Formula† 1057 mg **
N-acetyl-L-tyrosine † **
Caffeine anhydrous † **
Yohimbine HCl † **
Total Caffeine 300mg

* Percent Daily Values (%DV) are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
** Daily Value not established

Other Ingredients: Carbonated water, citric acid, caffeine anhydrous, sodium citrate, natural and artificial flavors, sucralose, sodium benzoate, FD&C red #40, Carmel color, FD&C blue #1.
RECOMMENDED USE: Begin use with one-half can to determine tolerance. Do not exceed two cans daily. Do not consume more than one can in a four-hour period. Do not consume on an empty stomach.

CAUTION: This product contains strong stimulants and should not be combined with any other stimulant or fat-loss product.

WARNING: Do not use if you are under the age of 18 or elderly. Do not take with any other stimulant or weight-loss supplement or any prescription or over-the-counter medicine. Do not use if you are pregnant or nursing or at risk of being treated for high-blood pressure, heart disease, hyperthyroidism, spasms, psychiatric disease, suffer from migraines, have asthma, or are taking asthma medication. Discontinue use if you experience dizziness, headache, nausea, or heart palpitations. If you have trouble sleeping, do not take within 6 hours of bedtime. Keep out of reach of children.

Do you think the kids were abusing it or do you think it is a real health hazard? Both

I think we need to sell it like cigarrates. Check for ID and keep it behind the counter than have people sign a waiver to buy it LOL

I remember in high school a few friends would just drink 3-4 cans of kick for lunch. I can only imagine what would've happened if this was available.

Supplement Facts
Serving Size: 8.4 fl oz (248 mL) Servings Per Container: 1


Amount Per Serving %DV*
Calories 0
Total Fat 0 g 0%
Saturated Fat 0 g 0%
Trans Fat 0 g **
Cholesterol 0 mg 0%
Sodium 65 mg 3%
Total Carbohydrate 0 g 0%
Dietary Fiber 0 g 0%
Sugars 0 g **
Protein 0 g 0%
B12 (methylcobalamin) 1500 mcg 16,670%
SPIKE® Shooter Formula† 1057 mg **
N-acetyl-L-tyrosine † **
Caffeine anhydrous † **
Yohimbine HCl † **
Total Caffeine 300mg

* Percent Daily Values (%DV) are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
** Daily Value not established

Other Ingredients: Carbonated water, citric acid, caffeine anhydrous, sodium citrate, natural and artificial flavors, sucralose, sodium benzoate, FD&C red #40, Carmel color, FD&C blue #1.
RECOMMENDED USE: Begin use with one-half can to determine tolerance. Do not exceed two cans daily. Do not consume more than one can in a four-hour period. Do not consume on an empty stomach.

CAUTION: This product contains strong stimulants and should not be combined with any other stimulant or fat-loss product.

WARNING: Do not use if you are under the age of 18 or elderly. Do not take with any other stimulant or weight-loss supplement or any prescription or over-the-counter medicine. Do not use if you are pregnant or nursing or at risk of being treated for high-blood pressure, heart disease, hyperthyroidism, spasms, psychiatric disease, suffer from migraines, have asthma, or are taking asthma medication. Discontinue use if you experience dizziness, headache, nausea, or heart palpitations. If you have trouble sleeping, do not take within 6 hours of bedtime. Keep out of reach of children.
but it has no trans fats!..:lolhit:

fuq! 300 mg of caffine...that's like me drinking a Big Gulp full of coffee:@@:

and isn't Yohimbine used in older ED drugs?