Craze Pre-Workout Supplement Lawsuit | 2026 Latest Updates

A 2013 study reported a methamphetamine-like compound in Craze, a pre-workout powder sold by Driven Sports, Inc. until July 2013. The compound is not listed on the label. Driven Sports disputes the findings.

A 2012 California class action alleged the powder contained amphetamine. According to the company, that suit was dismissed in February 2013. The FDA sent Driven Sports a warning letter in April 2014 that called the product adulterated.

No pending lawsuit, recall or MDL names Craze. Driven Sports said in January 2014 that it had stopped distributing Craze. The effects of the compound in people are not known.

Latest Craze Pre-Workout Supplement Lawsuit Updates

August 21, 2015: Prosecutors Dismiss Criminal Case Against Matt Cahill

USA TODAY reported that federal prosecutors in San Jose had dismissed their August 2012 criminal case against Driven Sports founder Matt Cahill. The dismissal was without prejudice. Prosecutors gave no reason [1].

The case involved a different supplement, Rebound XT, which was alleged to contain an anti-estrogen drug. It was not about Craze.

April 4, 2014: FDA Issues Warning Letter to Driven Sports

The FDA issued a warning letter to Driven Sports. It said the presence of Dendrobex renders Craze adulterated under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. That holds even if Craze has no N,alpha-diethylphenylethylamine [2].

January 8, 2014: Driven Sports Says It Stopped Distributing Craze

Driven Sports posted a statement on its website saying it had stopped distributing Craze. The company said it was completing destruction of any remaining inventory. The company disputed reports that the compound was in Craze.

October 14, 2013: Study Reports Methamphetamine-Like Compound in Craze

A study in Drug Testing and Analysis reported a methamphetamine-like compound, N,alpha-DEPEA, in samples of Craze. Researchers from NSF International, Harvard Medical School and the Netherlands National Institute for Public Health wrote it [3].

February 11, 2013: Driven Sports Announces Class Action Dismissed

Driven Sports announced that the class action against Craze had been dismissed. The company said the suit ended after it obtained a copy of the lab report that the plaintiff’s lawyers submitted [4].

This is the company’s statement about the dismissal. The company also said Craze does not, has not, and never will contain amphetamines.

March 16, 2012: Class Action Complaint Alleges Amphetamine in Craze

A class action complaint against Driven Sports, dated March 16, 2012, alleged that Craze contains amphetamine and is made in facilities that are not cGMP compliant. It also alleged new dietary ingredients without an NDI notification [5].

These are allegations, and Driven Sports denied them. The suit named Dendrobex and Citramine as the new ingredients in question.

What Is Craze?

Craze is a pre-workout powder that is mixed into a drink. Dr. Pieter Cohen of Harvard Medical School says it contained an unlisted compound, N,alpha-DEPEA, which is chemically similar to methamphetamine.

NSF said the compound is likely less potent than methamphetamine but greater than ephedrine [6]. It has not been tested in people. Its effects are not known.

Who May Be Affected?

Craze was sold widely by retailers until Driven Sports stopped selling it in July 2013. People who bought or used the powder before then are the group the studies and the 2014 FDA action concern.

Stars and Stripes reported that a base gym sold Craze until the service restricted sales in October 2013 [7]. Military Times said Craze was pulled from stores on military installations that October [8].

Whether any person qualifies for a claim depends on an individual legal review. Readers can also see the dietary supplement lawsuit page.

Reported Injuries or Damages

The 2012 class action alleged economic harm. It said consumers paid for a mislabeled product. It sought restitution rather than personal-injury damages. It was brought in Riverside County Superior Court. No court has found injury.

The researchers reported N,alpha-DEPEA in Craze in doses of 20 to 30 milligrams. Driven Sports says the compound could be a natural part of dendrobium.

A separate study in the Journal of Analytical Toxicology also reported that Craze tested positive for the same compound. According to the FDA letter, the company funded its own study, which found none.

One Air Force user told Stars and Stripes that his chest often seemed to pulse with his heartbeat. That is one person’s account and not a finding.

Recall and Regulatory Background

No recall of Craze was conducted. The FDA said it contacted the firm about discontinuing Craze before the letter was issued.

Fox News reported that the letter warned the company could face seizure or injunction if it continued to make products similar to Craze [9].

Evidence to Preserve

Records about Craze can matter if a person later asks a lawyer to review their situation. Keep these items together and do not throw the container away:

• Craze containers, labels and lot numbers
• Receipts, order confirmations and card statements
• The retailer or website where it was bought
• Photographs of the product
• Medical records and any drug-test results
• Notes on when and how much was taken
• Messages with sellers or the company

Filing Deadlines

Filing deadlines come from state law. They vary with where a person lives and when the use, injury or diagnosis happened.

A claim can end if the filing window closes, even when the facts are strong. Talking with a lawyer soon helps a person learn which deadline may apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is There a Craze Pre-Workout Class Action Lawsuit?

A Craze pre-workout class action was brought on behalf of California consumers in 2012. The plaintiff, Aaron Karmann, sought an injunction, costs, restitution, disgorgement and punitive damages. Driven Sports denied the claims.

What Does the Research Say About Craze?

The research on Craze includes the 2013 study, which analyzed three Craze samples. The Korean Forensic Service confirmed the findings. Several athletes who reported taking Craze failed urine drug tests, according to Live Science.

Did Driven Sports Launch a Replacement for Craze?

Driven Sports marketed a replacement for Craze called Frenzy overseas, according to a Military Times report dated April 23, 2014. The report appeared after the FDA warning letter to the company.

Who Makes Craze?

Who makes Craze? Driven Sports, a New York company, made Craze. Driven Sports sold the pre-workout powder until July 2013, when it stopped selling it. The company also disputes the research findings about the compound.

References

1. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/08/21/criminal-case-quietly-dismissed-against-controversial-supplement-maker/32015297/
2. https://www.nutraingredients.com/Article/2014/04/16/Driven-Sports-has-no-intentions-to-use-any-Dendrobium-related-ingredient-in-the-future-Lawyer
3. https://www.livescience.com/40420-workout-supplement-contains-methamphetamine-compound.html
4. https://www.nutraingredients.com/Article/2013/02/11/Lawsuit-against-dendrobium-containing-supplement-dismissed/
5. https://www.nutraingredients.com/Article/2012/05/21/Dendrobium-containing-Craze-pre-workout-supplement-hit-with-CA-class-action
6. https://www.nutraingredients.com/Article/2013/10/17/Craze-manufacturer-disputes-NSF-s-discovery-of-drug-tainting/
7. https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2013-11-25/military-struggles-to-react-to-potentially-dangerous-supplements-1843240.html
8. https://militarytimes.com/off-duty/military-fitness/2014/04/23/craze-supplement-maker-warned-launches-replacement-frenzy-overseas
9. https://www.foxnews.com/health/fda-issues-warning-to-manufacturer-of-supplement-containing-meth-like-substance.amp