Our lawyers are reviewing studies and an FDA investigation linking popular energy drinks like NOS Energy to serious and sometimes fatal side effects including heart attack, stroke, seizure and severe allergic reactions.
Free Confidential Lawsuit Evaluation: If you or a loved one suffered from a heart attack/heart problems, seizure or other injury after drinking NOS, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a suit against the manufacturer and our lawyers can help.
Update: Energy Drink Side Effects Responsible for Death of 25-Year-Old, Suit Claims
December 18, 2017 - Anton Omelin drank Red Bull, NOS and Monster Energy before he collapsed and died on Oct. 30, 2014, according to a new lawsuit filed in Tacoma, Washington. The suit alleges that the defendants -- Red Bull, Monster, and the Hansen Beverage Co. -- failed to adequately warn consumers against the risk of alcohol use with energy drinks or during vigorous exercise.
What is NOS?
NOS is a popular energy drink made by High Performance Beverage Company, which is owned by Fuze Beverages LLC, a division of Coca-cola. The beverage is available in 8 oz and 11 oz bottles, as well as in a 2 oz “Powershot.”
According to Caffeine Informer [1], NOS has lowered the caffeine content of its energy drinks from 260 mg to 160 mg per 16 oz can. However, many retailers are still selling the 260 mg cans, especially Charged Citrus and Loaded Cherry. Note: Consumer Reports [2] tested NOS and found the old version to contain only 224 mg of caffeine per can instead of 260 mg.
Energy Drink Dangers
Several ingredients in NOS Energy may increase the risk of adverse effects, according to LIVESTRONG [3]. Potential side effects may include:
- Diarrhea - Caffeine is a diuretic, which means that it flushes water out of your system, which can result in diarrhea. NOS Energy also contains the amino acid carnitine, which may cause diarrhea.
- Delayed muscle recovery - If you use NOS Energy to help power through your workouts, the drink may actually be hindering your progress. NOS contains antioxidants such as vitamin C and beta-carotene, which, according to Science-Based Medicine could delay muscle recovery [4].
- Nerve damage - NOS is high in vitamin B-6, which helps the body metabolize food. However, the vitamin may be harmful in large doses, as it may cause nerve damage that results in numbness or pain in the extremities and impaired walking ability.
- Increased risk of type 2 diabetes - NOS Energy is high in sugar, with 27 grams in each 8 oz. can. This can be detrimental, as Harvard Medical School [5] suggests that regular consumption of high-sugar beverages can increase the risk of diabetes. Research cited in the May 2008 issue of The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition [6] also indicates that combining caffeine with carbohydrates may also promote insulin resistance.
- Anxiety - Energy drinks like NOS contain high levels of caffeine, which can increase feelings of anxiety and nervousness, and interfere with a person’s ability to sleep.
Related energy drink lawsuits:
See all product liability lawsuits from Schmidt and Clark, LLP.
Caffeine Count in Energy Drinks: Consumer Reports Video
NOS Energy Sends Teen to Hospital
Dakota Sailor, a teenager from Carl Junction, Missouri, had a seizure and was rushed to the hospital after consuming 2 cans of NOS Energy Drink, according to Caffeine Informer [7]. After conducting a series of tests, doctors concluded the boy’s condition was likely the result of high doses of caffeine contained in the NOS he drank.
Also read: Caffeine Overdose Litigation
Energy Drink Deaths
Since late 2012, at least 17 unreported deaths have been linked to energy drinks, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) [8]. This brings the total to 34 fatalities associated with the beverages. Of these:
- 22 deaths have been linked to 5-Hour Energy;
- 11 deaths have been linked to Monster Energy, and
- 1 death has been linked to Rockstar.
In addition to the newly disclosed deaths, at least 56 previously undisclosed injuries have been reported to the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) [9]. These and other serious events resulted in 54 hospitalizations, with consumers experiencing high blood pressure, convulsions, heart attacks, and other side effects after consuming energy drinks.
Energy Drinks Worse for your Heart than Caffeine Alone, Study Finds
April 27, 2017 - A new study published Wednesday in the Journal of the American Heart Association (AHA) has linked the side effects of energy drinks to an increased risk for heart problems beyond those seen with caffeine alone. The researchers suspect that the “proprietary blend” of ingredients in commercial energy drinks may prolong caffeine’s activity in the body, prevent it from being excreted, or that these substances “may have activity of their own above and beyond caffeine.”
Man Gets Hepatitis After Binging on Energy Drinks
November 4, 2016 - BMJ Case Reports [10] published a study this week on a 50-year-old construction worker who developed acute hepatitis after drinking 4 to 5 energy drinks per day for at least 3 weeks. Doctors said the condition was likely a result of his massive intake of niacin (vitamin B3), of which he was consuming more than 1000% the daily recommended dose.
Just 1 Energy Drink Poses Heart Risks, JAMA Study Finds
November 8 – A single can of energy drink can cause potentially worrisome spikes in blood pressure and in a stress hormone that’s a cousin to adrenaline, according to a study [11] conducted by researchers at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. After just one 16oz. serving of Rockstar, test subjects’ average blood pressure increased by 6.4%, while average norepinephrine levels went up 31%.
Study Links Energy Drinks to Traumatic Brain Injury in Teens
September 16, 2015 - A study published today in PLOS ONE [12] has found a link between the consumption of energy drinks by teenage athletes and traumatic brain injury (TBI). The study’s authors determined that teens who reported suffering a TBI in the past year were 7x more likely to report consuming at least 5 energy drinks in the previous week than teens who did not have a TBI.
Do I Have a NOS Energy Drink Lawsuit?
The Product Liability & Defective Drug Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in energy drink lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new injury and death cases in all 50 states.
Free Confidential Case Evaluation: Again, if you or a loved one was injured by energy drink side effects, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a suit and our lawyers can help.
