Concerns regarding toxicity associated with caffeine-containing pre-workout supplements

Authors

  • J Taylor Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa
  • G Tatz Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa
  • N Madikizela Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa
  • M Blockman Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7196/SAMJ.2026.v116i6.5186

Keywords:

caffeine, pre-workout supplements, toxicity

Abstract

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References

1. Jagim A, Harty P, Camic C. Common ingredient profiles of multi-ingredient pre-workout supplements.

Nutrients 2019;11(2):254. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11020254

2. Desbrow B, Hall S, O’Connor H, et al. Caffeine content of pre-workout supplements commonly used by

Australian consumers. Drug Test Anal 2019;11(3):523-529. https://doi.org/10.1002/dta.2501

3. Harris B, Winn C, Ableman T. Hemorrhagic stroke in a young healthy male following use of pre-workout

supplement Animal Rage XL. Military Med 2017;182(9-10):e2030-e2033. https://doi.org/10.7205/

MILMED-D-17-00013

4. Kamijo Y, Takai M, Fujita Y, et al. A retrospective study on the epidemiological and clinical features of

emergency patients with large or massive consumption of caffeinated supplements or energy drinks in

Japan. Intern Med 2018;57(15):2141-2146. https://doi.org/10.2169/internalmedicine.0333-17

5. National Department of Health, South Africa. Medicines and Related Substances Act No. 1010 of

1965. Consolidated Schedules 1 August 2025.Goverment Gazette No. 53099: 6464. 2025. https://www.

sahpra.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Consolidated-Schedules_01-August-2025.pdf (accessed

18 June 2026).

6. South African Health Products Regulatory Authority. Complementary medicines guidance on specified

substances. Pretoria: SAHPRA, 2022. https://www.sahpra.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/7.06_

CMs_Specified_Substances_Jan22_v3_2.pdf (accessed 18 June 2026).

7. Garthe I, Maughan R. Athletes and supplements: Prevalence and perspectives. Int J Sport Nutr Exercise

Metab 2018;28(2):126-138. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.2017-0429

Additional Files

Published

2026-07-02

Issue

SAMJ Vol. 116 no. 6

Section

Correspondence

License

Copyright (c) 2026 J Taylor, G Tatz, N Madikizela, M Blockman

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How to Cite

1.
Taylor J, Tatz G, Madikizela N, Blockman M. Concerns regarding toxicity associated with caffeine-containing pre-workout supplements. S Afr Med J [Internet]. 2026 Jul. 2 [cited 2026 Jul. 5];116(6):e5186. Available from: https://samajournals.co.za/index.php/samj/article/view/5186