Spike Shooter
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Spike Shooter | |
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| Type | Energy drink |
| Manufacturer | SPIKE LLC |
| Country of Origin | USA |
| Introduced | October 2006 |
Spike Shooter is an "oh so tasty" energy drink marketed by SPIKE LLC of Colorado Springs, Colorado. As of February 2007, Spike Shooter is sold in Colorado and Northern California. The drink gained national attention after several students at a high school in Colorado Springs became sick after drinking the beverage. [1]
Contents |
[edit] Contents
An 8.4 ounce can of Spike Shooter contains 300 milligrams of caffeine, which is about the same as three cups of coffee. In addition to caffeine, the drink also contains the amino acid L-Tyrosine and Yohimbine. Tyrosine is a mild stimulant. Yohimbine is used as a weight-loss supplement and to treat erectile disfunction. There is unproven, anecdotal evidence that Yohimbine acts as an aphrodisiac.
[edit] Safety and warnings
Several warnings are included on the packaging of Spike Shooter [2]. The label advises that people under the age of 18, the elderly, and pregnant women should not use the product. It also warns against combining the product with any prescription or over-the-counter medicine, other stimulants or fat loss products, or using the product while being treated for any of a list of medical conditions such as high blood pressure and asthma. Users are advised to start with just half a can to determine tolerance at first, and to never drink more than one can in a day.
[edit] Controversy
Spike Shooter was banned by Thomas B. Doherty High School in Colorado Springs, Colorado due to health concerns following incidents related to the use of the product. Two students were rushed to the emergency room, and others complained of symptoms such as heart palpitations, nausea, and vomiting [3]. Following the incident, Spike Shooter was pulled from 224 corporate owned 7-Eleven stores in Colorado [4].
