Pills and drinks containing caffeine and oxedrine linked to heart attack Billy Ison attended Schoolies Week festivities in Surfers Paradise last year. TEENAGERS risk a heart attack or stroke if they consume energy drinks or party pills containing caffeine and oxedrine. The nation's medicine safety watchdog has issued the warning ahead of the country's schoolies celebrations next month. Products marketed as energy supplements, weight loss drugs and legal highs have been linked to cardiovascular toxicity when used with alcohol. And the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) said the drinks have caused heart attacks, strokes, fainting, increased heart rate and raised blood pressure. Banned from sale in Finland, Denmark and Sweden, oxedrine and caffeine products are also restricted in Canada and the TGA yesterday announced it was is reviewing their safety here. The TGA is aware that some of these products are used and marketed as recreational stimulants. Such use could create significant health risks, especially if used in combination with illicit drugs or other stimulants," the watchdog says. "These concerns are particularly relevant at this time, as the end of the school year - and celebrations often associated with it - are approaching," the watchdog says in a statement. The risks increase for people with a known heart condition or high blood pressure, or if the products are used with alcohol, medicines, energy drinks and other caffeine-containing products. Oxedrine is a chemical found in oranges and citrus fruits and it is claimed it increases metabolism and promotes thermogenesis. Those promoting products that contain the substance as a body building and weight loss supplement claim it has a similar effect to adrenalin on the heart rate and blood pressure. The TGA says it has received reports of adverse events after consumption of products containing both caffeine and oxedrine. Some teenagers experienced serious cardiovascular toxicity after using such a product in combination with alcohol and additional caffeine from an energy drink, the watchdog says. The TGA says consumers should moderate their caffeine intake and "there is no recognised health-based safe limit for caffeine intake." Doctors have been told to look out for patients with heart conditions and/or high blood pressure using the product because they may be at increased risk of serious adverse events, including tachycardia, arrhythmias and potential cardiac arrest.