I came across a situation with a parent whose 12-year-old son had been struggling with poor sleep, irritability, and restlessness. She initially didn’t think caffeine could be the problem because he only had “one coffee” in the morning and “one energy drink” after school.

When we talked further, we realized caffeine was also coming from cola, chocolate, some medication and another caffeinated product he occasionally used. The problem wasn’t one drink—it was the total caffeine exposure throughout the day.

I explained that caffeine can contribute to insomnia, nervousness, irritability, headaches, and increased heart rate. Health Canada recommends a maximum of 2.5 mg/kg/day for children and adolescents up to 18 and specifically advises that children should not consume caffeinated energy drinks.

We discussed checking every label and replacing caffeinated drinks with water or other caffeine-free options. It was an eye-opening conversation: sometimes the biggest risk isn’t what a child drinks once—it’s what they consume across the entire day without realizing it.

By Nilay Chauhan, Dispensary Assistant