Caffeine Inhaler, AeroShot, May Get FDA Review

Are you sick of getting your caffeine from liquid products? Well, now you can just inhale your morning cup of coffee. A new caffeine inhaler made its debut last month, but some critics say that the product may pose more risks than benefits.

Minnesota Public Radio reports that the caffeine inhaler hit the market last month in Massachusetts and New York. The lipstick sized product costs $2.99 apiece and is available online and at small grocery and liquor stores.

But Democratic U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer of New York isn’t sure that the caffeine inhaler should be on store shelves. Schumer has asked the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to review AeroShot. The FDA has not commented on the new inhaler.

Biomedical engineering professor David Edwards said AeroShot is safe. Edwards also said that the product does not contain common additives, like taurine, which is used in several energy drinks.

Edwards said:

“Even with coffee — if you look at the reaction in Europe to coffee when it first appeared _ there was quite a bit of hysteria. So anything new, there’s always some knee-jerk reaction that makes us believe `Well, maybe it’s not safe.”‘

Edwards, who has also created breathable chocolate, says that a canister of AeroShot contains about 6 puffs of caffeine. The website says that the caffeine inhalers are perfect in situations where liquids are inconvenient.

The website reads:

“AeroShot can be used in a variety of settings inconvenient for liquids, such as when you study in the library, board an airplane or get into the car for a long drive. It’s easy to take AeroShot with you when you go biking, skiing, curling, or any other activity that consumes energy.”

Have you tried AeroShot? Do you think the FDA should look at caffeine inhalers?