Substance Safety Guide

Nicotine and Caffeine

Comprehensive health and safety information to promote informed decision-making and harm reduction

Nicotine & Caffeine

Comprehensive Substance Reference & Harm Reduction Guide

Nicotine & Caffeine

GUIDE-WIDE SAFETY NOTICE: This guide is for recognition, harm-reduction, and emergency-reference purposes. Appearance alone cannot reliably identify a substance. Counterfeit pills, powders, vapes, edibles, and street mixtures may contain unexpected drugs. Do not taste, smell closely, burn, or handle an unknown substance to identify it. If poisoning is possible, contact Poison Control (U.S. 1-800-222-1222) or 911 for severe symptoms.

10. Nicotine & Caffeine

Substance Appearance, Route & Intoxication Physical Side Effects Severe Toxicity / Overdose & Response
Tobacco & Vapes / E-Liquids Cigarettes, cigars, chew, vapes, nicotine pouches/gum. Smoked, oral, vaped. Stimulation, fast heart rate. Increased heart rate/BP, nausea/dizziness in new users, throat irritation, cough. Overdose: Severe vomiting, sweating, tremor, seizures, arrhythmias, weakness, breathing failure. Response: Remove exposure, wash skin if liquid contact. Poison Control for poisoning; 911 for seizures, collapse, breathing problems.
Caffeine (Beverages, Pills, Powder) Coffee, energy drinks, tablets, pure powder. Oral. Alertness, jitteriness, anxiety, tremor, insomnia. Jitters, tremor, increased heart rate, urination, stomach reflux, headache. Overdose: Marked palpitations, vomiting, severe agitation, dangerous arrhythmias, seizures, death. Response: Stop caffeine. Poison Control for concerning excess; 911 for seizures, severe chest pain, or collapse.