Characterizing the Pharmacokinetic Profile of a Novel Encapsulated Caffeine Beverage and Associated Mood and Physiological Effects

This study is designed to compare self-reported mood states for encapsulated caffeine compared to dose-matched free caffeine, when consumed as a ready-to-drink beverage in healthy subjects. Additionally, this study will characterize the plasma caffeine pharmacokinetic profile for the encapsulated and free caffeine beverages. Two different caffeine levels, 160 and 250 mg will be included, which represent more common caffeine consumption from typical energy drinks.

The primary outcomes are alertness ratings from the Caffeine Research visual analog scale (VAS) and PK parameters over 12 hours. Secondary outcomes are Caffeine Research VAS scores (beyond alertness), three other symptom VAS scores, and vital signs for safety.


Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Healthy adult male and female volunteers aged 18 to 55 years
2. Have a BMI of 18 to 32.49 kg/m2 (inclusive)
3. Are regular caffeine consumers (average 1 to 3 caffeine-containing beverages per day, not to exceed 400 mg/ per day)
4. Willing to commit to 4 long test days (\~15-16 hrs)
5. Able to comprehend and willing to sign an Informed Consent Form (ICF)
6. Willing to avoid caffeine-containing products for ≥48 hrs prior to visits and until the completion of each test visit
7. Willing to avoid alcohol for ≥24 hrs prior to visits
8. Willing to fast 10 hrs prior to visits
9. Willing to stick to their usual dietary patterns and avoid grapefruit
10. Willing to stick to their usual physical activity level throughout the study
11. Willing to stick to their usual sleep pattern
12. No participation in any clinical trial within the past 30 days and throughout this study, or any PEP protocol within the past 6 months

Exclusion Criteria:

Subjects will be excluded from the study if they have:

1. Reported history or clinical manifestations of significant metabolic (including type1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus), hepatic, renal, hematological, pulmonary, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, urological, neurological, or psychiatric disorders unless deemed clinically not significant by investigator
2. Current or recent history (\<30 days prior to Screening) of a clinically significant bacterial, fungal, or mycobacterial infection
3. Current clinically significant viral infection
4. History of malignancy, with the exception of cured basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin
5. Are pregnant or breastfeeding or planning to become pregnant
6. Resting heart rate less than 45 bpm or greater than 100 bpm
7. History of unstable ischemic heart disease or uncontrolled hypertension (blood pressure greater than or equal to 50/90 mm Hg)
8. History of significant surgery that may affect absorption of caffeine. Appendectomy and/or cholecystectomy will be allowed
9. Presence of a malabsorption syndrome possibly affecting drug/Product absorption (e.g., Crohn's disease or chronic pancreatitis)
10. Extreme dietary habits, including but not limited to intentional consumption of a high fiber diet, gluten-free, low-carb, vegan, ketogenic
11. History of alcoholism or drug addiction within 1 year prior to Screening, or current alcohol or drug use that, in the opinion of the investigator, will interfere with the subject's ability to comply with the dosing schedule and study evaluations
12. One or more tobacco-containing or nicotine-containing product occasions per month on average, or use of such products within 48 hours prior to dosing of each study period
13. Use of any prescription or nonprescription drugs (including vitamins, minerals, and phytotherapeutic, herbal, or plant-derived preparations) is prohibited within 7 days prior to the dose of study product, unless deemed acceptable by the Investigator
14. Use of any medication known to have an interaction with caffeine including oral contraceptives (e.g., medications metabolized via the CYP1A2 pathway)
15. Donation of blood in excess of 500 ml within 4 weeks prior to study entry or of plasma within 2 weeks prior to Screening
16. Receipt of blood products within 3 months prior to study entry
17. Subjects who, in the opinion of the investigator, are unable or unlikely to comply with the dosing schedule and study evaluations