Name: Teen’s death tied to ADHD drug and energy drink combination
Uploaded: 2025-12-14T15:15:50.670Z
Duration: 2 min 3 s
Description: Quebec’s order of pharmacists has called the death of Zachary Miron “avoidable.” The 15-year-old from Blainville, Que., died of a cardiac arrhythmia during a ski trip after consuming an energy drink while on ADHD medication, according to a coroner.

Quebec’s order of pharmacists has called the death of Zachary Miron “avoidable.” The 15-year-old from Blainville, Que., died of a cardiac arrhythmia during a ski trip after consuming an energy drink while on ADHD medication, according to a coroner.

Quebec

A coroner's report in Quebec has determined that the sudden death of 15-year-old Zachary Miron during a school ski trip was likely caused by the interaction between his prescribed ADHD medication, bifentan, and a single can of Red Bull energy drink. The investigation found that the combination of methylphenidate, the active ingredient in bifentan, and caffeine led to a fatal cardiac arrhythmia.

Health experts have expressed concern that neither the prescribing doctor nor pharmacists warned the family about the potential risks of mixing these substances. They emphasize that improved communication and public education could help prevent similar incidents. The Canadian Beverage Association and the pharmaceutical company behind bifentan both stated their commitment to health and safety.

Teen’s death tied to ADHD drug and energy drink combination

A coroner's investigation unveiled what caused the sudden death of a 15-year-old last year during a school ski trip. It is likely the combination of a single can of Red Bull and an ADHD medication he was taking. Now some health experts are saying more needs to be done to inform the public about the potential interaction between the two because this death could have been avoided. On January 12th of last year, 15-year-old Zachary Miron was on a chairlift with his friend. They were heading to the top of the mountain for a snowboard run when Zachary suddenly stopped talking and fell off the chair. He died of a cardiac arrhythmia. A shock for his father, David Miron. We said to ourselves, that's impossible, he adds. The coroner's report showed the presence of an ADHD medication in Zachary's body called bifentan and caffeine from a Red Bull he drank that day. There's an interaction between methylphenidate present in bifentan and caffeine that caused a sudden death. The parents had never been warned of the risks, not by the doctor who prescribed the drug or the pharmacists. We have the sad proof that there are fatal interactions with ADHD medications, she says. Health experts like the president of the order of pharmacists says he's highly concerned. With better communication and information, those situations are avoidable, says Degagné. Red Bull did not respond to Radio-Canada's email. The Canadian Beverage Association, which represents Red Bull, says its member companies take all health and safety matters very seriously. As for the pharmaceutical company behind bifentan, it states that it is confident in the safety and efficacy of its medications.

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