Works as advertised for me.
I buy it at Costco in the 24 packs.
I tried it a couple of times on a long road trip. Didn’t do a thing. I’m sticking with coffee.
I tried an off-brand one from Aldi’s. Same size bottle, was berry flavored. Was getting tired of the Mountain Dew for my morning caffeine so I thought I’d give it a go.
That shit was NASTY!!! I sipped it at first and then went straight to chugging after I realized how bad it tasted. All it did was give me an upset stomach and make me feel worse than before I had taken it. Never again.
Huh, I must have been thinking about something else then. If that’s the case, then why not just have a cup of coffee?
A cup of coffee can’t be slammed in a couple of seconds like a 2 oz. energy shot.
If it’s iced it can. Just sayin’. (And much better tasting IMO)
Caffeine is the only ingredient of any effectiveness in 5-Hour Energy, IMHO. Sure, you get a caffeine perk as you would from drinking a cup of coffee. The additional crap they throw in there, the buttload of B-vitamins, etc. is to enhance the “5-Hour” marketing image but they have a fairly insignificant effect on anything, really. Placebo-effect results may come into play for some people but caffeine is the only thing perking anyone up with this shit.
*Edited to add: Insignificant effect on anything but making one naueous, that is.
Or you could just slam a can of coke or pepsi. (Or Dr. Pepper. God, I love Dr. Pepper, but caffeine-free isn’t always easy to find)
Pfft you people just don’t have a tolerance, man! Being up all night I drink coffee like it’s nothing, my caffeine tolerance is through the roof. I like the 5 hour energy drinks before a night of actual drinking, so I don’t fall asleep so soon. The Vitamin B also helps keep the hangovers at bay.
80 mg is about 1/3 the caffeine in coffee. That’s how much is in one regular Coke.
Here is a caffeine chart 5 Hour Energy isn’t listed. I read elsewhere it has about 40 mg.
Also, the amount of niacin is 1/10 of what is recommended for triglyceride control. It isn’t actually niacin, but niacinamide which doesn’t cause the flushing one experiences with niacin.
There certainly may be adverse drug interactions that should be discussed with one’s doctor before using any OTC medicine or herbal supplements.
People think that because something can be purchased without supervision, it must be ok to take. If you take perscription medications PLEASE ask your healthcare provider about anything not prescribed before swallowing it.
Re: upset stomach - I know if I take a big B vitamin supplement on an empty stomach, it’ll ruin my day. I’ll have an upset stomach for hours. Not so if I take one with food. Did those who experienced stomach upset pound one on an empty stomach?
I like the stuff. I don’t use it that much, but in a pinch it comes in handy. Doesn’t last for 5 hours with me though, more like 2 or 3
You’re supposed to drink it? I’ve been applying it directly to my forehead.
I find it very useful for the specific fact that it does have a megadose of Vitamin B. Since I started taking it I have been able to discontinue my B12 shots.
The shots would cost less, but I would have much more inconvenience in getting them.
My doc is good with me taking them in place of the shots, as was my surgeon.
Ha! 
Probably a better use of the crap!
Maybe I’m just used to coffee. Six ounces has about 100mg of caffeine. I drink the Venti size coffee from Starbucks with a shot of espresso each morning and I don’t feel anything.
The five hour energy drink has never done anything for me.
You could probably just take a No Doze, I know the maximum strength has 200mg in it. Once I ran out of coffee and had a caffeine headache from skipping it one morning and I went to the newstand where I work and they sold a packet so I just got that pill instead. Worked just as well.
Coffee is ~100mg…per serving. A serving is still, laughably, 6 oz. Nurses’ coffee serving size may vary. 
I did not know that, thanks! I did wonder why I don’t get a flush from these things…
Word. And I’ll add that includes your herbalist - if you’re taking herbs, check with someone who knows herbs. If she’s got you on panax and guarana and yerba mate and ephedra, you should NOT be taking 5 Hour Energy. (You should also probably find a new herbalist, 'cause that would be a heck of a harsh combo!)
There’s a wide range of caffeine in various drinks too. I thought most generic coffee had about 150 mg per 8 oz cup. From the chart, it looks like it can be anywhere for 100 to 175 per 8 ozs.
I used to drink Jolt Cola to cram while in college, didn’t affect me as bad as this 5 hour stuff.
Q
How much caffeine does a cup of coffee contain?
Caffeine content of tea and coffee
As caffeine is naturally present in plants such as tea and coffee, the caffeine content can vary
sharply. A short table listing the caffeine content of various types of drink is set out below. It
should once more be emphasised that the content per type and also according to the
production of the drink may differ sharply.
Coffee type/drink Size of cup Approximate caffeine
content (in mg)
Instant (heaped teaspoon) Any size 50-60
Filter coffee Medium (125 ml) 60-100
Coffee filter machine Medium (125 ml) 60-100
Espresso Small (80 ml) 70-80
Decaffeinated coffee Medium- large (125-200
ml)
2-4
Tea Medium (125 ml) 30-60
Coke 330 ml can 40-45
(in accordance with S. Papadopoulos (1993) Nutrition & Food Sciences 1, 28-33)