West Coast coach and qualified pharmacist John Worsfold says Eagles players are counselled about the possible dangers of caffeine tablets before they are allowed to consume them.

The use of caffeine tablets among AFL players - and also the consumption of sleeping pills as a counter for the caffeine - have been thrust into the spotlight following Richmond midfielder Ben Cousins' health scare this week.

Cousins, a recovering drug addict, was rushed to hospital on Monday after suffering an adverse reaction to a sleeping pill he took the night before.

The 32-year-old former Eagles player, who discharged himself from hospital yesterday, took the sleeping pill to counter the effects of caffeine tablets consumed during Richmond's stirring win over Sydney on Sunday.

The use of caffeine tablets to aid sporting performance has been blasted by numerous health advisers but Worsfold said his players were given all the facts to make their own decision on the issue.

"There's very strict medical guidelines around the use of caffeine to make sure it's safe and players are at no risk of any harm," Worsfold said on Wednesday.

"If players are using caffeine tablets, they use it within those medical strict guidelines.

"If players want to use caffeine tablets they don't supply it themselves, it's given to them with strict guidelines.

"They're counselled on it, they're counselled on the effects of it, and then it's their choice."

Worsfold said he was relieved to hear the health scare surrounding former charge Cousins wasn't serious.

"Whether it's Ben or any player it was a concern," he said.

"Luckily I've got people who I could get more closer information about how he was so my fears were allayed really quickly."

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