Guarana

What are other names for this remedy?

Type of medicine: natural remedy

Scientific and common names: Paullinia cupana, Paullinia sorbilis, Brazilian cocoa, guarana seed, guarana gum, zoom

What is guarana?

Guarana is a creeping shrub. The seeds are used medicinally.

What is it used for?

Guarana contains caffeine and is a stimulant. It has been used to:

• help with weight loss
• increase alertness
• relieve tiredness

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve uses for natural remedies. The FDA does not inspect or regulate natural remedies the way they do prescription medicines.

How is it taken?

Guarana may be taken as a capsule or liquid. It can also be prepared as a tea to drink. Guarana is found in many energy drinks and energy candy bars. Follow the directions printed on the product label or given by your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

Symptoms of an acute overdose have not been reported.

What should I watch out for?

Do not take guarana if you have:

• a thyroid problem
• an eating disorder (anorexia or bulimia)
• an enlarged prostate gland or trouble urinating
• diabetes
• glaucoma
• heart disease or irregular heartbeat
• high blood pressure
• kidney or liver disease
• migraine headaches
• a movement or muscle disorder
• problems with anxiety or depression
• seizures
• ulcers

Females of childbearing age: Do not take this remedy if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. It may cause premature labor.

Do not drink a lot of coffee, tea, or cola while you are taking this medicine. These drinks also contain caffeine, and the combination may overstimulate you and cause side effects. Also check the labels of all nonprescription and prescription medicines you take. Other medicines that contain caffeine may also cause problems. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist about any natural remedy that you are using or thinking about using. If your provider does not tell you how to take it, follow the directions that come with the package. Do not take more or take it longer than recommended. Ask about anything you do not understand. Remember:

• Natural remedies are not always safe.
• You should not take them if you are pregnant or breast-feeding without your healthcare provider's approval. They should not be taken by infants, children, or older adults without your provider's approval.
• They affect your body and may interact with prescription medicines that you take.
• Natural remedies are not standardized and may have different strengths and effects. They may be contaminated.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its desirable effects, this remedy may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the remedy. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Severe headache with no known cause; ringing in the ears; trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance; tremors; trouble urinating; chest pain; fast or irregular heartbeat; shortness of breath; seizures; fainting.

Other: Minor headache, irritability, confusion, nausea, restlessness, vomiting, stomach cramps, increased urination, trouble sleeping, loss of appetite.

What products might interact with this remedy?

When you take this remedy with other medicines, it can change the way the remedy or the medicines work. Vitamins and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Do NOT take guarana if you are also taking:

• alcohol
• antibiotics such as erythromycin (Ery-Tabs, E.E.S.), clarithromycin (Biaxin), azithromycin (Zithromax), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), levofloxacin (Levaquin), rifabutin (Mycobutin), rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane), and isoniazid (Nydrazid)
• antidepressants such as bupropion (Wellbutrin) and fluvoxamine (Luvox)
• antiarrhythmics such as adenosine (Adenocard, Adenoscan), amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), disopyramide (Norpace), dofetilide (Tikosyn), ibutilide (Corvert), procainamide (Pronestyl), quinidine, sotalol (Betapace) and mexiletine (Mexitil)
• antipsychotic medicine such as clozapine (Clozaril)
• antiseizure medicines such as phenobarbital, primidone (Mysoline), valproic acid (Depakene), gabapentin (Neurontin), carbamazepine (Tegretol), and phenytoin (Dilantin)
• beta blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin), acebutolol (Sectral), betaxolol (Kerlone), carteolol, bisoprolol (Zebeta), pindolol, metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), timolol, sotalol (Betapace), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), and carvedilol (Coreg)
• birth control pills and hormones such as estradiol (Estrace, Estratab), conjugated estrogens (Premarin), norethindrone (Aygestin, Micronor), and norgestrel (Ovrette)
• bronchodilators such as aminophylline (Truphylline) and theophylline
• caffeine or other stimulants, found in coffee, black tea, green tea, cola and some sports drinks
• herbal products such as kola nut, and mate
• calcium channel blockers such as diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiamate, Tiazac), nicardipine (Cardene), nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat), isradipine (DynaCirc), felodipine (Plendil), amlodipine (Norvasc), and verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan)
• diabetes medicines such as glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (Micronase, DiaBeta), metformin (Glucophage), pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), acarbose (Precose), and repaglinide (Prandin)
• digoxin (Lanoxin)
• disulfiram (Antabuse)
• diuretics such as furosemide (Lasix), ethacrynic acid (Edecrin), torsemide (Demadex), and bumetanide (Bumex)
• ephedrine, pseudoephedrine (Sudafed, and other cold medicines containing pseudoephedrine), and epinephrine (EpiPen)
• foods and drinks containing caffeine (coffee, tea, cocoa, colas, and chocolate)
• heartburn or ulcer medicines such as antacids, cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), sucralfate (Carafate), and omeprazole (Prilosec)
• lithium (Lithabid)
• MAO inhibitor antidepressants such as phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), and isocarboxazid (Marplan) (Do not take an MAO inhibitor and this medicine within 14 days of each other.)
• migraine medicines such as dihydroergotamine (Ergomar, DHE-45, Migranal), ergotamine (Cafergot), and pergolide (Permax)
• other stimulant medicines such as amphetamines (Desoxyn, Dexedrine), dextroamphetamines (Adderall, Adderall XR), methylphenidate (Ritalin), and pemoline (Cylert)
• riluzole (Rilutek)

Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

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Keep all natural remedies and medicines out of the reach of children.

This advisory includes select information only. The information was obtained from scientific journals, study reports, and other documents. The author and publisher make no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the information. The advisory may not include all side effects associated with a remedy or interactions with other medicines. Nothing herein shall constitute a recommendation for the use of any remedy. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information.

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