Guarana

Generic name: Guarana
Drug class: Herbal products

Usage of Guarana

Guarana is a plant and it is also known as Brazilian Cocoa, Cacao Brésilien, Guarana Seed Extract, Guaranine, Paullinia cupana, Paullinia sorbilis, Zoom. and other names.

Some uses not proven with research have included treatment of anxiety, improvement of mental performance, weight loss, malaria, diarrhea, fever, headaches, heart problems, enhancement of athletic performance, chronic fatigue syndrome, joint pain, fluid retention and others.

It is not certain whether guarana is effective in treating any medical condition. Medicinal use of this product has not been approved by the FDA. Guarana should not be used in place of medication prescribed for you by your doctor.

Guarana is often sold as an herbal supplement. There are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for many herbal compounds and some marketed supplements have been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.

Guarana may also be used for purposes not listed in this product guide.

Guarana side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Although not all side effects are known, guarana is thought to be likely safe for most people when taken in amounts commonly found in foods. Products containing guarana are possibly safe when taken by mouth and for a short period of time.

Stop using guarana and call your healthcare provider at once if you have:

an unusual bleeding or any bleeding that will not stop.

Common side effects of guarana may include:

stomach irritation, nausea, vomiting;

insomnia;

nervousness;

increased heart rate and blood pressure.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Guarana

Before using guarana, talk to your healthcare provider. You may not be able to use guarana if you have certain medical conditions.

Ask a doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider if it is safe for you to use this product if you have:

anxiety disorders;

bleeding or blood-clotting disorders;

heart disease;

diabetes;

high blood pressure;

glaucoma;

irritable bowel syndrome;

osteoporosis; or

diarrhea.

Guarana is considered possibly safe to use during pregnancy in small amounts.

Caffeine in guarana passes into breast milk and can affect a nursing baby. Do not use excessive guarana if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Guarana is possibly safe in children in low amounts (caffeine levels found in foods).

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Warnings

Follow all directions on the product label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

What other drugs will affect Guarana

Other drugs may interact with guarana, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

Do not take guarana without medical advice if you are using any of the following medications:

adenosine (Adenocard);

stimulant drugs (amphetamines, ephedrine, nicotine, others);

asthma medications;

medications for depression or mental disorders;

medications that slow blood-clotting: ardeparin (Normiflo), aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, others), dipyridamole (Persantine), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, ticlopidine (Ticlid), warfarin (Coumadin), and others;

any medications to treat cancer;

estrogens and birth control pills;

any antibiotics or medication for fungal infections;

medication for seizures;

any medications for heart disease.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with guarana, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this product guide.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.