Guarana

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

Some uses that have not been proven by research include 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 for treating any medical condition. The FDA has not approved medicinal use of this product. Guarana should not be used instead of medication prescribed by your doctor.

Guarana is often sold as an herbal supplement. There are no regulated manufacturing standards for many herbal products, and some supplements on the market have been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be bought from a trustworthy source to reduce the risk of contamination.

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

When thinking about using herbal supplements, talk to your doctor. You may also want to see a practitioner who knows about herbal/health supplements.

If you decide to use guarana, follow the instructions on the package or those given by your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider. Do not use more of this product than what is recommended on the label.

Do not use different forms of guarana (like tablets, extracts, and others) at the same time, unless a healthcare professional specifically tells you to do so. Using different forms together increases the risk of an overdose.

Call your doctor if the condition you are treating with guarana does not get better, or if it worsens while you are using this product.

If you need a cardiac stress test, you should stop taking guarana at least 24 hours before your test.

Store at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.

Follow all instructions on the product label and package. Inform each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medications you are taking.

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).

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.

Skip the missed dose if it is close to the time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra guarana to replace the missed dose.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. Using guarana in very high amounts by mouth or injected can cause headache, anxiety, nervousness, agitation, pain when urinating, stomach cramps, irregular heartbeats, and it can be dangerous and even fatal.

Follow your healthcare provider's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

Avoid using guarana together with other herbal/health supplements that can also affect blood-clotting. This includes angelica (dong quai), capsicum, clove, danshen, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, green tea, horse chestnut, panax ginseng, poplar, red clover, saw palmetto, turmeric, and willow.

Drinking alcohol with this product can cause side effects including jitteriness, headache and fast heartbeat.

Avoid using stimulant drugs such as cocaine or amphetamines when using this product.

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 are currently using 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.