- What is guarana (Paullinia cupana)-oral, and how does it work (mechanism of action)?
- What brand names are available for guarana (Paullinia cupana)-oral?
- Is guarana (Paullinia cupana)-oral available as a generic drug?
- Do I need a prescription for guarana (Paullinia cupana)-oral?
- What are the side effects of guarana (Paullinia cupana)-oral?
- What is the dosage for guarana (Paullinia cupana)-oral?
- Which drugs or supplements interact with guarana (Paullinia cupana)-oral?
- Is guarana (Paullinia cupana)-oral safe to take if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
- What else should I know about guarana (Paullinia cupana)-oral?
What is guarana (Paullinia cupana)-oral, and how does it work (mechanism of action)?
Guarana is a natural herbal supplement. The exact mechanism of how guarana works is not known. Guarana contains more than 2.5% to 5% caffeine by weight. Caffeine is a stimulant and is most likely responsible for most of guarana's effects. There is no scientific evidence that guarana extracts or berries contain any other therapeutical use. Check with your health care professional before using herbs or herbal supplements.
What brand names are available for guarana (Paullinia cupana)-oral?
Paullinia cupana, Brazilian cocoa, Zoom
What is the dosage for guarana (Paullinia cupana)-oral?
(may vary with supplier)
- Weight loss: Take 200 to 1600 mg of seed extract by mouth once daily. Not to exceed more than 3 grams per day.
- Cognitive improvement: Take 150 mg of standardized dry extract by mouth once daily.
- Energy improvement: Take 200 to 800 mg by mouth before breakfast or lunch once daily. Not to exceed more than 3 grams per day.
- Diuretic: Take 486 mg by mouth once daily.
- Diarrhea or dysentery: Take 1 gram by mouth up to 4 times a day.
Which drugs or supplements interact with guarana (Paullinia cupana)-oral?
: Guarana should be used with caution with medications like caffeine, green tea, armodafinil (Nuvigil), modafinil (Provigil), phentermine (Adipex-P), methylphenidate (Methylin), and amphetamine and dextroamphetamine (Adderall, Adderall XR). Combining these drugs with guarana may increase heart rate, anxiety, headache, and agitation. Individuals should check with their physicians before using this supplement.
QUESTION
According to the USDA, there is no difference between a “portion” and a “serving.” See AnswerIs guarana (Paullinia cupana)-oral safe to take if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
It is not known whether guarana enters breast milk; therefore, it is best to avoid using it in nursing mothers.
What else should I know about guarana (Paullinia cupana)-oral?
What preparations of guarana (Paullinia cupana)-oral are available?
Guarana is available in tablets, capsules, powder extract, seed extract, and in beverage forms. Concentrations of guarana may vary from product-to-product due to multiple manufacturers producing various products.
How should I keep guarana (Paullinia cupana)-oral stored?
Due to multiple manufacturers making different forms of Guarana, storage requirements may vary based on individual manufacturer practices.
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Summary
Guarana gum (Paullinia cupana, Brazilian cocoa, Zoom) is a natural herbal supplement purported to improve cognitive functioning, energy, and weight loss. Side effects, drug interactions, dosage, storage, and pregnancy safety should be reviewed prior to using this supplement.
Related Disease Conditions
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Diarrhea
Diarrhea is a change in the frequency and looseness of bowel movements. Symptoms associated with diarrhea are cramping, abdominal pain, and the sensation of rectal urgency. Causes of diarrhea include viral, bacterial, or parasite infection, gastroenteritis, food poisoning, and drugs. Absorbents and anti-motility medications are used to treat diarrhea.
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Obesity and Overweight
Get the facts on obesity and being overweight, including the health risks, causes, reviews of weight-loss diet plans, BMI chart, symptoms, causes, surgical and nonsurgical treatments, and medications.
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Healthy Living and Disease Prevention
The importance of a healthy lifestyle in disease prevention is widely understood and most people know that lifestyle changes and choices can be critical to good health. Learn about healthy behaviors that constitute healthy living.
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Traveler's Diarrhea
Traveler's diarrhea is generally contracted by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water. Food is the primary source of traveler's diarrhea. Enterotoxigenic E. coli is the cause of up to 70% of all cases of traveler's diarrhea. Five unique classes of E. coli cause gastroenteritis. Other bacteria responsible for traveler's diarrhea include Campylobacter, jejuni, shigella, and salmonella. Viruses, such as rotavirus and Norwalk virus (norovirus), and giardia lamblia, a parasite, may cause traveler's diarrhea. Prevention is careful eating and drinking of water.
Treatment & Diagnosis
Medications & Supplements
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
REFERENCES:
Medscape. Guarana (Herbs/Suppl) - Brazilian cocoa, guarana gum, guarana paste, guaranine, paullinia cupana, Uabano, Uaranzeiro, zoom.
Woods, DJ. Guarana: Paullinia cupana, P. sorbilis; also known as Brazilian cocoa and 'zoom'. J Prim Health Care. 2012 Jun 1;4(2):163-4.