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Pronunciation: Not applicable.
Generic Name: Guarana
Brand Name: Generics only. No brands available.
Guarana is used for:
A caffeine-containing central nervous system stimulant. It has been used for weight reduction, diarrhea, and headaches. It may have other uses as well. Check with your pharmacist for more details regarding the particular brand you use.
Guarana is an herbal product. It works by providing energy and reducing appetite, which are effects related to the caffeine content of guarana.
Do NOT use Guarana if:
you are allergic to any ingredient in Guarana
you are pregnant or breast-feeding
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Guarana:
Some medical conditions may interact with Guarana. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
if you are planning to become pregnant
if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
if you have a history of irregular heartbeat, heart or liver problems, panic attacks, or sleeping problems
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Guarana. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
Fluoroquinolones (eg, ciprofloxacin) because actions and side effects of Guarana, such as increased nervousness and heartbeat, may occur
Theophyllines because the actions and side effects may be increased by Guarana. Theophylline levels may need to be monitored closely. Check with your doctor.
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Guarana may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Guarana:
Use Guarana as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
Dosing depends on the use and the source of the product.
Use as directed on the package, unless instructed otherwise by your doctor.
If you miss taking a dose of Guarana for 1 or more days, there is no cause for concern. If your doctor recommended that you take it, try to remember your dose every day.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Guarana.
Important safety information:
Check with your doctor before you begin taking any new medicine, either prescription or over-the-counter. This includes any medicines that contain caffeine.
Do not take guarana if your doctor has told you to avoid caffeine. Avoid large amounts of caffeine-containing foods and beverages, such as coffee, tea, cocoa, cola drinks, and chocolate.
This product has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as safe and effective for any medical condition. The long-term safety of herbal products is not known. Before using any alternative medicine, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Do not use this product if you are pregnant. Do not breast-feed while using this product.
Stopping guarana after regular daily use may result in WITHDRAWAL symptoms (eg, anxiety, headache, irritability).
Possible side effects of Guarana:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Anxiety; diarrhea; headache; increased urination; nausea; nervousness; shakiness; tremors; trouble sleeping; upset stomach; vomiting.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); agitation; irregular heartbeat; seizures.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Guarana side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include agitation; irregular heartbeat; irritability; painful urination; seizures; stomach cramps; tremors; vomiting.
Proper storage of Guarana:
Store at room temperature away from heat, moisture, and light unless otherwise directed on the package label. Do not store in the bathroom. Most herbal products are not in childproof containers. Keep Guarana out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
If you have any questions about Guarana, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
Guarana is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Guarana. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
Issue Date: February 1, 2012
Database Edition 12.1.1.002
Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.
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