GUARANA (Paullinia cupana) - ORAL
Information last revised October 2010
Uses:
Guarana has been used for helping people stay awake and alert when they are feeling tired and/or drowsy. Guarana contains caffeine, a mild stimulant. Some herbal/diet supplement products have been found to contain possibly harmful impurities/additives. Check with your pharmacist for more details about the brand you use. The FDA has not reviewed this product for safety or effectiveness. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
Missed Dose
Not applicable.
How To Use
Take this product by mouth as directed. This product should not be taken regularly or in high doses. Follow all directions and warnings on the product package. If you are uncertain about any of the information, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Though very unlikely, this product may be habit-forming. Do not increase your dose, take it more frequently than directed, or take it regularly for a long time. This medication may cause withdrawal reactions, especially if it has been used regularly for a long time or in high doses. In such cases, withdrawal symptoms (such as headaches, tiredness, mental/mood changes such as irritation/nervousness) may occur if you suddenly stop using this medication. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details, and report any withdrawal reactions immediately. When used for an extended time, this product may not work as well. Talk with your doctor if this product stops working well. Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens. If you think you may have a serious medical problem, seek immediate medical attention.
Drug Interactions
Before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: adenosine, certain asthma medications (theophylline, beta agonists such as albuterol), certain herbal products (bitter orange, ephedra/ma huang), ciprofloxacin, clozapine, creatine, disulfiram, drugs affecting liver enzymes that remove caffeine from your body (such as cimetidine, fluvoxamine, mexiletine, macrolide antibiotics including erythromycin), lithium, other stimulants (e.g., amphetamine, methylphenidate), riluzole. Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products, diet aids, headache medications) because they may contain caffeine or other ingredients that could increase your heart rate or blood pressure. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely. Avoid drinking large amounts of beverages containing caffeine (coffee, tea, certain sodas) or eating large amounts of chocolate while taking this product. This product may interfere with certain medical/laboratory tests (including urine VMA/catecholamines levels, dipyridamole-thallium imaging test), possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first. This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.
Notes
Keep all regular medical and laboratory appointments.
Overdose
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: severe stomach/abdominal pain, mental/mood changes (e.g., confusion, agitation), seizures, fast/irregular heartbeat.
Precautions
Before taking this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to caffeine or other xanthine drugs (e.g., theophylline); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. If you have any of the following health problems, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using this product: heart disease (e.g., irregular heart rhythm, recent heart attack), high blood pressure, mental/mood disorders (e.g., anxiety, nervousness), stomach/intestinal ulcers. Liquid forms of this product may contain sugar and/or alcohol. Caution is advised if you have diabetes, alcohol dependence, or liver disease. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about using this product safely. Guarana must not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor immediately. It is unknown if this product passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Storage
Refer to storage information printed on the package. If you have any questions about storage, ask your pharmacist. Keep all medications and herbal products away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.
Side Effects
Nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, trouble sleeping, or increased urination may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: dizziness, fast/irregular heartbeat, shaking (tremor), mental/mood changes (e.g., nervousness, agitation). A very serious allergic reaction to this product is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.
The information contained in the First DataBank databases is intended to supplement the knowledge of physicians, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals regarding drug therapy problems and patient counselling information. This information is advisory only and is not intended to replace sound clinical judgment in the delivery of healthcare services. First DataBank disclaims all warranties, whether expressed or implied, including any warranty as to the quality, accuracy, and suitability of this information for any purpose.
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