What is the recommended dose of Guarana?

- **Standard:** 50-200mg guarana extract (delivering 10-80mg caffeine) - **As caffeine source:** Calculate caffeine content (typically 40-50% by weight in standardized extracts) - **Sum total daily...

Is Guarana safe to take daily?

Guarana is rated "Prescription Interactions" based on clinical evidence. - Same as caffeine: insomnia, anxiety, tachycardia, GI upset at high doses - Tannin content may cause GI irritation in sensitive individuals

Does Guarana interact with any medications?

Guarana has 5 known drug interactions, including interactions with Adenosine (cardiac drug), MAO inhibitors, Lithium. Check with your doctor before combining with prescription medications.

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Ingredient Research

Graded against 173,636 supplements + 177 published clinical interactions, sourced from PubMed, FDA CAERS, openFDA, NIH DSLD

Guarana

MODERATE EVIDENCESupplementLast updated April 2026

AVELOR SUMMARY

Guarana is a Brazilian plant seed that contains 2-7% caffeine, about 2-3x the concentration of coffee beans. Our research shows its effects are primarily caffeine-mediated, though guarana's tannin content slows caffeine release, producing a more gradual stimulant effect. It's essentially a slow-release caffeine source with some additional polyphenol benefits. All caffeine interactions apply.

EVIDENCE GRADES

Alertness / cognitive performanceAttributed to caffeine content

Fat oxidationCaffeine-mediated

C+

Exercise performanceCaffeine-mediated

C+

Weight loss (energy drinks)Minimal independent effect beyond caffeine

OPTIMAL DOSAGE

Standard: 50-200mg guarana extract (delivering 10-80mg caffeine)
As caffeine source: Calculate caffeine content (typically 40-50% by weight in standardized extracts)
Sum total daily caffeine from ALL sources including guarana

Scan a supplement containing Guarana

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Adenosine (cardiac drug)Severe

Caffeine antagonizes adenosine

MAO inhibitorsSevere

Enhanced cardiovascular/CNS effects

LithiumSevere

Caffeine increases lithium excretion

Stimulants (Adderall)Moderate

Additive stimulation

Fluoroquinolones (cipro)Moderate

CYP1A2 inhibition increases caffeine levels

SAFETY PROFILE

Drug Interactions

All caffeine interactions apply (see Caffeine monograph). Key ones:

Side Effects

Same as caffeine: insomnia, anxiety, tachycardia, GI upset at high doses
Tannin content may cause GI irritation in sensitive individuals

Pregnancy & Lactation

Same guidelines as caffeine: limit to 200mg caffeine/day total during pregnancy.

WADA Status

Not Prohibited (but caffeine monitoring threshold applies)

HOW AVELOR SCORES THIS

Avelor calculates caffeine contribution from guarana and sums with all other caffeine sources

Products using guarana to hide total caffeine content: flag ("guarana 500mg" may contain 200mg+ caffeine)

Energy drink / fat burner products: require total caffeine calculation across all ingredients

Products listing guarana without disclosing caffeine content: automatic transparency flag

CLINICAL REFERENCES

Reference identifiers on this page are being re-verified against PubMed. Some may not yet link to the paper named beside them.

; Haskell CF et al. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating the cognitive and mood effects of guarana.

PMID: 16533867

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Independently graded against 173,636 indexed supplements with 177 published clinical interactions, sourced from PubMed, FDA CAERS, openFDA, and NIH DSLD | Last updated: April 2026

Not medical advice. Based on published clinical research and systematic reviews.

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