Guarana (Paullinia cupana) is a plant native to the central Amazon and has been used medicinally for centuries. It has a popular reputation of being a stimulant and an aphrodisiac, as well as exhibiting gastric-protective effects. Guarana contains caffeine and other similar chemicals and has been used for the treatment of diarrhea, weight loss, and fatigue. Evaluation in patients with cancer has been performed related to the symptoms of fatigue, hot flashes, sleep-wake disturbances, and depression.
da Costa Miranda, V., Trufelli, D.C., Santos, J., Campos, M.P., Nobuo, M., da Costa Miranda, M., … del Giglio, A. (2009). Effectiveness of guarana (Paullinia cupana) for postradiation fatigue and depression: Results of a pilot double-blind randomized study. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 15, 431–433.
To evaluate the effectiveness of guarana in the treatment of the fatigue and depression of patients with breast cancer who are undergoing adjuvant radiation therapy
Guarana, a plant native to the central Amazon, is known for its stimulant properties. The study involved three phases. Investigators randomized patients at the start of adjuvant radiation treatment (RT) to either guarana or placebo (phase 1). Halfway through RT, crossover occurred from placebo to guarana and vice versa (phase 2). Protocol terminated at end of the 28th RT (phase 3) for both groups. Assessments occurred three times, once at the start of each phase. The total time of the trial was 35 days. A dose of 75 mg/day guarana was administrated.
Active treatment
Double-blind randomized design with crossover
Findings did not support the use of guarana for the treatment of depression or fatigue in cancer patients.
Due to the limitations noted, this study does not support valid nursing conclusions.