Guaraná (Paullinia cupana) for chemotherapy-related fatigue

Objective: To evaluate the effect of guarana in patients with solid tumors starting on chemotherapy, insofar as chemotherapy-induced fatigue and depressive symptoms are concerned. Methods: This is a double-blind, cross-over trial in which chemotherapy naive patients were randomized to take either guarana 75 mg or placebo tablets during the first cycle of chemotherapy and then switched to the alternative for the second cycle. We evaluated fatigue and depressive symptoms using Portuguese-validated instruments: Chalder Fatigue Scale, Brief Fatigue Inventory, and Beck Depression Inventory. Rresults: From January to June 2007, 38 patients were recruited and 12 dropped out before outcome assessments. We did not observe any statistically significant differences between or within groups in fatigue or depression scores among the 26 evaluable patients. After the end of the still blinded second cycle, nine patients voiced their preference for guarana and 17 for placebo (p = 0.059). Cconclusions: In this pilot study, guarana was not effective to prevent chemotherapy-related fatigue and/or depressive symptoms.