Guaraná supplement for ongoing tiredness in people having cancer treatment
Looks at whether guaraná capsules ease cancer-related fatigue in adults on cancer treatment.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Guaraná Supplementation for Cancer-Related Fatigue
Key facts
- Where
- Bogotá, ColombiaSee the site
Where in Colombia
- Fundación CTIC Centro de Tratamiento e Investigación sobre Cáncer Luis Carlos Sarmiento AnguloBogotá, ColombiaTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Centro de Tratamiento e Investigación sobre Cáncer, Luis Carlos Sarmiento Angulo
- Trial code
- NCT07816263
- Record updated
- 11 September 2026
- Original description
Cancer-related fatigue is one of the most common and distressing symptoms experienced by patients during and after cancer treatment, and current options to manage it are limited. Guaraná (Paullinia cupana), an Amazonian plant rich in caffeine and other methylxanthines with anti-inflammatory and central-nervous-system-stimulating properties, has shown preliminary benefit for fatigue in small studies but lacks robust evidence. This pragmatic, prospective, single-arm study will evaluate whether guaraná supplementation reduces chronic cancer-related fatigue and improves quality of life in 60 patients with breast, lung, colorectal, or gastric cancer receiving active systemic treatment. Participants will take a 50 mg guaraná capsule by mouth every 12 hours for up to six 21-day cycles. The main outcome is the change in fatigue (baseline vs. post-intervention) measured with the FACIT-F and the Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI). Secondary outcomes include quality of life (EORTC QLQ-C30) and adverse events. The study aims to support guaraná as a safe, accessible complementary option in supportive cancer care.Read full original descriptionShow less
Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Guaraná (Paullinia Cupana) Supplementation in Reducing Cancer-Related Chronic Fatigue
Cancer-related fatigue is one of the most common and distressing symptoms experienced by patients during and after cancer treatment, and current options to manage it are limited. Guaraná (Paullinia cupana), an Amazonian plant rich in caffeine and other methylxanthines with anti-inflammatory and central-nervous-system-stimulating properties, has shown preliminary benefit for fatigue in small studies but lacks robust evidence. This pragmatic, prospective, single-arm study will evaluate whether guaraná supplementation reduces chronic cancer-related fatigue and improves quality of life in 60 patients with breast, lung, colorectal, or gastric cancer receiving active systemic treatment. Participants will take a 50 mg guaraná capsule by mouth every 12 hours for up to six 21-day cycles. The main outcome is the change in fatigue (baseline vs. post-intervention) measured with the FACIT-F and the Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI). Secondary outcomes include quality of life (EORTC QLQ-C30) and adverse events. The study aims to support guaraná as a safe, accessible complementary option in supportive cancer care.
Inclusion: Histologic diagnosis of breast, lung, colorectal, cervical or gastric cancer; Receiving active cancer treatment; Has completed at least three cycles of chemotherapy.
Exclusion: History of intolerance to caffeine, methylxanthines, or flavonoids; Recent history of bleeding; Uncontrolled cardiovascular disease (uncontrolled atrial fibrillation, symptomatic tachyarrhythmias, prolonged QT); Intolerance to the oral route; Contraindications to guaraná intake; Use of CNS stimulants; Use of warfarin or any other vitamin K antagonist; Use of theophylline.