Background

Cola nut is the seed of the Cola plant (Cola acuminata). It's used in Nigeria and many West African countries in traditional and cultural ceremonies.

Cola nut contains caffeine. Caffeine works by stimulating the central nervous system, heart, and muscles.

People use cola nut for fatigue, depression, exhaustion, diarrhea, weight loss, migraine headaches, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Don't confuse cola nut with a similar sounding plant called Gotu Kola. These are not the same. Also, don't confuse it with caffeine or other products that contain caffeine, including black tea, cocoa, coffee, green coffee, green tea, guarana, oolong tea, and yerba mate.

Safety Safety definitions

When taken by mouth: Cola nut is commonly consumed in foods. Cola nut is possibly safe when used as medicine for up to 12 weeks.

Cola nut is possibly unsafe when used in large amounts or long-term. Chewing cola nut is linked to an increased risk for mouth cancer and stomach cancer. Consuming large amounts of cola nut might also cause side effects due to its caffeine content. These side effects can range from mild to serious and include headache and irregular heartbeat. Stick to caffeine doses under 400 mg daily to limit side effects. Suddenly stopping caffeine use can sometimes cause withdrawal symptoms, including headaches, anxiety, and dizziness.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy: Cola nut is possibly safe when consumed during pregnancy in amounts normally found in food. But larger amounts are possibly unsafe due to its caffeine content. Consuming more than 300 mg of caffeine daily has been linked to an increased risk of miscarriage and other negative effects. Keep in mind that only the amount of ADDED caffeine must be stated on product labels. Caffeine found in ingredients such as cola nut, which naturally contains caffeine, does not need to be provided. This can make it difficult to determine the total amount of caffeine in a given product.

Breast-feeding: Cola nut is possibly safe when consumed while breast-feeding in amounts normally found in food. But larger amounts are possibly unsafe due to its caffeine content. Caffeine passes into breast milk, so cola nut intake should be closely monitored to make sure it's on the low side. Caffeine from cola nut can cause sleep disturbances, irritability, and increased bowel activity in breast-fed infants.

Anxiety disorders: The caffeine in cola nut might make anxiety disorders worse.

Bleeding disorders: Cola nut contains caffeine, which might slow blood clotting. Use cola nut with care if you have a bleeding disorder.

Heart conditions: The caffeine in cola nut can cause irregular heartbeat in certain people. Use cola nut with caution if you have a heart condition.

Diabetes: Cola nut contains caffeine. Caffeine might affect the way the body uses sugar. Use with caution if you have diabetes.

Diarrhea: Cola nut contains caffeine. Caffeine, especially when taken in large amounts, can worsen diarrhea.

Epilepsy: Cola nut contains caffeine. High doses of caffeine might cause seizures or decrease the effects of drugs used to prevent seizures. If you have ever had a seizure, don't use high doses of caffeine or caffeine-containing supplements such as cola nut.

Glaucoma: The caffeine in cola nut increases pressure inside the eye. The increase might occur within 30 minutes and persist for at least 90 minutes.

High blood pressure: The caffeine in cola nut might increase blood pressure in people with high blood pressure. But this does not seem to be a major concern in people who use caffeine regularly.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): Cola nut contains caffeine. Caffeine, especially when taken in large amounts, can worsen diarrhea and might worsen symptoms of IBS.

Weak bones (osteoporosis): Cola nut contains caffeine. Caffeine can increase the amount of calcium that is flushed out in the urine. If you have osteoporosis or low bone density, caffeine should be limited to less than 300 mg daily (approximately 2-3 cups of coffee).

Effectiveness

Dosing & administration

There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of cola nut might be. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what type of product and dose might be best for a specific condition.

Keep in mind that cola nut contains caffeine. Only the amount of ADDED caffeine must be stated on product labels. Caffeine found in ingredients that naturally contain caffeine, such as cola nut, does not need to be provided. This can make it difficult to determine the total amount of caffeine in a given product.

Interactions with pharmaceuticals

Adenosine (Adenocard)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Cola nut contains caffeine. The caffeine in cola nut might block the effects of adenosine, which is often used by doctors to do a test called a cardiac stress test. Stop consuming cola nut at least 24 hours before a cardiac stress test.

Alcohol (Ethanol)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

The body breaks down the caffeine in cola nut to get rid of it. Alcohol can decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine. Taking cola nut along with alcohol might cause too much caffeine in the bloodstream and more caffeine side effects, including jitteriness, headache, and fast heartbeat.

Antibiotics (Quinolone antibiotics)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Cola nut contains caffeine. Some antibiotics can decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine. Taking these drugs along with caffeine might increase the risk of side effects including jitteriness, headache, increased heart rate, and others.

Birth control pills (Contraceptive drugs)

Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.

Cola nut contains caffeine. The body breaks down caffeine to get rid of it. Birth control pills can decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine. This might increase the risk for side effects from caffeine, such as jitteriness, headache, and fast heartbeat.

Carbamazepine (Tegretol)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Cola nut contains caffeine. Caffeine might lower the effects of carbamazepine. Taking cola nut with carbamazepine might increase the risk of seizures in some people.

Cimetidine (Tagamet)

Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.

Cola nut contains caffeine. Cimetidine can decrease how quickly your body breaks down caffeine. Taking cimetidine along with cola nut might increase the chance of caffeine side effects including jitteriness, headache, fast heartbeat, and others.

Clozapine (Clozaril)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

The body breaks down clozapine to get rid of it. The caffeine in cola nut might decrease how quickly the body breaks down clozapine. Taking cola nut along with clozapine might increase the effects and side effects of clozapine.

Dipyridamole (Persantine)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Cola nut contains caffeine. Caffeine might block the effects of dipyridamole. Dipyridamole is often used by doctors to do a test on the heart. This test is called a cardiac stress test. Stop consuming cola nut or other caffeine-containing products at least 24 hours before a cardiac stress test.

Disulfiram (Antabuse)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Cola nut contains caffeine. The body breaks down the caffeine in cola nut to get rid of it. Disulfiram can decrease how quickly the body gets rid of caffeine. Taking cola nut along with disulfiram might increase the effects and side effects of caffeine including jitteriness, hyperactivity, irritability, and others.

Ephedrine

Interaction Rating=Major Do not take this combination.

Stimulant drugs speed up the nervous system. The caffeine in cola nut and ephedrine are both stimulant drugs. Taking cola nut along with ephedrine might cause too much stimulation and sometimes serious side effects and heart problems. Do not take caffeine-containing products such as cola nut and ephedrine at the same time.

Estrogens

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

The body breaks down the caffeine in cola nut to get rid of it. Estrogens can decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine. Taking estrogen and cola nut can cause jitteriness, headache, fast heartbeat, and other side effects.

Ethosuximide (Zarontin)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Ethosuximide is a drug used to treat seizures. Caffeine in cola nut can decrease the effects of ethosuximide. Taking cola nut with ethosuximide might decrease the effects of ethosuximide and increase the risk of seizures in some people.

Felbamate (Felbatol)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Felbamate is a drug used to treat seizures. Caffeine in cola nut might decrease the effects of felbamate. Taking cola nut with felbamate might decrease the effects of felbamate and increase the risk of seizures in some people.

Fluconazole (Diflucan)

Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.

Cola nut contains caffeine. The body breaks down caffeine to get rid of it. Fluconazole might decrease how quickly the body gets rid of caffeine. This could cause caffeine to stay in the body too long and increase the risk of side effects such as nervousness, anxiety, and insomnia.

Flutamide (Eulexin)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

The body breaks down flutamide to get rid of it. Caffeine in cola nut might decrease how quickly the body gets rid of flutamide. This could cause flutamide to stay in the body too long and increase the risk of side effects.

Fluvoxamine (Luvox)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Cola nut contains caffeine. The body breaks down caffeine to get rid of it. Fluvoxamine can decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine. This could cause caffeine to stay in the body too long and increase the risk of side effects such as nervousness, anxiety, and insomnia.

Lithium

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Cola nut contains caffeine. Caffeine can increase how quickly they body gets rid of lithium. If you take products that contain caffeine, such as cola nut, and you also take lithium, don't stop using caffeine products all at once. Stopping caffeine too quickly can increase the side effects of lithium.

Medications for asthma (Beta-adrenergic agonists)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Cola nut contains caffeine. Caffeine can stimulate the heart. Some medications for asthma can also stimulate the heart. Taking caffeine with some medications for asthma might cause too much stimulation and cause heart problems.

Medications for depression (MAOIs)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Cola nut contains caffeine. There is some concern that caffeine can interact with certain medications, called MAOIs. If caffeine is taken with these medications, it might increase the risk for serious side effects including fast heartbeat and very high blood pressure.

Some common MAOIs include phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Zelapar), and tranylcypromine (Parnate).

Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs)

Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.

Cola nut contains caffeine. Caffeine might either increase or decrease blood sugar. Diabetes medications are used to lower blood sugar. Taking some medications for diabetes along with caffeine might change the effectiveness of diabetes medications. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medication might need to be changed.

Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Cola nut might slow blood clotting. Taking cola nut along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.

Metformin (Glucophage)

Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.

Cola nut contains caffeine. Metformin can decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine. Taking cola nut along with metformin might increase the effects and side effects of caffeine.

Methoxsalen (Oxsoralen)

Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.

Cola nut contains caffeine. The body breaks down caffeine to get rid of it. Methoxsalen can decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine. Taking caffeine along with methoxsalen might increase the effects and side effects of caffeine.

Mexiletine (Mexitil)

Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.

Cola nut contains caffeine. Mexiletine can decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine. Taking cola nut along with mexiletine might increase the effects and side effects of caffeine.

Nicotine

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Stimulant drugs such as nicotine speed up the nervous system. The caffeine in cola nut might also speed up the nervous system. Taking caffeine along with stimulant drugs might cause serious problems including increased heart rate and high blood pressure. Avoid taking stimulant drugs along with caffeine.

Pentobarbital (Nembutal)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

The stimulant effects of the caffeine in cola nut might block the sleep-producing effects of pentobarbital.

Phenobarbital (Luminal)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Phenobarbital is a drug used to treat seizures. Caffeine in cola nut might decrease the effects of phenobarbital and increase the risk of seizures in some people.

Phenothiazines

Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.

Cola nut contains caffeine. Phenothiazines can decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine. Taking phenothiazines along with caffeine might increase the effects and side effects of caffeine.

Phenylpropanolamine

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

The caffeine in cola nut can stimulate the body. Phenylpropanolamine can also stimulate the body. Taking cola nut along with phenylpropanolamine might cause too much stimulation and increase heartbeat, blood pressure, and cause nervousness.

Phenytoin (Dilantin)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Phenytoin is a drug used to treat seizures. Caffeine in cola nut can decrease the effects of phenytoin. Taking cola nut with phenytoin might decrease the effects of phenytoin and increase the risk of seizures in some people.

Pioglitazone (Actos)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Cola nut contains caffeine. Caffeine might increase the amount of pioglitazone that the body absorbs. Taking caffeine might increase the effects and adverse effects of pioglitazone.

Riluzole (Rilutek)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

The body breaks down riluzole to get rid of it. Taking cola nut might decrease how fast the body breaks down riluzole and increase the effects and side effects of riluzole.

Stimulant drugs

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Stimulants, such as amphetamines and cocaine, speed up the nervous system. By speeding up the nervous system, stimulant medications can increase blood pressure and speed up the heartbeat. Cola nut contains caffeine. Caffeine can also speed up the nervous system. Taking cola nut along with stimulant drugs might cause serious problems including increased heart rate and high blood pressure.

Terbinafine (Lamisil)

Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.

Cola nut contains caffeine. Terbinafine can decrease how fast the body gets rid of caffeine. Taking cola nut along with terbinafine can increase the risk of caffeine side effects including jitteriness, headache, and an increased heartbeat.

Theophylline

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Cola nut contains caffeine. Caffeine works similarly to theophylline. Caffeine can also decrease how quickly the body gets rid of theophylline. Taking cola nut along with theophylline might increase the effects and side effects of theophylline.

Tiagabine (Gabitril)

Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.

Cola nut contains caffeine. Taking caffeine over a long time period along with tiagabine can increase the amount of tiagabine in the body. This might increase the effects and side effects of tiagabine.

Ticlopidine (Ticlid)

Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.

Cola nut contains caffeine. Ticlopidine can decrease how quickly the body gets rid of caffeine. Taking cola nut along with ticlopidine might increase the effects and side effects of caffeine, including jitteriness, hyperactivity, irritability, and others.

Valproate

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Valproate is a drug used to treat seizures. Caffeine in cola nut might decrease the effects of valproate and increase the risk of seizures in some people.

Verapamil (Calan, others)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

The body breaks down the caffeine in cola nut to get rid of it. Verapamil can decrease how fast the body gets rid of caffeine. Taking cola nut along with verapamil can increase the risk of side effects from caffeine including jitteriness, headache, and an increased heartbeat.

Water pills (Diuretic drugs)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Cola nut contains caffeine. Caffeine, especially in large amounts, can reduce potassium in the body. "Water pills" can also decrease potassium in the body. Taking caffeine along with "water pills" might decrease potassium in the body too much.

Interactions with herbs & supplements

Bitter orange: Bitter orange, used along with caffeine or caffeine-containing herbs such as cola nut, can increase blood pressure and heart rate in otherwise healthy people. This might damage the heart and blood vessels.
Caffeine-containing herbs and supplements: Cola nut contains caffeine. Taking it along with other supplements that contain caffeine might increase caffeine side effects. Examples of supplements that contain caffeine include black tea, coffee, green tea, guarana, and yerba mate.
Calcium: Cola nut contains caffeine. High doses of caffeine can lead to increased loss of calcium in the urine.
Creatine: Combining caffeine, ephedra, and creatine might increase the risk of serious unwanted side effects. One athlete who used this combination, as well as some other supplements to improve his performance, suffered a stroke. Researchers worry the stroke might have been caused by the supplements.
Echinacea: Cola nut contains caffeine. Echinacea can decrease how quickly the body gets rid of caffeine. Using echinacea with cola nut might increase the effects and side effects of caffeine.
Ephedra: Cola nut contains caffeine. Using ephedra with cola nut might increase the risk of serious life-threatening or disabling conditions such as hypertension, heart attack, stroke, seizures, and death.
Genistein-containing herbs and supplements: Cola nut contains caffeine. Taking herbs or supplements that contain genistein might decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine. Using genistein with caffeine might increase caffeine levels.
Herbs and supplements that might slow blood clotting: Cola nut might slow blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might increase the risk of bleeding in some people. Examples of supplements with this effect include garlic, ginger, ginkgo, nattokinase, and Panax ginseng.
Kudzu: Cola nut contains caffeine. Kudzu seems to decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine. Using kudzu with caffeine might increase the effects and side effects of caffeine.
Magnesium: Cola nut contains caffeine. High doses of caffeine can lead to increased loss of magnesium in the urine.
Melatonin: Cola nut contains caffeine. Taking caffeine and melatonin together can increase melatonin levels.

Interactions with foods

There are no known interactions with foods.