Bacopa Interactions Overview

Additional Details

Is Bacopa Safe? Are There Any Warnings?

Bacopa, also known as brahmi, is a plant commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine. It has a long history of traditional use in India and is considered safe when taken orally and appropriately for short periods of time. Clinical trials have used doses of up to 600 mg daily for up to 12 weeks without significant safety concerns. However, there is insufficient reliable information available about its safety during pregnancy and lactation, so it's best to avoid using it during these times.

How Does Bacopa Work? What Is the Mechanism of Action?

Bacopa's therapeutic effects are attributed to various compounds called saponin glycosides. These include jujubogenin glycosides and pseudojujubogenin glycosides. Bacopa also contains betulinic acid, wogonin, and oroxindin.

Bacopa has several mechanisms of action:

• Antiepileptic effects: Bacopa may increase levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, which could help reduce seizures.
• Antifungal effects: Certain constituents of bacopa, such as betulinic acid, wogonin, and oroxindin, have shown activity against fungi.
• Antioxidant effects: Bacopa exhibits antioxidant properties, protecting against oxidative damage and reducing reactive oxygen species in cells.
• Anxiolytic effects: Bacopa may enhance stress adaptation and normalize corticosterone and monoamine levels, potentially reducing anxiety.
• Gastrointestinal effects: Bacopa may alleviate gastric ulcers and has shown activity against Helicobacter pylori, a bacteria associated with stomach ulcers.
• Neurological effects: Bacopa may improve learning ability, memory, and cognitive performance, possibly by modulating acetylcholine release and receptor binding.
• Thyroid effects: Animal studies suggest that bacopa increases thyroxine (T4) levels in mice.

Pharmacokinetics

There is insufficient reliable information available about the pharmacokinetics of bacopa, including its absorption and excretion.

Common Side Effects to Watch For

Bacopa is generally well-tolerated when taken orally. The most common side effects reported include abdominal cramps, diarrhea, dry mouth, headache, and nausea. These side effects are usually mild and transient.

Are Bacopa Supplements Standardized?

The Indian Government's Central Drug Research Institute uses a specific standardized extract of bacopa (CDRI 08) for research purposes. In some clinical trials, a bacopa extract providing 20% bacosides has been used. However, it's important to note that there is insufficient reliable information available about the standardization of bacopa supplements in general.

Drugs that interact with Bacopa