Drug & supplement interaction

Cola Nut + Metoproterenol

Metoproterenol brand name: Alupent.

Moderate Interaction
The bottom line Moderate

Cola Nut has a moderate interaction with Metoproterenol. Theoretically, the caffeine in cola nut might increase the clinical effects of beta-adrenergic agonists.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodProbable
EvidenceD
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
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Interaction report

Cola Nut and Metoproterenol

Here is the interaction we found between these two, with the evidence behind it.

Moderate

BETA-ADRENERGIC AGONISTS

Why this applies to Metoproterenol

Metoproterenol falls under BETA-ADRENERGIC AGONISTS — the group Cola Nut interacts with.

Theoretically, the caffeine in cola nut might increase the clinical effects of beta-adrenergic agonists.
Cola nut contains caffeine. Theoretically, concomitant use of large amounts of caffeine might increase the cardiac inotropic effects of beta-agonists.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Probable Evidence D

Interaction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports..

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's the gist: metaproterenol (Alupent) is a beta-agonist, meaning it opens your airways but can also nudge your heart to beat faster and stronger. Cola nut is basically a natural source of caffeine, which is a stimulant in its own right. Stack the two and the stimulant effects can add up.

So in practice, you might notice more of the jittery side of metaproterenol: a racing or pounding heartbeat, shakiness, nervousness, or trouble sleeping. To be fair, this is a theoretical concern based on how the two work, not something proven in studies, and a normal cola drink isn't the worry. It's the concentrated cola nut supplements taken with your inhaler that could matter. If you feel your heart racing, check in with your pharmacist or doctor before changing anything.

References
  1. McEvoy GK, ed. AHFS Drug Information. Bethesda, MD: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, 1998.

What These Ratings Mean

Every interaction above is graded three ways — here’s the key to each label.

Severity how clinically significant the interaction is
Major

Clinically significant. Avoid the combination, or use only under close professional supervision.

Moderate

Usually worth avoiding or managing — may need monitoring, a dose change, or timing apart.

Minor

Generally not serious. Be aware of it and mention it to your pharmacist.

Likelihood how strong the evidence is that the interaction actually happens in people
  • LikelyWell-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction.
  • ProbableInteraction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
  • PossibleInteraction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.
  • UnlikelyInteraction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.
Evidence the quality of the studies behind the rating (graded A–D)
  • AHigh-quality meta-analysis (quantitative systematic review).
  • BCase-control study.
  • CConsensus.
  • DAnecdotal evidence.

These ratings are for information only. Never start, stop, or otherwise change your therapy before speaking with your provider.

Keep it in perspective

Cola Nut Also Interacts With Other Medications

Cola Nut has 546 moderate, 108 minor known drug interactions in our database — the Metoproterenol one above is one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Cola Nut

Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Cola Nut. Pick one to open its full report.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Metoproterenol

This page covers Cola Nut only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Metoproterenol page lists 15 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Black Tea (moderate), Caffeine (moderate), Cocoa (moderate), Coffee (moderate) and Ephedra (moderate).

By severity: 15 moderate.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Metoproterenol page

“Someone using metoproterenol (Alupent) for asthma or COPD is taking a beta-agonist, a drug that opens airways by stimulating the same receptors that speed the heart, and every one of the 15 supplement interactions on file works through that pathway. Twelve are caffeine sources, everyday things like coffee and tea, where large amounts c…”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Metoproterenol interaction page

One more smart check

Taking Cola Nut as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions

We hold 2 real supplement products containing Cola Nut, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Cola Nut. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Metoproterenol too, on top of Cola Nut — and those would not show on this page. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:

How much people look this up

Where Cola Nut and Metoproterenol Sit Against Everything Else

Out of every supplement and medication people look up on HelloPharmacist, here is where these two land this week — and which way each has been moving.

Supplement Cola Nut
Top half

#707 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Metoproterenol
Top 10%

#213 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today

Position among everything looked up on this site, not a measure of how commonly either one is used or how important it is. A supplement can climb this list because of a news story. It counts every request to the page, automated ones included, and nothing here identifies anyone.

Supplement

About Cola Nut

What is Cola Nut?

Cola Nut
  • Energy and alertness
  • Mental focus
  • Physical performance
  • Weight loss support
  • Traditional digestive aid

Cola nut is a caffeine-containing seed from West Africa used mainly as a natural stimulant for energy and alertness. Most of its effects come from caffeine, and strong human evidence for specific health benefits is limited. Because of its caffeine content, people sensitive to stimulants and those who are pregnant or have heart conditions should be cautious.

Read the full Cola Nut monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Metaproterenol

What Is Metaproterenol Used For?

Brand name: Alupent

  • Metaproterenol is used to prevent and treat wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, and chest tightness caused by asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and other lung diseases. It relaxes and opens air passages in the lungs, making it easier to breathe.

See full Metaproterenol drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Cola Nut

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Cola Nut — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.

0Major
546Moderate
108Minor
2,175No known interaction
Moderate

546 interactions

Showing 60 of 546 moderate interactions — see all 546 on the Cola Nut page.

Minor

108 interactions

Showing 60 of 108 minor interactions — see all 108 on the Cola Nut page.

No interaction 2,175 drugs checked — show the list
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Interaction details are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database. The medication overview comes from MedlinePlus.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Cola Nut and Metoproterenol Together: Common Questions

Can you take Cola Nut with Metoproterenol?
There is a moderate interaction, so it may be acceptable with monitoring or timing changes — but check with your pharmacist first. Read the full details on this page and confirm with your pharmacist before combining them.
How serious is the Cola Nut and Metoproterenol interaction?
We rate it Moderate. This combination may require monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one. Consult your pharmacist before using them together.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Still Have a Question About Metoproterenol and Cola Nut?

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This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.