Bacopa

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 5, 2021.

What are other common names?

• Bacopa monniera
• Bacopa monnieri
• Herpestis monniera
• Moniera cuneifolia
• Brahmi (Ayruveda)
• Jal-Brahmi
• Jalanimba
• Jalnaveri
• Sambrani Chettu
• Thyme-Leaved Gratiola
• Water Hyssop

What is this product used for?

Bacopa has been used to help improve attention and memory in some people. It has been used in people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD.

What are the precautions when taking this product?

• Always check with your doctor before you use a natural product. Some products may not mix well with other drugs or natural products.

• Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breastfeeding. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using this natural product.

• Taking this product with other drugs that are broken down by the liver may cause an increase in side effects of the drug. It may also cause the drug to not work as well.

• Take extra care if you are taking drugs that increase the amount of the nerve chemical in your body called acetylcholine. These include drugs like donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine, or tacrine.

• Take extra care if you are taking drugs called calcium channel blockers. These include drugs like amlodipine, diltiazem, felodipine, or nifedipine.

• Bacopa is sometimes called “brahmi.” Brahmi is a common name used for many different plants. Bacopa can be confused with many other plants.

• Take extra care and check with your doctor if you have brain or mental health problems, including Alzheimers or Parkinsons

What should I watch for?

• Dry mouth

• Upset stomach

• Heartburn

• Stomach cramps or bloating

• Tired muscles

• Flu-like symptoms

When do I need to call the doctor?

• Signs of a very bad reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat. Go to the ER right away.

• Signs of too much acetylcholine in your body. These include headaches; mental changes; an increase in sweat, saliva, or tears; wheezing or whistling sound when breathing; difficulty breathing; or twitching muscles.

• Very bad loose stools

Where can I learn more?

US Department of Defense Dietary Supplement Resource

https://www.opss.org/article/bacopa-monnieri-dietary-supplements-brain-health

Last Reviewed Date

Consumer information use

This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It...