Maracugina

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Maracugina

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Medically reviewed

Rosario Oropesa

Last updated on 22/12/2025

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Maracugina

Quick Facts

Property Description
Active Ingredients Crataegus, Erythrina Mulungu, Passiflora extracts
Form Oral solution, Coated tablets
Pharmacological Class Sedative, Anxiolytic, Mild Cardiotonic
General Purpose Relieving nervous agitation and irritability
Origin Herbal medicine (Phytomedicine)

What Type of Medicine is Maracugina? (Classification and Origin)

Maracugina is classified as a phytomedicine (Fitoterápico), meaning it is a therapeutic preparation derived exclusively from processed natural botanical extracts rather than synthetic chemical compounds. The preparation is a unique combination product utilizing extracts from three distinct plants: Passiflora (Passion Flower), Erythrina Mulungu, and Crataegus (Hawthorn). This specific combination positions the product within the high-level pharmacological class of sedatives and anxiolytics. Extracts such as Passiflora incarnata are frequently utilized to provide relief from anxiety and sleep disturbances, supporting the product's focus on promoting restfulness. This formulation is distinctive due to its tripartite composition and is manufactured primarily in Brazil, where it is broadly available as an Over-The-Counter (OTC) product.

Composition and Available Forms of Maracugina

The preparation’s efficacy is based on the combined action of its three active ingredient(s), which contain key phytochemicals, notably flavonoids like vitexin and certain alkaloids. The inclusion of Crataegus (Hawthorn) is included for cardiovascular support, as Hawthorn extracts are recognized for their effects on the circulatory system. This contributes to the formula's ability to support overall circulatory comfort during states of nervous tension. Maracugina is manufactured for oral administration and is available in distinct dosage form(s). The liquid oral solution offers a specific format for those seeking that delivery method, while the coated tablets provide a measured, convenient alternative.

The General Purpose of Maracugina (High-Level Benefit)

The general therapeutic purpose of Maracugina is to provide support for the body’s management of general nervous agitation and overall irritability. This sedative property is intended for assisting the body in managing tension and restlessness. The preparation is typically used in scenarios where temporary anxiety or stress leads to feelings of nervous discomfort, assisting the body in returning to a state of tranquility and supporting normal sleep cycles.

Regulatory References

  1. Hawthorn NIH Information

What side effects are possible with Maracugina?

Possible side effects and safety information

Adverse reactions associated with the use of this combination phytomedicine are grouped by the physiological system affected and their reported frequency, as detailed in regulatory documents.

Undesirable effects are often classified as transient and are generally noted to disappear after treatment suspension.


Adverse Reaction Classification

Category Documented Adverse Reactions and Frequencies
Rarely Occurring Reactions Nausea, Vomiting, Headache, and Tachycardia are adverse reactions classified as rarely occurring in the official regulatory documentation.
System-Organ Classes Effects documented span several systems, including Gastrointestinal Disorders (Nausea, Vomiting), Nervous System Disorders (Headache, Somnolence, Sedation), and Cardiac/Vascular Disorders (Tachycardia, Bradycardia, Hypotension). Other effects include Cutaneous pruritus, Fatigue, and Sweating.
General Frequency The general frequency for undesirable effects is classified as Not Known.

Safety Considerations and Restrictions

Safety notes specify conditions where the medicine is restricted or requires caution due to potential systemic effects. The medicine is contraindicated for use during both pregnancy and lactation.

Furthermore, the official label documents a safety limitation concerning the risk of prolonged sedation and somnolence when the medicine is taken in excessive doses. This high-level restriction addresses the dose-dependent risk of pronounced central nervous system depression.

This structure, based on the ANVISA regulatory framework, provides context by detailing the specific types of effects that have been officially observed (e.g., cardiovascular changes, sedation), their frequency, and defining limitations on use in specific populations and conditions.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose and When to Seek Help

Maracugina is a traditional herbal formulation commonly containing extracts of Passiflora (passion flower), Crataegus (hawthorn), and Salix (willow). Overdose information is primarily derived from established toxicological profiles of these individual components, as detailed in various regulatory and public health documents.

Overdose from components such as Passiflora can be associated with central nervous system effects, including drowsiness, confusion, or altered consciousness. High exposures to Crataegus (hawthorn) are known to affect the cardiovascular system and may lead to low blood pressure (hypotension) or slow or irregular heart rhythms (bradycardia/arrhythmia). Gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting, are also commonly documented presentations in cases of overexposure.

Serious or Life-Threatening Outcomes:

  • Significant hypotension or severe bradycardia (slow heart rate)
  • Cardiac rhythm disturbances
  • Profound central nervous system depression or coma

When to Seek Urgent Medical Help:

If any signs of excessive dosing or severe symptoms occur, immediate emergency medical attention is required. Contact emergency services or a poison control center right away if the individual experiences: severe dizziness, fainting, difficulty waking up, breathing changes, chest discomfort, or pronounced irregularity of the heartbeat. Overdose management is primarily supportive and symptomatic, focusing on cardiovascular stability and monitoring.

Therapeutic Uses of Maracugina

What Maracugina Treats: Main Uses and Benefits

The unique combination of herbal extracts is commonly used in situations involving certain distressing symptoms across three main domains related to nervous and systemic comfort. This preparation is used for easing nervous symptoms and supporting the body during periods of stress.

Relief from Nervous Agitation and Irritability

This medicine is generally used to help address symptom clusters that may become intense or disruptive, such as mild nervous agitation, irritability, and restlessness associated with temporary or episodic stress. It provides support that may contribute to easing the overall symptom load, helping to maintain a sense of stability when symptoms are more noticeable.

Supportive Aid for Sleep Irregularities

Maracugina is considered relevant in conditions where symptoms may intensify temporarily, such as sleep irregularities and insomnia driven by an overactive mind or persistent tension. The sedative effects support the patient during difficult episodes by promoting physical and mental relaxation, assisting with maintaining comfort and stability during symptomatic periods.


Quick Fact: Relief for Nervous Tension

This preparation is commonly used when symptoms of agitation and restlessness interfere with the ability to relax and fall asleep, offering supportive relief during episodic manifestations of stress.


General Comfort During Nervous Strain

Through its specific formulation, the preparation may assist with managing symptoms related to physical discomfort during periods of heightened systemic tension. This supportive action is relevant when symptoms lead to temporary functional strain and helps improve day-to-day comfort during symptomatic phases.

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Who Can and Cannot Use Maracugina?

Eligibility for Maracugina is strictly defined by regulatory guidelines to ensure safe use, primarily based on age, allergy history, and concurrent medication use. These criteria determine the approved patient population and those who must avoid the medicine.


Official Eligibility Rules

Category Regulatory Status (Official Labeling)
Approved Age Group Adults and adolescents mathbfge 12 years of age
Children Contraindicated for those under 12 years old
Hypersensitivity Contraindicated in patients with known allergy to any component of the formula

Populations with Restricted or Non-Established Use

Regulatory sources explicitly limit use for specific groups where safety has not been fully established, or where there is a risk of potentiated effects:

  • Pregnancy and Lactation: Use is not recommended; it should only occur following explicit guidance from a healthcare professional, as safety data is lacking.
  • Concurrent Medication Use: Use is restricted or contraindicated with certain drug classes, including alcoholic beverages and other medications that cause sedation (e.g., specific antihistamines or sedatives), due to the risk of additive effects.

These limitations ensure the medicine is used only within the officially established safety profile defined by the national health regulatory authority.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Officially Documented Drug-Drug and Substance Interactions

Maracugina's official interaction profile focuses on potential pharmacodynamic potentiation resulting from its sedative and cardiotonic properties.

Prohibited Co-Administration

Co-administration is formally prohibited with substances that cause Central Nervous System (CNS) depression, including:

  • Alcoholic beverages, due to the potentialization of the product's effects.
  • Medicinal products classified as sedatives, hypnotics, or certain anti-histamines, due to the risk of additive effects. For instance, co-administration with Pentobarbital or Hexobarbital is documented to potentiate sedative effects.
  • Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs), such as Isocarboxazida, due to the potential for compounded systemic effects.

Interactions Requiring Regulatory Caution

Specific regulatory cautions relate to cardiovascular and anticoagulant agents:

  • Digoxin and Artificial Hypotensives (antihypertensive agents) require close observation or are generally not recommended, reflecting the cardiotonic properties of one of the product’s components.
  • A potential interaction with Warfarin is documented, based on the presence of plant-derived coumarins that may exhibit anticoagulant action. However, official regulatory information specifies that conclusive studies confirming this interaction are currently lacking.

These official statements establish clear regulatory constraints concerning co-administration and provide mandatory cautions for specific drug classes where pharmacodynamic overlap is a factor.

Mechanism of Action

Modulation of Central Inhibitory Pathways

This domain involves the action of botanical constituents, primarily flavonoids, that engage with the GABAA receptor complex in the central nervous system. This interaction enhances the inhibitory effects of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), which is fundamental to dampening excessive neuronal activity, resulting in decreased neural hyperexcitability within central pathways.


Influence on Myocardial and Vascular Systems

Mechanisms within this cluster are driven by flavonoids and procyanidins from Crataegus. These compounds are relevant in systems where targeted pathway adjustment is required, acting to mildly enhance cardiac contractility and promote coronary vasodilation. This action promotes an increase in coronary blood flow, which modifies circulatory responses related to sympathetic nervous system output.


Modulation of Prostaglandin Biosynthesis Pathways

This domain focuses on the influence of salicin (from Salix alba), which is converted to salicylic acid and engages mechanisms that regulate biological signaling. It acts by modifying early molecular steps—specifically, inhibiting Cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes—to suppress the biosynthesis of inflammatory prostaglandins. The inhibition of COX enzyme activity lowers the production of pain-sensitizing prostaglandins, altering local signaling associated with nociception.

Dosage and Administration Information

How to Use Maracugina

The administration of the Maracugina triple-combination product (Passiflora alata, Erythrina mulungu, Crataegus oxyacantha) follows specific parameters established for its use.


Administration Guidelines

Maracugina is available for oral use in two forms: coated tablets and an oral solution. The instructions establish a consistent daily schedule for both forms, which is based on divided dosing.

Instruction Detail
Route of Administration Oral (Uso Interno) only. Not authorized for injectable routes.
Standard Dosing Schedule Coated Tablets: 1 to 2 tablets per dose. Oral Solution: 5 mL (one teaspoon) per dose.
Frequency and Timing The standard frequency is 3 times per day (3 vezes ao dia).
Timing in Relation to Meals Doses must be taken after the main meals (após as principais refeições).

Procedural and Population Constraints

The proper use of Maracugina includes specific instructions on administration and patient age. The coated tablets must be swallowed whole; they should not be broken, crushed, opened, or chewed. For accurate liquid dosing, the oral solution requires the use of a measuring device.

Usage is restricted to adults and pediatric patients 12 years and older. There is no specified mandatory maximum duration or defined cycle of use for this triple-combination product. These parameters define the standardized approach for administering the medicine.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Maracugina: Recent Clinical Evidence

Investigating the Agent for Symptom Management

Clinical studies have examined the agent's administration in populations experiencing insomnia and mild anxiety. Research protocols explored whether the agent was associated with reported changes in symptoms related to these conditions. Study reports detailed the agent's profile when administered across various patient populations.

Study Comparisons and Protocols

Maracugina, which contains Passiflora alata, Crataegus oxycantha (or C. laevigata), and Erythrina mulungu, has been the subject of comparative trials. One study compared its use against another herbal combination (Passiflorine) in both tablet and solution forms.

Research has explored whether the use of the agent alongside other therapies is associated with changes in patient outcomes. Findings in this area have been varied, and a definitive combination strategy has not been established. Trial protocols typically employed a gradual adjustment of the agent's quantity, based on the specific formulation being tested.

Reported Outcomes

Trial findings showed differences in reported symptom improvement when comparing the Maracugina solution against the comparator solution. However, a significant difference was not established between the tablet forms of the two agents. Study reports detailed that the product was generally reported to be well tolerated in the patient groups studied. Research has also identified potential regulatory considerations regarding trace elements in various herbal products, including Maracugina, which may require monitoring by governing bodies.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Maracugina (FAQ)

Q: Is it safe to take Maracugina every day?

According to the official product information, the regulatory documents do not specify a mandatory maximum duration or defined cycle for how long the triple-combination product can be used. The regulatory documentation is silent on a maximum duration of use.

Q: What is the difference between Maracugina and other anxiety-related products?

Maracugina is officially classified as a phytomedicine, meaning it is derived from natural botanical extracts. It is a triple combination product that contains extracts from Passiflora, Erythrina Mulungu, and Crataegus. This tripartite composition is characteristic of the product's classification.

Q: Does Maracugina interact with common over-the-counter pain relievers?

Official labeling documents caution regarding a potential interaction with Warfarin due to the presence of plant-derived coumarins, which may exhibit anticoagulant action. Furthermore, the drug’s mechanism of action involves inhibiting Cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, a pathway also influenced by certain pain relief medicines.

Q: What are the most commonly reported side effects of Maracugina?

The general frequency for undesirable effects is officially classified as 'Not Known' in regulatory documents, meaning a clear ranking of commonality is not established. However, official safety information lists Nausea, Vomiting, Headache, and Tachycardia as rarely occurring reactions. The full list of officially documented undesirable effects is available in the complete safety information.

Q: Can Maracugina be taken alongside prescription antidepressant medicines?

According to the official product information, co-administration is formally prohibited with Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs), a specific class of antidepressant medicines. The label does not provide specific statements regarding co-administration with other antidepressant classes, and general caution regarding combination use is always warranted.

Q: Is it normal to not feel an immediate effect from Maracugina?

Official administration guidelines establish a consistent daily schedule where doses are taken 3 times per day. This structured, divided dosing schedule suggests the official use is geared toward achieving a sustained and regular therapeutic effect.

Q: How does Maracugina's use compare across different countries?

The product is manufactured primarily in Brazil, where it is broadly available as an Over-The-Counter (OTC) medicine. The regulatory documentation and usage conditions are officially outlined by the Brazilian National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA).

Q: What are the known potential drug-disease interactions for Maracugina?

Official documents specify that the product is contraindicated for use during pregnancy, lactation, and in patients with a known allergy to any component. Use is also restricted or prohibited with substances that cause Central Nervous System depression, due to the risk of additive effects.

Q: What is the general expectation regarding the consistency of Maracugina's effects?

Studies have examined the agent, and reports indicate that trial findings showed differences in reported symptom improvement when comparing formulations. Overall research evidence related to its effects has been described as varied, and the varied evidence indicates that individual responses to the product may differ.

How should Maracugina be stored and disposed of?

Storage and Disposal of Maracugina

Official regulatory labeling dictates specific conditions necessary to maintain Maracugina’s stability and potency. The product must be stored at room temperature, specifically between 15°C and 30°C.


Mandatory Storage Conditions

The medicine must be protected from light and humidity and storage should avoid excessive heat (above 40°C). It is required to keep the medicine in its original container at all times. As a safety precaution, the product must be kept out of the reach of children.


Disposal Requirements

The primary disposal instruction is the mandatory warning to not use the product with an expired validity period. No specific environmental or controlled-waste disposal instructions for unused or expired product are provided in the regulatory labeling.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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