What is garlic?
The use of garlic in cultural and traditional settings may differ from concepts accepted by
current Western medicine. When considering the use of herbal supplements, consultation with a
primary health care professional is advisable. Additionally, consultation with a practitioner trained
in the uses of herbal/health supplements may be beneficial, and coordination of treatment among all
health care providers involved may be advantageous.
Garlic is also known as rocambole, ajo, allium, stinking rose, rustic treacle, nectar of the
gods, camphor of the poor, poor man's treacle, and clove garlic.
Garlic is a commonly used flavoring agent and food product. Garlic is also available as an
herbal supplement. The information contained in this leaflet refers to the use of garlic as an herbal
supplement. When used as a food product, the benefits and potential side effects of garlic may be
less pronounced than when it is used as an herbal supplement.
Garlic has been used orally as an antioxidant; to reduce cholesterol and triglycerides; to
reduce hardening of the arteries and blood clotting; to reduce blood pressure; to prevent cancer; to
protect the liver; as an antibiotic, antiviral, and antifungal; to increase the effects of the immune
system; to reduce blood sugar levels; and to reduce menstrual pain. Garlic has also been used
topically (on the skin) to treat corns, warts, calluses, ear infections, muscle pain, nerve pain, arthritis,
and sciatica.
Garlic has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All potential
risks and/or advantages of garlic may not be known. Additionally, there are no regulated
manufacturing standards in place for these compounds. There have been instances where
herbal/health supplements have been sold which were contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs.
Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of
contamination.
Garlic may also have uses other than those listed in this product guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking garlic?
Do not take garlic without first talking to your doctor if you have a bleeding or blood
clotting disorder or diabetes, or if you are taking any medicines to prevent or treat a blood clotting
disorder or diabetes. Garlic has been reported to affect blood clotting and blood sugar levels.
Also, talk to your doctor before taking garlic if you have any other medical conditions, if you
take medicines or herbal/health supplements other than those previously listed, or if you suffer from
allergies (especially to plants). Garlic may not be recommended in some situations.
Do not take garlic supplements without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant
or planning a pregnancy. It is not known whether garlic will harm an unborn baby. The amount of
garlic customarily used in foods is not reported to be problematic.
Do not take garlic without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. It
is also not known whether garlic will harm a nursing infant. The amount of garlic customarily used
in foods is not reported to be problematic.
There is no information available regarding the use of garlic supplements by children.
Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without first talking to the child's doctor.
How should I take garlic?
The use of garlic in cultural and traditional settings may differ from concepts accepted by
current Western medicine. When considering the use of herbal supplements, consultation with a
primary health care professional is advisable. Additionally, consultation with a practitioner trained
in the uses of herbal/health supplements may be beneficial, and coordination of treatment among all
health care providers involved may be advantageous.
If you choose to take garlic, use it as directed on the package or as directed by your doctor,
pharmacist, or other health care provider.
Standardized extracts, tinctures, and solid formulations of herbal/health supplements may
provide a more reliable dose of the product.
Garlic is available in the clove form, in capsules, as tablets and as an oil. Other formulations
may also be available.
Generally, the preferred forms of garlic for oral use are enteric-coated odorless garlic and
fresh garlic which has been pressed or crushed for 10 to 15 minutes before using.
Do not use different formulations (e.g., tablets, topical formulations, teas, tinctures, and
others) of garlic at the same time, unless specifically directed to do so by a health care professional.
Using different formulations together increases the risk of an overdose of garlic.
Store garlic as directed on the package. In general, garlic should be protected from light and
moisture.
What happens if I miss a dose of garlic?
No information is available regarding a missed dose of garlic. Consult your doctor,
pharmacist, or health care provider if you require further information.
Where can I get more information about garlic?
Your pharmacist has information about garlic written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of garlic?
Although uncommon, allergic reactions to garlic have been reported. Stop taking garlic
and seek emergency medical attention if you experience symptoms of a serious allergic reaction
including difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives.
Other less serious side effects have also been reported. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if
you experience
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your
doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about garlic?
Garlic is a commonly used flavoring agent and food product. Garlic is also available as an
herbal supplement. The information contained in this leaflet refers to the use of garlic as an herbal
supplement. When used as a food product, the benefits and potential side effects of garlic may be
less pronounced than when it is used as an herbal supplement.
Do not take garlic without first talking to your doctor if you have a bleeding or blood
clotting disorder or diabetes, or if you are taking any medicines to prevent or treat a blood clotting
disorder or diabetes. Garlic has been reported to affect blood clotting and blood sugar levels.
Garlic has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All potential
risks and/or advantages of garlic may not be known. Additionally, there are no regulated
manufacturing standards in place for these compounds. There have been instances where
herbal/health supplements have been sold which were contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs.
Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of
contamination.
What should I avoid while taking garlic?
There are no known restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while taking garlic, unless
otherwise directed by your health care provider.
What other drugs will affect garlic?
Do not take garlic without first talking to your doctor if you are taking any of the
following medicines:
-
a medicine to control blood sugar levels such as insulin, glipizide
(Glucotrol), glyburide (Glynase, Diabeta, Micronase), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), tolbutamide
(Orinase), tolazamide (Tolinase), pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), repaglinide
(Prandin), metformin (Glucophage), and others;
-
a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) including
ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin, others), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Naprelan, Anaprox,
others), ketoprofen (Orudis KT, Orudis), indomethacin (Indocin), etodolac (Lodine), nabumetone
(Relafen), oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), sulindac (Clinoril), tolmetin (Tolectin), and
others;
-
a protease inhibitor such as amprenavir (Agenerase),
indinavir (Crixivan), saquinavir (Invirase, Fortovase), lopinavir-ritonavir (Kaletra), ritonavir
(Norvir), or nelfinavir (Viracept);
-
ardeparin (Normiflo), dalteparin (Fragmin), danaparoid
(Orgaran), enoxaparin (Lovenox), tinzaparin (Innohep);
-
warfarin (Coumadin);
-
aspirin; or
-
heparin.
You may not be able to take garlic, or you may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring while taking garlic if you are taking any of the medicines listed
above.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with garlic or affect your condition.
Talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider before taking any prescription or
over-the-counter medicines or other herbal/health supplements.
What happens if I have an overdose of garlic?
