Garlic, Allium sativum oral dosage forms

What is garlic, allium sativum?

GARLIC (Centrum® Herbals Garlic, Garlique®, Kwai®, Kyolic®, One-A-Day® Garlic, and many others) is a dietary supplement that is being promoted to reduce cholesterol or prevent hardening of the arteries. Garlic is most effective for lowering cholesterol if you exercise as allowed by your physician and eat a proper diet. Oil of Garlic is sometimes used on the skin as an aide for the treatment of skin infections.

What should my health professional know before I use garlic?

It is important for you to tell your prescriber or other health care professional that you are using garlic. Some herbs exert potent effects and may interact with other drugs you are taking.

You should discuss garlic with your health care professional BEFORE taking it if you have any of these conditions:

• abnormal bleeding problems or a history of bleeding

• diabetes or blood glucose problems

• infection with the HIV virus or AIDS

• an unusual or allergic reaction to garlic, other prescription or non-prescription medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

How should I take this medicine?

For maintaining heart health, this herb is usually taken by mouth (i.e., swallowed). Garlic (example: fresh garlic) may also be applied on top of the skin for the treatment of skin infections, but this use is not common for tablets or capsules. Follow the directions given to you by your health care provider.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this herb in children. Special care may be needed. Garlic, when used in the diet to flavor foods, is not normally a problem, but the higher doses in supplements may need special care in children.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with garlic?

• anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen or naproxen

• aspirin, ASA

• clopidogrel

• cilostazol

• dalteparin, enoxaparin, heparin or other injectable blood thinners

• dipyridamole

• herbal products like danshen, dong quai, feverfew, ginger, ginkgo biloba, horse chestnut, willow bark, and others that may also have effects on bleeding

• saquinavir

• ticlopidine

• warfarin

For many herbs, interactions with other medications are unknown. That is why you should always be careful when mixing herbal remedies with traditional medications.

Tell your prescriber or other health care professional about all other medicines you are taking including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also, tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check before stopping or starting any of your medications.

What should I watch for while taking garlic?

Since garlic is derived from a plant, allergic reactions are possible. Stop using this herb if you develop a rash. Different brands of garlic might contain different amounts of the active ingredients and other ingredients which may cause allergic reaction, so be careful to use the same brand. The use of a product containing a standardized formulation of garlic is normally recommended. More information regarding dietary supplements can be found at the end of this section.

Be aware of any signs of bleeding especially if you have a history of bleeding disorders, are taking "blood thinners" such as warfarin, are taking aspirin or any other anti-inflammatory medicines.

If you are scheduled to have surgery, remember to tell your surgeon and anesthesia specialist that you are taking garlic. In some cases they may want you to discontinue taking the garlic supplement prior to the surgery.

What side effects may I notice from taking garlic?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible for oral garlic:

Rare or uncommon:

• bleeding

• rash

• itching

• swelling of tongue, lips or throat

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome) for oral garlic:

• gas

• nausea

• headache

• upset stomach

Side effects associated with topical garlic applied to the skin should be reported to your prescriber as soon as possible:

• burning of the skin

• inflammation of the skin (dermatitis)

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30[0]C (59 and 86[0]F). Do not freeze. Protect from moisture. Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

GENERAL INFORMATION REGARDING DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS:

Dietary supplements include amino acids, vitamins, minerals, herbs, botanicals, and other plant-derived substances, and extracts of these substances. These products are easy to identify as they must state "Dietary Supplement" on the label. A "Supplement Facts" panel is provided on the label for most products. Supplements are not drugs and are not regulated like drugs. You should note that rigid quality control standards are not required for dietary supplements. Big differences in potency and purity of these products can occur. Scientific data to support the use of a dietary supplement for a certain disease or ailment may not be available. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

The Food and Drug Administration suggests the following to help consumers protect themselves:

• Always read product labels and follow directions.

• "Natural" doesn't mean a product is safe for humans to take.

• Look for products containing ingredients with the "USP" notation. This indicates the manufacturer followed the standards of the US Pharmacopoeia.

• Supplements produced or distributed by a nationally known food or drug company are more likely to be made under tight controls as these companies have standards in place for their other products. You can write to the company for more information about how the product was made.