Garlic, Allium sativum oral dosage forms

What is this medicine?

GARLIC (GAHR lik) is an herbal or dietary supplement. It is mostly promoted as having beneficial effects on cholesterol and heart health. The FDA has not approved this supplement for any medical use.

This herb may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

How should I use this medicine?

Take this supplement by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the package labeling, or take as directed by your health care professional. You can take it with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, take it with food. Do not take this supplement more often than directed.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this supplement in children. Special care may be needed.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

• breathing problems

• unusual bleeding or bruising

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

• garlic odor on breath, skin

• gas

• headache

• nausea

• upset stomach

What may interact with this medicine?

• aspirin and aspirin-like drugs

• cilostazol

• clopidogrel

• dipyridamole

• medicines that treat or prevent blood clots like warfarin, enoxaparin, dalteparin, apixaban, dabigatran, edoxaban, and rivaroxaban

• NSAIDs, medicines for pain and inflammation, like ibuprofen or naproxen

• other herbal or dietary supplements like danshen, dong quai, feverfew, ginger, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, willow bark

• pentoxifylline

• prasugrel

• saquinavir

• ticlopidine

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.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature or as directed on the package label. Protect from moisture. Throw away any unused supplement after the expiration date.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• bleeding disorders

• diabetes

• HIV or AIDS

• taking medicines that treat or prevent blood clots

• an unusual or allergic reaction to garlic, other herbs, plants, medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

If you are going to need surgery or other procedure, tell your doctor that you are using this supplement. You may need to stop taking this supplement before the procedure.

This product may affect blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, check with your doctor or health care professional before you change your diet or the dose of your diabetic medicine.

Herbal or dietary supplements are not regulated like medicines. Rigid quality control standards are not required for dietary supplements. The purity and strength of these products can vary. The safety and effect of this dietary supplement for a certain disease or illness is not well known. 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 does not mean a product is safe for humans to take.

• Look for products that include USP after the ingredient name. This means that the manufacturer followed the standards of the US Pharmacopoeia.

• Supplements made or sold by a nationally known food or drug company are more likely to be made under tight controls. You can write to the company for more information about how the product was made.