Garlic Side Effects, Interactions and Warnings

Garlic
Side Effects, Interactions and Warnings





  • Garlic reinforces warfarin action by heterogeneous mechanisms. It should thus not be used in patients on oral anticoagulant and/or antiplatelet therapy.

    – Oral anticoagulants and medicinal plants. An emerging interaction — Argento A, Tiraferri E, Marzaloni M. — Ann Ital Med Int. 2000 Apr;15(2):139-43.

  • Garlic may increase the risk of bleeding or potentiate the effects of warfarin therapy.

    – Am J Health Syst Pharm 2000 Jul 1;57(13):1221-7; quiz 1228-30 —
    Potential interactions between alternative therapies and warfarin. — Heck AM, DeWitt BA, Lukes AL.

  • Changes pharmacokinetic variables of paracetamol, decreases blood concentrations of warfarin and produces hypoglycaemia when taken with chlorpropamide.
    – Drugs 2001;61(15):2163-75 — Interactions between herbal medicines and prescribed drugs: a systematic review. — Izzo AA, Ernst E.

  • May produce bad breath,
    heartburn, flatulence, gastrointestinal irritation and nausea. These are the most common side effects. Odorless products may lessen the effect of bad breath.
    – Murray, M. — The Pill Book Guide to Natural Medicines: Vitamins, Minerals, Nutritional Supplements, Herbs, and Other Natural Products. — Bantam, 2002. 659.

  • It would be wise to consult with your physician if you suffer from type 2 diabetes as garlic may increase the effectiveness of drugs that reduce blood sugar levels.
    – Murray, M. — The Pill Book Guide to Natural Medicines: Vitamins, Minerals, Nutritional Supplements, Herbs, and Other Natural Products. — Bantam, 2002. 659-660.















last update: February 2014