Although scientific evidence is not conclusive, garlic is believed to have the potential for benefiting health in a number of areas, ranging from protecting against cancer to preventing heart disease to fighting infection. Garlic is low in toxicity and is generally regarded as safe by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, it may still cause side effects, particularly in high doses.
Common Side Effects
Garlic tablets can commonly cause minor but bothersome side effects. These may include a burning or irritation in the mouth, gas, bloating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, heartburn or indigestion. Garlicky breath and body odor are particularly common. There is also some evidence that garlic influences the flavor of breast milk.
Although no adverse effects have been reported by pregnant or lactating women, there is insufficient scientific data to determine whether garlic tablets are truly safe when taken under these circumstances.
Handling garlic for long periods of time can also irritate the skin, causing a stinging sensation or skin lesions or blisters. This is more likely when handling fresh or dried garlic as opposed to tablets.
Rare Side Effects
Rare side effects associated with the use of garlic tablets include headache, dizziness, vertigo, fatigue, loss of appetite and muscle aches. An allergic reaction may also occur, causing a skin rash, swelling of the lips, tongue or face, and an asthma-like reaction that includes shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing.
Uncontrolled Bleeding
Garlic has blood-thinning properties. Taking large amounts of garlic can thin the blood too much, increasing your risk of bleeding internally or during or after surgical procedures. Those who are planning on having surgery or delivering a baby should stop taking garlic roughly two weeks prior or notify their doctor if they have been taking garlic tablets.
Symptoms related to internal gastrointestinal bleeding include black or tarry stools, a bright red color in the stool, or vomiting blood. Bleeding in the brain can cause hemorrhagic stroke, identified by symptoms like severe headache, vision problems, difficulties speaking or understanding speech, and weakness or numbness on one side of the face, an arm or a leg.
Because garlic tablets may thin the blood, they can interact with other drugs that also act as blood thinners such as aspirin (Bayer), clopidogrel (Plavix), and heparin or heparin-like medications. Garlic tablets may also interact with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and naproxen, oral contraceptives (birth control pills), and protease inhibitors.
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