GARLIC

56/100 · Moderate

Manufactured by Boiron

Garlic Adverse Events: Moderate Safety Concerns with Common Mild Reactions

10,017 FDA adverse event reports analyzed

Last updated: 2026-05-12

About GARLIC

GARLIC is a medication tracked in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), manufactured by Boiron. Based on analysis of 10,017 FDA adverse event reports, GARLIC has a safety score of 56 out of 100. This moderate score indicates a notable volume of adverse event reports that patients and providers should be aware of. The most commonly reported adverse reactions for GARLIC include FATIGUE, NAUSEA, DIARRHOEA, HEADACHE, DIZZINESS. This page provides a comprehensive breakdown of reported side effects, safety signals, patient demographics, and AI-powered safety analysis for GARLIC.

AI Safety Analysis

Garlic has a safety concern score of 56 out of 100, placing it in the elevated concern category based on analysis of FDA adverse event data. The FDA has received approximately 10,017 adverse event reports for this medication, which is primarily manufactured by Boiron.

The most commonly reported adverse events include Fatigue, Nausea, Diarrhoea. Of classified reports, 54.2% were designated as serious by the FDA, meaning they involved hospitalization, disability, or other significant medical outcomes. Most reported reactions are mild to moderate in severity.

Fatigue, nausea, and diarrhea are the most common reactions. Serious reactions, such as death and pneumonia, are reported but less frequent. Age distribution shows a higher number of reports from older adults.

Patients taking Garlic should monitor for the commonly reported side effects and contact their healthcare provider if they experience any unusual symptoms. Garlic may interact with blood pressure medications and should be used with caution in patients with hypertension. It can also affect blood clotting and should be monitored in patients on anticoagulants. This analysis is based on voluntary FDA adverse event reports and should not replace professional medical advice.

Safety Score: 56/100

Garlic received a safety concern score of 56/100 (elevated concern). This is based on a 54.2% serious event ratio across 4,208 classified reports. The score accounts for 10,017 total adverse event reports and 100 distinct reaction types. This elevated score indicates a notable proportion of serious adverse events and warrants careful monitoring.

Top Adverse Reactions

FATIGUE421 reports
NAUSEA315 reports
DIARRHOEA279 reports
HEADACHE270 reports
DIZZINESS248 reports
PAIN244 reports
DYSPNOEA240 reports
DRUG INEFFECTIVE235 reports
ARTHRALGIA228 reports
PAIN IN EXTREMITY210 reports
ASTHENIA198 reports
PRURITUS186 reports
RASH167 reports
BACK PAIN157 reports
WEIGHT DECREASED157 reports
COUGH155 reports
MALAISE148 reports
FALL147 reports
CONSTIPATION145 reports
INSOMNIA142 reports
FEELING ABNORMAL132 reports
OFF LABEL USE130 reports
MUSCLE SPASMS126 reports
FLUSHING124 reports
MYALGIA121 reports
CHEST PAIN119 reports
DECREASED APPETITE118 reports
GAIT DISTURBANCE112 reports
PNEUMONIA106 reports
ANXIETY105 reports
PYREXIA105 reports
BLOOD PRESSURE INCREASED104 reports
PARAESTHESIA102 reports
HYPERTENSION101 reports
VOMITING100 reports
WEIGHT INCREASED99 reports
PERIPHERAL SWELLING95 reports
DEPRESSION92 reports
HYPOAESTHESIA87 reports
ABDOMINAL DISCOMFORT82 reports
NASOPHARYNGITIS82 reports
SOMNOLENCE80 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN UPPER79 reports
URINARY TRACT INFECTION79 reports
VISION BLURRED76 reports
CONTUSION75 reports
DEATH75 reports
ERYTHEMA74 reports
PALPITATIONS73 reports
SINUSITIS73 reports
OEDEMA PERIPHERAL72 reports
CONDITION AGGRAVATED71 reports
DEHYDRATION71 reports
MEMORY IMPAIRMENT70 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN69 reports
ANAEMIA69 reports
PRODUCT DOSE OMISSION ISSUE67 reports
TREMOR66 reports
COVID 1965 reports
ALOPECIA64 reports
CHEST DISCOMFORT64 reports
NEUROPATHY PERIPHERAL64 reports
BLOOD GLUCOSE INCREASED63 reports
EPISTAXIS63 reports
JOINT SWELLING63 reports
ABDOMINAL DISTENSION61 reports
CHILLS60 reports
HEART RATE INCREASED60 reports
OROPHARYNGEAL PAIN60 reports
DRY MOUTH59 reports
MUSCULAR WEAKNESS59 reports
BALANCE DISORDER57 reports
HYPOTENSION57 reports
DRUG HYPERSENSITIVITY56 reports
DYSPEPSIA56 reports
CONFUSIONAL STATE55 reports
DRUG DOSE OMISSION55 reports
EYE PAIN52 reports
HYPERSENSITIVITY52 reports
DRUG INTERACTION51 reports
HYPERHIDROSIS51 reports
MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION51 reports
ATRIAL FIBRILLATION50 reports
GASTROOESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE50 reports
RHINORRHOEA50 reports
PLATELET COUNT DECREASED49 reports
BLOOD CHOLESTEROL INCREASED48 reports
CEREBROVASCULAR ACCIDENT48 reports
INJECTION SITE PAIN48 reports
BRONCHITIS47 reports
FLATULENCE47 reports
OCULAR HYPERAEMIA47 reports
PRODUCTIVE COUGH47 reports
SLEEP DISORDER47 reports
VISUAL IMPAIRMENT47 reports
URTICARIA46 reports
AMNESIA45 reports
LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS44 reports
CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE43 reports
MUSCULOSKELETAL PAIN43 reports

Key Safety Signals

  • High frequency of gastrointestinal reactions like nausea and diarrhea.
  • Multiple reports of cardiovascular issues including chest pain and palpitations.
  • Significant number of reports related to respiratory issues such as cough and pneumonia.
  • Several cases of neurological symptoms including dizziness and headache.

Patient Demographics

Adverse event reports by sex: Female: 2,431, Male: 1,627, Unknown: 2. The most frequently reported age groups are age 71 (101 reports), age 69 (89 reports), age 72 (89 reports). These demographics reflect reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Report Outcomes

Out of 4,208 classified reports for GARLIC:

  • Serious: 2,280 reports (54.2%) — includes hospitalization, disability, life-threatening events, or death
  • Non-Serious: 1,928 reports (45.8%)
Serious 54.2%Non-Serious 45.8%

The FDA classifies an adverse event as “serious” if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, congenital anomaly, or requires intervention to prevent permanent damage.

Demographics Breakdown

Reports by Sex

Female2,431 (59.9%)
Male1,627 (40.1%)
Unknown2 (0.0%)

Reports by Age

Age 71101 reports
Age 6989 reports
Age 7289 reports
Age 7086 reports
Age 6583 reports
Age 6683 reports
Age 6782 reports
Age 7381 reports
Age 7581 reports
Age 6379 reports
Age 6078 reports
Age 6878 reports
Age 6477 reports
Age 6276 reports
Age 7676 reports
Age 7474 reports
Age 6172 reports
Age 7872 reports
Age 7771 reports
Age 5957 reports

Demographics reflect voluntary FDA adverse event reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Drug Interactions & Warnings

Garlic may interact with blood pressure medications and should be used with caution in patients with hypertension. It can also affect blood clotting and should be monitored in patients on anticoagulants.

What You Should Know

If you are taking Garlic, here are important things to know. The most commonly reported side effects include fatigue, nausea, diarrhoea, headache, dizziness. While many of these may be mild and temporary, you should contact your healthcare provider if any symptoms are severe or persistent. Consult a healthcare provider before starting garlic supplements, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are taking other medications. Monitor for any unusual symptoms and discontinue use if severe reactions occur. If you experience a serious adverse reaction, seek emergency medical attention immediately or call 911. You can report side effects to the FDA's MedWatch program at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Regulatory Context

The FDA continues to monitor garlic supplements for safety. Consumers should report any adverse events to the FDA's MedWatch program.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many adverse event reports has the FDA received for Garlic?

The FDA has received approximately 10,017 adverse event reports associated with Garlic. These reports come from healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers through the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Note that the number of reports does not directly indicate the frequency of side effects, as adverse events are voluntarily reported and may be underrepresented.

What are the most commonly reported side effects of Garlic?

The most frequently reported adverse events for Garlic include Fatigue, Nausea, Diarrhoea, Headache, Dizziness. By volume, the top reported reactions are: Fatigue (421 reports), Nausea (315 reports), Diarrhoea (279 reports). These figures reflect FDA adverse event reports and may not represent the true incidence rate of these side effects in all patients taking Garlic.

What percentage of Garlic adverse event reports are serious?

Out of 4,208 classified reports, 2,280 (54.2%) were classified as serious and 1,928 as non-serious. The FDA classifies an event as "serious" if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, or other medically significant outcomes. A higher serious-event ratio warrants closer attention but does not necessarily mean the drug is unsafe.

Who reports adverse events for Garlic (by sex)?

Adverse event reports for Garlic break down by patient sex as follows: Female: 2,431, Male: 1,627, Unknown: 2. This distribution reflects reporting patterns rather than actual risk differences between groups. Reporting rates can be influenced by prescribing patterns, disease demographics, and reporting behavior.

What age groups report the most side effects for Garlic?

The most frequently reported age groups for Garlic adverse events are: age 71: 101 reports, age 69: 89 reports, age 72: 89 reports, age 70: 86 reports, age 65: 83 reports. Age-related reporting patterns can reflect both the demographics of the patient population and potential age-related susceptibility to certain side effects.

Who manufactures Garlic?

The primary manufacturer associated with Garlic adverse event reports is Boiron. Multiple manufacturers may produce generic versions of this drug. The manufacturer listed reflects the most frequently reported brand in FDA adverse event data.

What other side effects have been reported for Garlic?

Beyond the most common reactions, other reported adverse events for Garlic include: Pain, Dyspnoea, Drug Ineffective, Arthralgia, Pain In Extremity. Less common side effects can still be clinically significant. Patients should report any unusual symptoms to their healthcare provider.

How do I report a side effect from Garlic?

You can report adverse events from Garlic to the FDA through their MedWatch program at www.fda.gov/medwatch, by calling 1-800-FDA-1088, or by completing Form FDA 3500. Healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers can all submit reports. Reporting helps the FDA monitor drug safety after approval.

What is Garlic's safety score and what does it mean?

Garlic has a safety concern score of 56 out of 100 (elevated concern). This score is calculated from the ratio of serious to non-serious adverse events, the diversity of reported reactions, and the overall volume of reports relative to usage. Most reported reactions are mild to moderate in severity.

What are the key safety signals for Garlic?

Key safety signals identified in Garlic's adverse event data include: High frequency of gastrointestinal reactions like nausea and diarrhea.. Multiple reports of cardiovascular issues including chest pain and palpitations.. Significant number of reports related to respiratory issues such as cough and pneumonia.. Several cases of neurological symptoms including dizziness and headache.. These signals are derived from patterns in FDA reports and should be discussed with a healthcare provider for personalized assessment.

Does Garlic interact with other drugs?

Garlic may interact with blood pressure medications and should be used with caution in patients with hypertension. It can also affect blood clotting and should be monitored in patients on anticoagulants. Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs you are taking before starting Garlic.

What should patients know before taking Garlic?

Consult a healthcare provider before starting garlic supplements, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are taking other medications. Monitor for any unusual symptoms and discontinue use if severe reactions occur.

Are Garlic side effects well-documented?

Garlic has 10,017 adverse event reports on file with the FDA. Fatigue, nausea, and diarrhea are the most common reactions. The volume of reports for Garlic reflects both the drug's usage level and the vigilance of the reporting community.

What is the FDA's position on Garlic?

The FDA continues to monitor garlic supplements for safety. Consumers should report any adverse events to the FDA's MedWatch program. For the most current regulatory information, check the FDA's drug labeling database or consult your pharmacist.

Related Drugs

Drugs related to GARLIC based on therapeutic use, drug class, or shared indications:

Boiron
Important Disclaimer: This content is generated by AI analysis of FDA adverse event reports and is provided for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Adverse event reports submitted to the FDA do not prove that a medication caused the reported side effect. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you experience a serious side effect, contact your doctor or call 911 immediately.