7 mins read

Overview: Garlique is a dietary supplement that is commonly used to help manage high cholesterol, high blood sugar, and high blood pressure. However, its benefits are not well defined. Common side effects include breath and body odor, gas, nausea, and stomach pain. Serious side effects are rare but may include allergic reactions. Different Garlique products may have different ingredients. Read the label to find out what ingredients your product has. Before using Garlique, tell your health care provider about any health conditions you have or medicines you are taking.

Uses

What is Garlique used for?

Garlique is commonly used to manage high cholesterol, high blood sugar, or high blood pressure. However, its benefits are not well defined.

If you have any of these conditions, do not try to treat them on your own. Talk to your health care provider about your treatment options. If you are already taking a medicine for any of these conditions, talk to your health care provider before starting Garlique. 

Note: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not reviewed Garlique for safety and effectiveness, and it is not approved by the FDA. Learn more about dietary supplements here.

See also: Garlic

How does Garlique work (mechanism of action)?

Garlique contains garlic (which is a plant called Allium sativum). The garlic in Garlique products always contains a certain amount of allicin, which is a chemical found in garlic. Some Garlique products may also contain other ingredients, such as vitamins and minerals.

Allicin, a chemical in Garlique, has various effects in the body. It can lower the amount of cholesterol made by the liver and increase the breakdown of bad (LDL) cholesterol. It can also increase the amount of insulin made by your pancreas, which can help lower blood sugar levels. Allicin may also make the platelets in your blood less sticky, which can help with blood flow through your blood vessels.

Some research shows that taking garlic can lower the levels of cholesterol and sugar in the blood by a small amount. It may also lower blood pressure by a small amount. But these studies did not use Garlique, so it is not clear if Garlique has the same effects. 

How is Garlique supplied (dosage forms)?

Garlique is a dietary supplement that may be available in various strengths and dosage forms, such as a tablet that is swallowed. The ingredients in Garlique products may vary. Always check the label to see what ingredients your product has.

How should I store Garlique?

Storage requirements for Garlique have not been provided with the product packaging. Most dietary supplements should be kept in a cool, dry location that is out of reach of children and pets and not in direct sunlight.

 

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Garlique?

The most common side effects of Garlique are listed below. These side effects may vary depending on the dose you are taking. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Breath or body odor
  • Gas
  • Nausea
  • Stomach pain

There may be other side effects of Garlique that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a supplement. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov or by calling 888-SAFEFOOD (888-723-3366). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Garlique?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Garlique are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Garlique may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking Garlique and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives, which can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Garlique?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take Garlique.

  • Garlic
  • Garlique
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Garlique.

What should I know about Garlique before using it?

Garlique is a dietary supplement. It cannot be marketed to treat or cure a disease.

There may be multiple forms of Garlique, and they may have different ingredients or be taken in different ways. Read and follow the directions on the specific product you are using, or use it as recommended by your health care provider.

Keep Garlique out of the reach of children.

Garlique may be taken with or without food. But taking Garlique with a meal or a snack may help reduce the risk of side effects.

Garlique contains a standardized form of garlic. This means that the garlic found in Garlique products always contains a certain amount of allicin, a chemical naturally found in garlic. Other products that contain garlic may have different amounts of allicin and the other chemicals found in garlic. If you switch between Garlique and other garlic products, you may not have the same effects or side effects. Talk to your health care provider if you have questions or concerns.

Garlique is a type of tablet (enteric coated) that does not dissolve in your stomach. Instead, it dissolves in your intestines. This may help protect your throat and stomach from garlic, which can be irritating, and limit the smell of garlic on your breath. It may also increase the amount of garlic that reaches your intestine. This may help reduce its side effects and increase its effects in your body, but these claims have not been confirmed by research.

The FDA has not tested Garlique products to confirm that they contain the ingredients stated on their labels. Some dietary supplements have been tested by third-party organizations to confirm that they contain the ingredients listed on their labels and do not contain any harmful chemicals. Learn more about how to choose a safe dietary supplement product here.

What should I tell my health care provider before using Garlique?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if Garlique is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Allergies to Certain Plants. Garlique contains garlic, which is closely related to other plants such as onions, leeks, and chives. People who have an allergy to these other plants may be more likely to have an allergic reaction to Garlique. If you have an allergy to one of these plants, talk to your health care provider before taking Garlique.

Other Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Bleeding problems
  • Upcoming surgery or other medical procedure

Other Medicines and Supplements. Garlique may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking Garlique, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how Garlique could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. Garlique passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

How can I get more information about Garlique?

For more information about Garlique, you can visit the supplement maker’s website at www.garlique.com or call them at 888-844-4043.

Interactions

Does Garlique interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Garlique and foods or drinks. But taking Garlique with food might help reduce the risk of side effects.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Garlique.

Does Garlique interact with medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking Garlique.

  • A blood thinner, which is a medicine used to treat or prevent blood clots
  • An antiplatelet medicine, such as aspirin/dipyridamole, cilostazol, clopidogrel (Plavix), or ticagrelor (Brilinta), which is a medicine used to prevent blood clots
  • Aspirin, which is in many prescription and OTC products, including those for pain, swelling, and fever
  • A medicine for diabetes
  • A protease inhibitor, such as atazanavir (Reyataz), nelfinavir (Viracept), or ritonavir (Norvir), which is a medicine commonly used to treat HIV

Garlique may alter the blood levels of some medicines. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

The interactions between Garlique and medicines are not fully understood. As with most dietary supplements, the research on drug interactions with Garlique is incomplete. Always check with your health care provider before taking Garlique with any medicines.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Garlique?

If you or someone else has used too much Garlique, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Garlique?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.