Fenugreek

Fenugreek is a plant that is also called Alholva, Bird's Foot, Bockshornklee, Bockshornsame, Chandrika, Fenogreco, Foenugraeci Semen, Greek Clover, Greek Hay, Greek Hay Seed, Hu Lu Ba, Medhika, Methi, Sénégrain, Trigonella, Woo Lu Bar, and other names.

Fenugreek has been used in alternative medicine as a possibly effective way to lower blood sugar levels after meals in people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

Fenugreek has been used in alternative medicine to treat heartburn, high cholesterol, weight loss, upset stomach, constipation, hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), gout, sexual problems, fever, baldness, and to increase breast milk production, among other conditions. However, these uses have not been confirmed by research.

It is not clear if fenugreek works for treating any medical condition. The FDA has not approved the medicinal use of this product. Fenugreek should not replace any medication prescribed by your doctor.

Fenugreek is often sold as an herbal supplement. There are no regulated manufacturing standards for many herbal products, and some supplements on the market have been found to contain toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be bought from a trustworthy source to reduce the risk of contamination.

Fenugreek may also be used for purposes not mentioned in this product guide.

When thinking about using herbal supplements, talk to your doctor. You may also want to consult a practitioner who knows about herbal/health supplements.

If you decide to use fenugreek, follow the directions on the package or what your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider tells you. Do not use more of this product than what is recommended on the label.

Do not use different types of fenugreek (like tablets, liquids, and others) at the same time, unless a healthcare professional specifically tells you to do so. Using different types together raises the risk of an overdose.

Call your doctor if the condition you are treating with fenugreek does not improve, or if it worsens while using this product.

Fenugreek can affect blood-clotting and may increase your risk of bleeding. If you need surgery, dental work, or a medical procedure, stop taking fenugreek at least 2 weeks before.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Follow all instructions on the product label and package. Inform each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you are taking.

Before using fenugreek, speak with your healthcare provider. You may not be able to use fenugreek if you have certain medical conditions.

Ask a doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider if it is safe for you to use this product if you have:

• low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia); or
• bleeding or blood clotting disorders.

Fenugreek is likely unsafe to use during pregnancy. Do not use this product without medical advice if you are pregnant.

Fenugreek is likely unsafe to use if you are nursing a baby. Do not use this product without medical advice if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without medical advice. Fenugreek might be unsafe for children.

Get emergency medical help if you notice signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Although not all side effects are known, fenugreek is thought to be possibly safe when taken for a short time.

Stop using fenugreek and call your healthcare provider right away if you have:

• symptoms of severe hypoglycemia: extreme weakness, confusion, tremors, sweating, fast heart rate, trouble speaking, nausea, vomiting, rapid breathing, fainting, and seizure (convulsions); or
• unusual bruising or bleeding.

Common side effects of fenugreek may include:

• diarrhea, upset stomach, gas;
• "maple syrup" smell in the urine.

This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may happen. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You can report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Skip the missed dose if it is close to the time for your next dose. Do not use extra fenugreek to compensate for the missed dose.

Seek emergency medical help or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Follow your healthcare provider's instructions regarding any restrictions on food, drinks, or activities.

Do not use fenugreek along with other herbal or health supplements that may also affect blood-clotting. This includes angelica (dong quai), capsicum, clove, danshen, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, horse chestnut, panax ginseng, poplar, red clover, saw palmetto, turmeric, and willow.

Do not use fenugreek with other herbal or health supplements that can lower blood sugar, such as alpha-lipoic acid, chromium, devil's claw, garlic, guar gum, horse chestnut, Panax ginseng, psyllium, Siberian ginseng, and others.

Other drugs may interact with fenugreek, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Inform each of your health care providers about all medicines you are currently using and any medicine you begin or stop using.

Do not take fenugreek without medical advice if you are using any of the following medications:

• diabetes medications: glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others;
• medications that slow blood clotting: warfarin (Coumadin), aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with fenugreek, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this product guide.