Fenugreek

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jul 31, 2024.

What are other common names?

• Trigonella foenum-graecum
• Trigonella foenumgraecum
• Alholva
• Bird's Foot
• Bockshornklee
• Bockshornsame
• Egypt Fenugreek
• Fenugreek Seed
• Greek Clover
• Greek Hay
• Greek Hay Seed
• Hu Lu Ba
• Medhika
• Methi
• Methika
• Trigonelle
• Woo Lu Bar

What is this product used for?

Fenugreek is an herb and is also sold as a dietary supplement. It is used to help lower blood sugar.

What are the precautions when taking this product?

• Always check with your doctor before you use a natural product. Some products may not mix well with other drugs or natural products.

• This product may interfere with some lab tests. Be sure to talk with your doctor about this and all drugs you are taking.

• Be sure to tell your doctor that you take this product if you are scheduled for surgery or tests.

• Do not use this product if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant soon, or plan to get someone pregnant. Use birth control you can trust while taking this product.

• Be sure to tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using this natural product.

• Do not use this product in children.

• Take extra care if you are allergic to chickpeas, lentils, soybeans, peanuts, coriander, or green peas.

• Take extra care if you are taking drugs to thin your blood. These are drugs like warfarin, heparin, or enoxaparin.

• Take extra care if you are taking drugs to dissolve blood clots. These are drugs like alteplase, reteplase, or streptokinase.

• Take extra care if you are taking drugs to help with swelling or inflammation. These are drugs like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen.

• Take extra care if you are taking drugs that lower your blood sugar. These are drugs like glipizide, acarbose, metformin, or rosiglitazone.

• Take extra care if you are taking thyroid hormones. These are drugs like levothyroxine or thyroxine.

• If you have blood sugar problems, keep hard candies, glucose tablets, liquid glucose, or juice on hand for low blood sugar.

• Take extra care and check with your doctor if you have:

  • Bleeding problems

  • Diabetes

  • Liver problems

  • Kidney problems

  • Thyroid problems

What should I watch for?

• Upset stomach

• Heartburn

• Stomach bloating and gas

• Increased need to urinate

• Urine that has a maple syrup odor

• Unusual body odor

Related/similar drugs

turmeric, Ginkgo Biloba, creatine

When do I need to call the doctor?

• Signs of a very bad reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; fever; rash; hives; itching, discolored, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat. Go to the ER right away.

• Signs of low blood sugar. These include hunger, dizziness, shaking, a fast heartbeat, confusion, or sweating.

• Signs of nervous system problems. These include twitching, shakiness, increased sensitivity to pain, or convulsions.

• Very bad throwing up

• Very bad loose stools

• Bruising or bleeding that is not normal

• Changes in menstrual periods like lots of bleeding, spotting, or bleeding between cycles

Last Reviewed Date

2023-11-06

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