Drug interactions
Garlic + Tolfenamic acid
Severity: Moderate
Garlic and Tolfenamic acid: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Garlic supplements may inhibit platelet aggregation, and tolfenamic acid, an NSAID, also impairs platelet function and can cause gastric irritation. Together they may increase bleeding risk. Evidence is theoretical or from isolated reports.
What this interaction means in plain words
Garlic and Tolfenamic acid can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Garlic belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract; Tolfenamic acid belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive antiplatelet effects, with NSAID-related gastric mucosal injury.
What to do
Avoid concentrated garlic supplements while using tolfenamic acid, or monitor for bruising and gastrointestinal bleeding. Use the lowest effective NSAID dose briefly.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Garlic
- Garlic + Saquinavir Major
- Aceclofenac + Garlic Moderate
- Acemetacin + Garlic Moderate
- Aescin + Garlic Moderate
- Alteplase + Garlic Moderate
- Argatroban + Garlic Moderate
Other interactions of Tolfenamic acid
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Garlic with Tolfenamic acid?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Garlic and Tolfenamic acid can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Garlic supplements may inhibit platelet aggregation, and tolfenamic acid, an NSAID, also impairs platelet function and can cause gastric irritation. Together they may increase bleeding risk. Evidence is theoretical or from isolated reports.
How serious is the interaction between Garlic and Tolfenamic acid?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid concentrated garlic supplements while using tolfenamic acid, or monitor for bruising and gastrointestinal bleeding. Use the lowest effective NSAID dose briefly.
What other medicines interact with Garlic?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Garlic with, for example, Saquinavir, Aceclofenac, Acemetacin. The full list is on the Garlic page.
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