Ginger, Zingiber officinale oral dosage forms

What is ginger?

GINGER (GNC® Herbal Plus Fingerprinted Ginger and others) is a dietary supplement promoted to improve or prevent the symptoms of nausea and motion sickness. Although ginger is promoted for the treatment of morning sickness, there is not enough study yet to determine this herb's safety; pregnant women should discuss this herb with their health care professional first. Ginger has been promoted for rheumatoid arthritis, but there is not enough study to know if it is effective for this purpose. Ginger is not FDA-approved for any medical purpose. Ginger is commonly used as a cooking spice and a flavoring agent in many foods. A variety of manufactured ginger dietary supplements are available; some persons take fresh ginger root instead of a capsule or other prepared supplement.

What should my health care professional know before I use ginger?

It is important for you to tell your prescriber or other health care professional that you are using ginger. Some herbs exert potent effects and may interact with other drugs you are taking.

You should discuss ginger with your health care professional BEFORE taking it if you have any of these conditions:

• abnormal bleeding problems or a history of bleeding

• diabetes or blood sugar problems (like low blood sugar)

• heart disease or other heart conditions

• gall bladder disease or gallstones

• an unusual or allergic reaction to ginger, other prescription or non-prescription medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

How should I take this medicine?

This herb should be taken by mouth and swallowed.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with ginger?

• anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen or naprosyn

• aspirin, ASA

• cilostazol

• clopidogrel

• dypyridamole

• enoxaparin, heparin or other blood thinning medications

• medicines for treating diabetes or high blood sugar

• ticlopidine

• warfarin

For many herbs, interactions with other medications are unknown. That is why you should always be careful when mixing herbal remedies with traditional medications.

Tell your prescriber or other health care professional about all other medicines you are taking including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also, tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check before stopping or starting any of your medications.

What should I watch for while taking ginger?

Do not use ginger for nausea/vomiting if you are pregnant, unless such use is under the approval of your obstetrician. While side effects on developing babies have not been reported, the studies of this herb during pregnancy are very limited. No pregnant woman should self-treat nausea or vomiting; always seek medical advice.

Since ginger is derived from a plant, allergic reactions are possible. Stop using this product if you develop a rash. You may need to inform your health care professional this has occurred.

Different brands of ginger might contain different amounts of the active ingredients, so be careful to use the same brand. It is recommended that you use a brand from a reliable manufacturer. A standardized product is more likely to contain the same amount of herb from dose to dose. Your health care professional or pharmacist can assist you in finding a reliable product.

If your condition has not improved in 7 days or has worsened, contact your prescriber. Ginger is not intended for long-term use in any person without the supervision of a health care professional.

If you are scheduled to have surgery or dental work, remember to tell your dentist, surgeon and anesthesia specialist that you are using ginger. In some cases they may want you to discontinue using the product prior to the surgery.

What side effects may I notice from taking ginger?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

Rare or uncommon:

• unusual bleeding or bruising

• rash

• itching

• swelling of tongue, lips or throat

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• diarrhea

• heartburn

• headache

• upset stomach

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Do not freeze. Protect from moisture. Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused ginger after the expiration date.

GENERAL INFORMATION REGARDING DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS:

Dietary supplements include amino acids, vitamins, minerals, herbs, botanicals, and other plant-derived substances, and extracts of these substances. These products are easy to identify as they must state "Dietary Supplement" on the label. A "Supplement Facts" panel is provided on the label for most products. Supplements are not drugs and are not regulated like drugs. You should note that rigid quality control standards are not required for dietary supplements. Big differences in potency and purity of these products can occur. Scientific data to support the use of a dietary supplement for a certain disease or ailment may not be available. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

The Food and Drug Administration suggests the following to help consumers protect themselves:

• Always read product labels and follow directions.

• "Natural" doesn't mean a product is safe for humans to take.

• Look for products containing ingredients with the "USP" notation. This indicates the manufacturer followed the standards of the US Pharmacopoeia.

• Supplements produced or distributed by a nationally known food or drug company are more likely to be made under tight controls as these companies have standards in place for their other products. You can write to the company for more information about how the product was made.