Fenugreek (Herb/Suppl)

Brand and Other Names:birds foot, bockshornsam, more...chilbe, foenugraeci semen, Greek hay, griechische Heusamen, hu lu ba, methi, trigonella foenum graecum

Suggested Dosing

Seed

1-2 g PO TID

No more than: 6 g/d

Tea

1 cup mult. times/day; 500 mg seed/150 mL water

Poultice

Apply topically PRN

Paste: 50 g of powdered seed in 0.25-1 L hot water

Diabetes Mellitus, Postprandial Glucose Control

10-15 g PO qDay or in divided doses with meals OR

Hydroalcoholic extract: 1 g PO qDay OR

Seed: 5 g/day PO

Hyperlipidemia

0.6-2.5 g PO BID with meals

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Suggested Uses

Appetite stimulant, atherosclerosis, constipation, diabetes, dyspepsia/gastritis, fevers, kidney ailments, hyperlipidemia/hypertriglyceridemia, lactation promotion, local inflammation (topical)

Efficacy

Diabetes: Reduces postprandial blood glucose in type 1 or 2

Hypercholesterolemia: Conflicting evidence on lowering cholesterol; more studies needed

Hypertriglyceridemia: Preliminary clinical research suggests it may lower triglycerides in type 2 diabetics

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Interactions

Interaction Checker

and Fenugreek

No Results

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    Interactions Found

    Contraindicated

      Serious - Use Alternative

        Significant - Monitor Closely

          Minor

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            Contraindicated (0)

              Serious - Use Alternative (0)

                Monitor Closely (0)

                  Minor (1)

                  • shark cartilage

                    shark cartilage increases effects of fenugreek by pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Enhanced blood sugar lowering effects (theoretical interaction).

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                  Adverse Effects

                  Allergic reaction, asthma, diarrhea, flatulence, hypoglycemia, wheezing, unusual body odor (peds), loss of consciousness (peds)

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                  Warnings

                  Contraindications

                  Hypersensitivity

                  Pediatric patients

                  Cautions

                  Diabetes mellitus

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                  Pregnancy & Lactation

                  Pregnancy Category: avoid use

                  Lactation: avoid use

                  Pregnancy Categories

                  A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.

                  B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.

                  C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.

                  D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.

                  X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.

                  NA: Information not available.

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                  Pharmacology

                  Metabolism: N/A

                  Excretion: N/A

                  Mechanism of Action

                  Foenugracein and other components decr postprandial glucose, glucagon, somatostatin, insulin, total cholesterol, & triglycerides, while increasing HDL

                  Fiber and mucilage slow GI absorption of glucose& cholesterol

                  Steroidal saponins inhibit GI cholesterol absorption

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                  Medscape prescription drug monographs are based on FDA-approved labeling information, unless otherwise noted, combined with additional data derived from primary medical literature.