Ginger

Generic name: Ginger
Drug class: Herbal products

Usage of Ginger

Ginger is an herb also known as Amomum Zingiber, Ardraka, Black Ginger, Cochin Ginger, Gan Jiang, Gingembre, Ginger Essential Oil, Ginger Root, Imber, Jengibre, Jiang, Kankyo, Kanshokyo, Nagara, Race Ginger, Racine de Gingembre, Rhizoma Zingiberi, Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens, Sheng Jiang, Shoga, Shokyo, Shunthi, Srungavera, Sunth, Sunthi, Vishvabheshaja, and other names.

Ginger has been used in alternative medicine as a possibly effective aid in treating nausea and vomiting caused by taking HIV/AIDS medications or nausea and vomiting associated with pregnancy, menstrual pain, or joint pain caused by osteoarthritis.

Ginger has also been used to treat or prevent motion sickness, and muscle pain after exercise. However, research has shown that ginger may not be effective in treating these conditions.

Other uses not proven with research have included alcohol hangover, migraine headaches, nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy, trouble swallowing, high cholesterol, rheumatoid arthritis, insect bite, dry mouth, inflammatory bowel disease, hypertension, indigestion, and other conditions.

It is not certain whether ginger is effective in treating any medical condition. Medicinal use of this product has not been approved by the FDA. Ginger should not be used in place of medication prescribed for you by your doctor.

Ginger is often sold as an herbal supplement. There are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for many herbal compounds and some marketed supplements have been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.

Ginger may also be used for purposes not listed in this product guide.

Ginger side effects

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

Although not all side effects are known, ginger is thought to be likely safe for most people when used as directed.

Common side effects of ginger may include:

heartburn, diarrhea, stomach discomfort;

burping; or

skin irritation (if applied to skin).

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

Before taking Ginger

Before using ginger, talk to your healthcare provider. You may not be able to use this product 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 or have ever had:

a bleeding or blood clotting disorder such as hemophilia;

diabetes; or

any heart conditions.

Ask a doctor before using this product if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without medical advice.

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Warnings

Follow all directions on the product label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

What other drugs will affect Ginger

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

nifedipine;

medication used to treat or prevent blood clots--clopidogrel (Plavix), heparin, warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven), dalteparin (Fragmin), Enoxaparin (Lovenox), aspirin, alteplase, dipyridamole, ticlopidine, and others;

insulin or oral diabetes medicine; or

blood pressure medications.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect ginger, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.