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Dietary supplement

Glycemic Guard Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Life Extension

Capsule Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Glycemic Guard is a dietary supplement by Life Extension with 2 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for toothache and oral pain, digestive upset, antimicrobial and antifungal.Based on those ingredients, 977 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Clovinol Clove Flower Bud Extract, Delphinol. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Glycemic Guard by Life Extension

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 2 of its 2 active ingredients.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

Glycemic Guard contains 2 active ingredients: Clovinol Clove Flower Bud Extract and Delphinol, a maqui fruit extract. The product also contains several inactive ingredients — cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, silica, and stearic acid — which are fillers and binders that help form the capsule.

Clove flower bud extract is a concentrated source of polyphenols and eugenol, compounds traditionally used for digestive and inflammatory concerns. Maqui is a South American berry rich in anthocyanins, antioxidant compounds.

Neither has established effectiveness for the conditions this product may be marketed to address in our data.

Does it work?

Not established
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Not established

The graded evidence we hold for these ingredients covers different conditions than the ones this product is marketed for, so there's no established rating for its stated use.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: blood sugar support.
  • We looked for evidence on: Impaired glucose tolerance (Prediabetes), Glycemic control, Blood glucose management, Type 2 diabetes prevention.
  • The closest evidence on file: Clove is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Impaired glucose tolerance (prediabetes) (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Maqui is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Impaired glucose tolerance (Prediabetes).

The evidence for both ingredients is limited. For clove, effectiveness is possibly effective for ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) — a serious hospital-acquired lung infection — though this is not a condition most people taking a supplement would be treating.

For cough, pain, and digestive complaints (dyspepsia), clove has insufficient reliable evidence to rate. For maqui (Delphinol), the evidence is also insufficient to rate for dry eye, prediabetes, or general well-being.

Although animal research suggests maqui may reduce blood glucose, human studies with prediabetic patients did not show a benefit on fasting glucose levels.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Clove Maqui

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 2 matched ingredients.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 2 of 2.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 2 of 2.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Clove is well tolerated when eaten as a culinary spice, but concentrated clove supplements and oils can be irritating or toxic in large amounts — even small doses (5–10 mL of clove oil) have caused serious toxicity in children, including liver failure in rare cases. Topical clove is generally well tolerated, but oral clove oil has caused CNS depression, confusion, seizures, and coma in case reports, especially in young children and when mixed with alcohol.

The safety data we hold advises caution with medicinal or essential-oil doses unless cleared by your doctor. Maqui fruit extract safety data is incomplete.

The facts note it is likely safe in food amounts, but supplement safety has not been well studied, and the available data advises against supplement-level doses. There is not enough data on pregnancy and lactation safety for maqui.

For clove, the safety rating is likely safe during pregnancy and lactation when used as a food spice, but medicinal dosing should be discussed with your doctor.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Clove Maqui

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 2 of the 2 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Clove, Maqui.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 978 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Before taking this product, check with your pharmacist if you take antidiabetes drugs (insulin or oral medications), drugs metabolized by liver enzymes CYP2D6, CYP1A2, CYP3A4, or CYP2C9, blood thinners (anticoagulants), or antiplatelet drugs. All of these are theoretical risks based on laboratory research that hasn't yet been confirmed in people, but they're worth verifying against your specific medications.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no established evidence rating for its marketed use. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

If you take antidiabetes medications or blood thinners, or if you're metabolizing any medications through your liver, talk with your pharmacist before starting this product — the interaction risk is real and the evidence for its effectiveness is weak. Clove as a food spice is safe, but the supplement form carries risks, especially for children and in large doses.

The maqui ingredient has incomplete safety data at supplement levels.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 2 of 2 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Apr 24, 2025.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Glycemic Guard, straight from the product label.

Brand Life Extension
Barcode (UPC) 737870212232
Net contents 30 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Apr 24, 2025
DSLD ID 328469
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Glycemic Guard by Life Extension, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
1 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Servings per container
30
UPC/BARCODE
737870212232
IngredientAmount% DV
Clovinol Clove Flower Bud Extract250 mg--
Delphinol200 mg--

Other ingredients: Cellulose, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Silica, Stearic Acid

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
General Statements

Scan for product info

Precautions

Read the entire label and follow the directions carefully prior to use.

Caution: If you are taking blood glucose lowering medication, consult your healthcare provider before taking this product.

Warnings: Keep out of reach of children.

Do not exceed recommended dose. Do not purchase if outer seal is broken or damaged.

When using nutritional supplements, please consult with your physician if you are undergoing treatment for a medical condition or if you are pregnant or lactating.

To report a serious adverse event or obtain product information, contact 1-866-280-2852.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Directions: Take one (1) capsule daily, or as recommended by a healthcare practitioner.

1 daily

Storage

Store tightly closed in a cool, dry place.

Brand IP Statement(s)

Delphinol is a registered trademark of MNL. Clovinol is a registered trademark of Akay USA LLC.

Formulation

Gluten free Non GMO LE Certified

Helps manage after-meal glucose

Seals/Symbols

Non GMO LE Certified

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

FDA Disclaimer Statement

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

See for yourself

Glycemic Guard by Life Extension label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Glycemic Guard by Life Extension

These are the 2 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Vegetarian Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container30 Amounts shown are per serving.

Most supplement products combine several ingredients, and a medication can interact with the product through any one of them. Each ingredient below shows whether it has known drug interactions.

Clovinol Clove Flower Bud Extract

Interacts with
977 drugs
250 mg per serving Form: Polyphenols

Clove is a common cooking spice that is also used in traditional medicine, especially as a topical numbing agent for tooth pain thanks to its main com...

Clovinol Clove Flower Bud Extract monograph & interactions

Delphinol

Interacts with
86 drugs
200 mg per serving Form: Maqui Berry Fruit Extract

Maqui is a dark purple berry from Chile that is very rich in antioxidant plant pigments called anthocyanins. Early research suggests it may help with...

Delphinol monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Cellulose, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Silica, Stearic Acid. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Glycemic Guard by Life Extension Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Glycemic Guard?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

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977Drugs
917 Moderate 60 Minor

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Glycemic Guard with known interactions, here are the types of medications they can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Clovinol Clove Flower Bud Extract7 drug types · 977 drugs

Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, concomitant use of clove extracts with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Clinical and laboratory research suggest that polyphenol extracts from clove flower buds might lower blood glucose levels. Dosing adjustments for insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents may be necessary when taken with clove. Monitor blood glucose levels closely.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 1A2 (Cyp1A2) Substrates

Theoretically, concomitant use of clove may increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP1A2.
In vitro research shows that eugenol, the principal constituent of clove, can inhibit CYP1A2 in a dose-dependent manner,. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 2C9 (Cyp2C9) Substrates

Theoretically, concomitant use of clove may increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2C9.
In vitro research shows that eugenol, the principal constituent of clove, inhibits CYP2C9 in a dose-dependent manner. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 2D6 (Cyp2D6) Substrates

Theoretically, concomitant use of clove may increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2D6.
In vitro research shows that eugenol, the principal constituent of clove, can inhibit CYP2D6 in a dose-dependent manner. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 3A4 (Cyp3A4) Substrates

Theoretically, concomitant use of clove may increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.
In vitro research shows that eugenol, the principal constituent of clove, can inhibit CYP3A4 in a dose-dependent manner. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, clove oil may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Laboratory research suggests that eugenol, a constituent of clove, has antiplatelet activity. This interaction has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence D
Ibuprofen (Advil, Others)

Theoretically, topical application of clove oil with ibuprofen might increase the absorption and side effects of topical ibuprofen.
Laboratory research shows that topical application of clove oil increases the absorption of topical ibuprofen. This interaction has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Delphinol1 drug type · 86 drugs

Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, maqui fruit extract may increase the risk of hypoglycemia when used with antidiabetes drugs.
Animal research shows that maqui berry reduces fasting blood glucose. However, maqui berry extract taken orally, either as a single dose or daily for 3 months, does not decrease fasting blood glucose in prediabetic patients. It is unknown whether it might reduce blood glucose levels in patients with diabetes.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Glycemic Guard, from the product label.

Life Extension

See all Life Extension products
Name
Quality Supplements and Vitamins, Inc.
City
Ft. Lauderdale
State
FL
ZipCode
33309
Phone Number
1-866-280-2852
Web Address
LifeExtension.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Glycemic Guard by Life Extension: Common Questions

Does Glycemic Guard by Life Extension interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Glycemic Guard has a known interaction with 977 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Glycemic Guard contains 2 active ingredients, and an interaction can come from any of them. We check every ingredient, combine the results into one list per medication, and show which ingredient and mechanism is responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Is clove safe to eat as a spice while taking this supplement?
Yes — clove in food amounts is well tolerated. The concern is with concentrated clove supplements and oils, which can be irritating or toxic in large doses. If you're taking Glycemic Guard, you're already getting a concentrated form, so avoid adding clove oil or very high-dose supplements on top of it.
Can I take this if I have prediabetes?
Not without talking to your doctor first. Although this product contains ingredients studied for blood glucose, human trials of maqui extract didn't show a benefit for prediabetes, and both ingredients theoretically lower blood sugar. If you're on any diabetes medication, the risk of low blood sugar is real.
What are the most common side effects?
We have adverse-effect data for clove but not for maqui at supplement doses. Clove taken orally as a spice is generally well tolerated. When clove oil is inhaled or used in high doses, burning, itching, mucous membrane irritation, and dental decay have been reported. Serious effects (liver failure, seizures) are rare but have occurred, especially in children with accidental large-dose exposure.
Is this safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
For clove, the data rates it likely safe during pregnancy and lactation at food-spice levels, but medicinal doses should be cleared with your doctor first. For maqui (Delphinol), we don't have enough safety data to say either way, so talk with your pharmacist or doctor for personalized advice.
How does clove interact with so many medications?
Clove contains eugenol, a compound that can slow down several liver enzymes (CYP2D6, CYP1A2, CYP3A4, CYP2C9) responsible for clearing many different drugs. When these enzymes are slowed, drug levels in your blood may rise, which can increase the risk of side effects. These effects have been shown in laboratory tests but not yet confirmed in people taking both clove and medications together.
Why is the data incomplete for maqui?
Maqui is a less-studied ingredient than clove. We have limited safety information on supplement-level doses, and our data holds no adverse-effects reports or detailed pregnancy-safety information for it. This doesn't mean it's unsafe — it means we need more research to be confident.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

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Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Glycemic Guard label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Glycemic Guard's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 29 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Clove 26 references
  1. The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
  2. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 182 -- Substances Generally Recognized As Safe. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=182
  3. Kanerva L, Estlander T, Jolanki R. Occupational allergic contact dermatitis from spices. Contact Dermatitis 1996;35:157-62. PubMed
  4. Chen SJ, Wang MH, Chen IJ. Antiplatelet and calcium inhibitory properties of eugenol and sodium eugenol acetate. Gen Pharmacol 1996;27:629-33. PubMed
  5. Malson JL, Lee EM, Murty R, et al. Clove cigarette smoking: biochemical, physiological, and subjective effects. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2003;74:739-45. PubMed
  6. Kirsch CM, Yenokida GG, Jensen WA, et al. Non-cardiogenic pulmonary oedema due to the intravenous administration of clove oil. Thorax 1990;45:235-6. PubMed
  7. Pallares, D. E. Link between clove cigarettes and urticaria? Postgrad.Med 10-1-1999;106(4):153. PubMed
  8. Barnard, D. R. Repellency of essential oils to mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae). J Med Entomol. 1999;36(5):625-629. PubMed
  9. Sanchez-Perez, J. and Garcia-Diez, A. Occupational allergic contact dermatitis from eugenol, oil of cinnamon and oil of cloves in a physiotherapist. Contact Dermatitis 1999;41(6):346-347. PubMed
  10. Andersen, K. E., Johansen, J. D., Bruze, M., Frosch, P. J., Goossens, A., Lepoittevin, J. P., Rastogi, S., White, I., and Menne, T. The time-dose-response relationship for elicitation of contact dermatitis in isoeugenol allergic individuals. Toxicol.Appl PubMed
  11. Alqareer, A., Alyahya, A., and Andersson, L. The effect of clove and benzocaine versus placebo as topical anesthetics. J Dent 2006;34(10):747-750. PubMed
  12. Lane, B. W., Ellenhorn, M. J., Hulbert, T. V., and McCarron, M. Clove oil ingestion in an infant. Hum.Exp Toxicol. 1991;10(4):291-294. PubMed
  13. Quirce, S., Fernandez-Nieto, M., del, Pozo, V, Sastre, B., and Sastre, J. Occupational asthma and rhinitis caused by eugenol in a hairdresser. Allergy 2008;63(1):137-138. PubMed
  14. Srivastava, K. C. and Malhotra, N. Acetyl eugenol, a component of oil of cloves (Syzygium aromaticum L.) inhibits aggregation and alters arachidonic acid metabolism in human blood platelets. Prostaglandins Leukot.Essent.Fatty Acids 1991;42(1):73-81. PubMed
  15. Dyrbye, B. A., Dubois, L., Vink, R., and Horn, J. A patient with clove oil intoxication. Anaesth.Intensive Care 2012;40(2):365-366.
  16. Guidotti, T. L., Laing, L., and Prakash, U. B. Clove cigarettes. The basis for concern regarding health effects. West J Med 1989;151(2):220-228.
  17. Anonymous. Evaluation of the health hazard of clove cigarettes. Council on Scientific Affairs. JAMA 12-23-1988;260(24):3641-3644. DOI
  18. Romaguera, C., Alomar, A., Camarasa, J. M., Garcia, Bravo B., Garcia, Perez A., Grimalt, F., Guerra, P., Lopez, Gorretcher B., Pascual, A. M., Miranda, A., and . Contact dermatitis in children. Contact Dermatitis 1985;12(5):283-284. PubMed
  19. Hackett, P. H., Rodriguez, G., and Roach, R. C. Clove cigarettes and high-altitude pulmonary edema. JAMA 6-28-1985;253(24):3551-3552. DOI
  20. Isaacs, G. Permanent local anaesthesia and anhidrosis after clove oil spillage. Lancet 4-16-1983;1(8329):882. PubMed
  21. Saeed, S. A. and Gilani, A. H. Antithrombotic activity of clove oil. J Pak Med Assoc 1994;44(5):112-115.
  22. Hartnoll, G., Moore, D., and Douek, D. Near fatal ingestion of oil of cloves. Arch.Dis Child 1993;69(3):392-393. PubMed
  23. Srivastava, K. C. Antiplatelet principles from a food spice clove (Syzygium aromaticum L) [corrected]. Prostaglandins Leukot.Essent.Fatty Acids 1993;48(5):363-372.
  24. Jiang Q, Wu Y, Zhang H, et al. Development of essential oils as skin permeation enhancers: penetration enhancement effect and mechanism of action. Pharmaceutical Biol. 2017;55(1):1592-1600. PubMed
  25. Mohan R, Jose S, Mulakkal J, Karpinsky-Semper D, Swick AG, Krishnakumar IM. Water-soluble polyphenol-rich clove extract lowers pre- and post-prandial blood glucose levels in healthy and prediabetic volunteers: an open label pilot study. BMC Complement Alt PubMed
  26. Alharbi NFM, Ahad A, Bin Jardan YA, Al-Jenoobi FI. Effect of eugenol on cytochrome P450 1A2, 2C9, 2D6, and 3A4 activity in human liver microsomes. Saudi Pharm J 2024;32(7):102118. PubMed

See these in context on the Clove monograph →

Maqui 3 references
  1. Alvarado JL, Leschot A, Olivera-Nappa Á, et al. Delphinidin-rich maqui berry extract (Delphinol®) lowers fasting and postprandial glycemia and insulinemia in prediabetic individuals during oral glucose tolerance tests. Biomed Res Int. 2016;2016:9070537. PubMed
  2. Alvarado J, Schoenlau F, Leschot A, Salgad AM, Vigil Portales P. Delphinol® standardized maqui berry extract significantly lowers blood glucose and improves blood lipid profile in prediabetic individuals in three-month clinical trial. Panminerva Med. 2016
  3. Hidalgo J, Flores C, Hidalgo MA, et al. Delphinol® standardized maqui berry extract reduces postprandial blood glucose increase in individuals with impaired glucose regulation by novel mechanism of sodium glucose cotransporter inhibition. Panminerva Med.

See these in context on the Maqui monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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