Garlic InjectionGangnam, Seoul
Garlic injection is a Korean nickname for fursultiamine injection. Fursultiamine is a derivative of vitamin B1 (thiamine), and in Korea it is approved for preventing and treating vitamin B1 deficiency and for supplementation when the need increases but diet falls short, among other uses. “Fatigue relief” does not appear among its approved indications. QD Clinic first checks your history of hypersensitivity and the injection speed. At QD Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, South Korea, consultation helps determine which options suit your concerns.
Who it’s for
- You want to know what garlic injection contains
- You are concerned about vitamin B1 shortage from an unbalanced diet or drinking and want to discuss it
- You have had hives or dizziness after a garlic injection before
If fatigue persists, checking causes such as anemia, thyroid or sleep problems comes first. The injection does not replace that assessment.
How it works
Fursultiamine injection is approved for vitamin B1 deficiency and supplementation. In the MFDS drug database (nedrug), fursultiamine injection is approved for preventing and treating vitamin B1 deficiency; supplementation when the need increases and dietary intake is insufficient (wasting diseases, hyperthyroidism, pregnancy, breastfeeding, strenuous physical labor, etc.); Wernicke’s encephalopathy; and beriberi heart disease, among others. For cases presumed to involve deficiency, the label says it should not be used aimlessly for about a month if there is no effect.
THE MECHANISM, STEP BY STEP
01Ingredient
The active ingredient is fursultiamine (a vitamin B1 derivative). A 2018 MFDS document lists it as “fursultiamine injection (a.k.a. garlic injection)”.
02Approved indications
Prevention and treatment of vitamin B1 deficiency, supplementation when the need increases, Wernicke’s encephalopathy, beriberi heart disease, etc.
03Duration of use
For cases presumed to involve deficiency or a metabolic disorder, it should not be used aimlessly for about a month if there is no effect.
04Injection speed
Because intravenous injection can cause vein pain, it is to be injected as slowly as possible.
Treatment areas
- Discuss at consultation
- We check whether you are short of vitamin B1 or your need for it has increased — the approved indications assume such situations.
- Medical assessment
- We ask whether you have had hypersensitivity reactions such as a rash or a drop in blood pressure after previous injections.
- Before treatment
- Intravenous injection can cause vein pain, so we let you know in advance that it is given slowly.
What the procedure is like
- 1Medical history — diet and alcohol, history of hypersensitivity
- 2IV access
- 3Slow administration
- 4Check after the injection
The label says to inject as slowly as possible because of vein pain. The actual time is explained at your consultation.
Recovery & aftercare
- You can return to normal activities straight after the injection.
- If the injected arm aches, don’t overuse it.
- If you get hives or feel short of breath, contact the clinic straight away.
What to expect over time
A general guide to how the days and months after treatment usually unfold. Results vary by individual.
During infusion Vein pain
You may feel an aching pain along the arm being injected. If it hurts, we slow down.
During and right after Rare shock
The label says to stop immediately if low blood pressure, chest pain or difficulty breathing occurs.
On the day Other reactions
Rarely rash, nausea, vomiting or tongue inflammation; occasionally diarrhea, headache or frequent urination.
Sessions & results
Our treatment menu has a single session and 5 sessions. Because the label says not to use it aimlessly for about a month without effect, we recheck the need partway through, even with the 5-session option.
How it compares
Clearing up the points the name “garlic” tends to confuse.
| Comparison | Garlic Injection | Vitamin C Injection | QD Inner Beauty Injection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Fursultiamine (a vitamin B1 derivative) | Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) | Glutathione + thioctic acid + ascorbic acid |
| Connection to garlic | Not a garlic ingredient — just a nickname | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Infusion precautions in the label | Vein pain — as slowly as possible | Risk of diarrhea and kidney stones at 1g or more per day | Each ingredient’s precautions apply |
Based on Korean-approved products with the same ingredient.
Safety & considerations
Contraindications and cautions in the label
- History of hypersensitivity to this medicine or its components
- Use with caution if you have a history of hypersensitivity to other medicines
Adverse reactions in the label
- Rarely, shock (low blood pressure, chest pain, difficulty breathing)
- Rarely, rash
- Rarely nausea, vomiting, tongue inflammation; occasionally diarrhea
- Occasionally headache, frequent urination
- Vein pain with intravenous injection
Garlic injection is not a medicine approved for fatigue relief; its approved indications are vitamin B1 deficiency and supplementation. If you have a history of hypersensitivity, be sure to tell us in advance.
Your care at QD Clinic
Checking the need
We look at whether your vitamin B1 needs have increased — diet, alcohol, thyroid disease, pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Hypersensitivity check
We check for any history of hypersensitivity to this or other medicines.
Slow infusion
We give it slowly to reduce vein pain and watch for low blood pressure, chest pain or difficulty breathing.
Frequently asked questions
No. Its active ingredient is fursultiamine, a vitamin B1 derivative. “Garlic injection” is a nickname — the MFDS document lists it as “fursultiamine injection (a.k.a. garlic injection)”.
The words “fatigue relief” do not appear among its approved indications in Korea. Its approved indications are preventing and treating vitamin B1 deficiency, and supplementation when the need increases but diet falls short. If tiredness lasts a long time, the first step is to look for the cause, such as anemia, thyroid problems or poor sleep.
The label states that intravenous injection can cause vein pain, which is why it is to be given as slowly as possible. If it hurts a lot, tell us straight away. We will slow the injection down. If your arm still aches afterwards, avoid straining it for the rest of the day.
Frequent drinking can lead to a vitamin B1 shortage, so we look at this together at your consultation. However, its approved use is supplementation in deficiency or increased need — hangover relief is not an approved indication. Your eating and drinking habits are among the things we check to judge whether your need for vitamin B1 has increased, so please tell us about them as they are.
The label says that, where deficiency is presumed to be involved, it should not be used aimlessly for about a month if there is no effect. Repeat doses are decided after rechecking the need. If you have had any reactions such as a rash, nausea or headache in the meantime, tell us before the next injection.
For international patients
Consultation in English / 中文 / 日本語 · WhatsApp · WeChat · KakaoTalk · a 4-minute walk from Sinnonhyeon / Nonhyeon Station (hours in KST).
How many days should I stay?
Surgery and course-based treatments need a check-up. We tell you before you book whether that means staying longer or coming back another time.
For International Patients