Gingko Biloba Interactions

with Drugs and Supplements

There are gingko biloba interactions with some drugs and other supplements that need to be considered if you are going to take gingko biloba.

As far as supplements, if you are taking garlic or vitamin e, there may be interactions with gingko. Consult with a doctor if you are unsure or concerned. And if you notice any bleeding, or bruising, or new headaches and changes in vision, see a doctor.

Gingko inhibits platelet aggregation, and for this reason, if you are taking anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs like spirin, clopidogrel, dipyridamole, heparin, ticlopidine, or warfarin, you should not be taking gingko.

Medherb states, on (http://medherb.com/92DRGHRB.htm) gingko biloba interactions with blood thinners:

"Interactions between blood-thinning herbs and pharmaceutical medications with the same action present perhaps the greatest risk of drug-herb interactions in modern practice. The risk is due to the gravity of the underlying condition that requires a blood-thinner, and to the fragile dose range and serious side effects of of the pharmaceutical drugs themselves. The drugs must be given in high enough doses to prevent the formation of life-threatening clots, but can cause serious and life-threatening bleeding disorders if given in too high a dose."

Problems have occurred in people even taking aspirin regularly, so this is something to comsider if you are thinking of doing so. They recommend caution also with other blood thinning herbs, for the same reasons.

Other gingko biloba interactions: If you are taking carbamazepine or valproic acid gingko in large doses it could reduce the effectiveness of your anticonvulsant drugs. MAOI's (a class of antidepressants) are thought to be enhanced, both the benefits, and the side effects. And there have only been two reports of negative interactions of gingko with thiazide diuretics and the antidepressant trazodone. So see a health practitioner if you are taking those.

On the positive side, beneficial gingko biloba interactions have occurred with papaverine, in the treatemnt of erectile problems, and gingko may help protect the cell membrane during treatment with cyclosporine.

For a great resource on gingko biloba, see this article.

In closing, depsite these gingko biloba drug interactions, gingko is considered to be safe and side effects are rare. Like any medicine, it needs to be used wisely, and only when truly needed.

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