Drug Interactions With Ginkgo

Before taking ginkgo, it is important to be aware that this supplement is prone to causing interactions with several other medications (too many to list). Some of these ginkgo drug interactions may affect the way liver enzymes metabolize other drugs. Other interactions can increase the risk of bleeding or affect blood sugar levels. To avoid these problems, make sure to tell your healthcare provider about any other medications you are taking.

 

An Introduction to Drug Interactions With Ginkgo

Even though ginkgo (ginkgo biloba) is a natural product, it can potentially interact with several medications. In fact, ginkgo may cause significant interactions with many medications, too many to list. Most ginkgo drug interactions fall into the following categories:
 
  • Interactions that affect the way liver enzymes metabolize other drugs
  • Interactions that increase the risk of bleeding
  • Interactions with diabetes medications.
     
Ginkgo Interactions and Liver Enzymes
Many medications are metabolized (broken down) by enzymes in the liver. There are several different types of these enzymes. Research suggests that ginkgo can affect the activity of some of these enzymes. This means that ginkgo could increase or decrease the level of many other medications in the blood, making some medications less effective (or more toxic). If you take any medication, check with your healthcare provider before taking ginkgo. This is especially important for certain drugs, such as heart medications, seizure medications, or birth control pills, as these interactions could lead to serious consequences.
(Drug Interactions With Ginkgo Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;