What is the recommended dose of Ginkgo Biloba?

- **Standard extract (EGb 761):** 120-240mg/day in divided doses - **Claudication:** 120-160mg/day for ≥24 weeks - **Cognitive (dementia):** 240mg/day - **Standardization:** Must contain 24% flavon...

Is Ginkgo Biloba safe to take daily?

Ginkgo Biloba is rated "Prescription Interactions" based on clinical evidence. - Headache, dizziness, GI upset (most common) - Allergic skin reactions (ginkgolic acid content, quality products remove this) - Spontaneous bleeding (rare but documented: subdural hematoma, hyphema) - Seizures (rare, con

Does Ginkgo Biloba interact with any medications?

Ginkgo Biloba has 7 known drug interactions, including interactions with Warfarin / anticoagulants, Aspirin / NSAIDs, SSRIs. Check with your doctor before combining with prescription medications.

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Ingredient Research

Graded against 173,636 supplements + 177 published clinical interactions, sourced from PubMed, FDA CAERS, openFDA, NIH DSLD

Ginkgo Biloba

MODERATE EVIDENCEBotanicalLast updated April 2026

AVELOR SUMMARY

Ginkgo biloba is one of the oldest and most studied herbal supplements, with over 400 clinical trials. Our research shows moderate evidence for peripheral artery disease (claudication), tinnitus, and cognitive function in dementia, but a large NIH-funded trial (GEM study, 3,069 participants) found NO benefit for preventing dementia or cognitive decline in healthy elderly. The bleeding risk is clinically significant, ginkgo should be stopped before surgery and avoided with blood thinners.

EVIDENCE GRADES

Peripheral artery disease (claudication)Moderate, improved walking distance (UNCITED: the cited PMID did not support this claim and was removed; this statement is not currently sourced)

Dementia/Alzheimer's (treatment)Moderate, some positive trials, EGb 761 extract

B-

Dementia preventionNegative, GEM trial definitively negative (PMID: 19017911)

TinnitusMixed results; may help in acute cases

C+

AnxietyPreliminary positive data

C+

Cognitive function (healthy adults)Inconsistent, mostly negative

C-

Sexual dysfunction (SSRI-induced)Small positive trials

C+

WHAT IT DOES

The standardized extract (EGb 761) contains flavone glycosides (24%) and terpene lactones (6%, ginkgolides and bilobalide). Mechanisms include: increased cerebral blood flow, platelet-activating factor (PAF) antagonism, antioxidant activity, and neuroprotective effects. The PAF antagonism is why ginkgo increases bleeding risk, it literally blocks platelet activation.

OPTIMAL DOSAGE

Standard extract (EGb 761): 120-240mg/day in divided doses
Claudication: 120-160mg/day for ≥24 weeks
Cognitive (dementia): 240mg/day
Standardization: Must contain 24% flavone glycosides + 6% terpene lactones
Duration: Minimum 8-12 weeks for cognitive effects

Scan a supplement containing Ginkgo Biloba

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Warfarin / anticoagulantsSevere

PAF antagonism → increased bleeding risk; case reports of hemorrhage

Aspirin / NSAIDsSevere

Additive antiplatelet effects → bleeding risk

SSRIsModerate

Ginkgo has serotonergic properties; additive effects + bleeding risk

AnticonvulsantsModerate

May reduce seizure threshold (controversial)

CYP3A4 / CYP2C9 substratesModerate

In vitro CYP induction; clinical significance variable

AlprazolamModerate

May reduce alprazolam levels via CYP3A4 induction

TrazodoneSevere

Case report of coma when combined with ginkgo

SAFETY PROFILE

Drug Interactions

Side Effects

Headache, dizziness, GI upset (most common)
Allergic skin reactions (ginkgolic acid content, quality products remove this)
Spontaneous bleeding (rare but documented: subdural hematoma, hyphema)
Seizures (rare, controversial)

⚠️ Surgical Warning

Discontinue ginkgo at least 2 weeks before surgery due to antiplatelet effects.

Pregnancy & Lactation

AVOID, antiplatelet effects increase bleeding risk during pregnancy; insufficient safety data

WADA Status

Not Prohibited

WHO SHOULD BE CAREFUL

HOW AVELOR SCORES THIS

EGb 761 standardized extract (24/6) scores highest, most clinical data

Products not meeting 24% flavone glycosides / 6% terpene lactones: flag

Ginkgolic acid content: should be <5 ppm (allergenic/mutagenic). Products without third-party testing: flag.

Warfarin/anticoagulant users: automatic SEVERE bleeding alert

Pre-surgery: automatic 2-week discontinuation warning

Products claiming "memory enhancement in healthy adults": flag, GEM trial was definitively negative

CLINICAL REFERENCES

Reference identifiers on this page are being re-verified against PubMed. Some may not yet link to the paper named beside them.

, DeKosky ST et al. Ginkgo biloba for prevention of dementia (GEM study). *JAMA.* 2008.

(2008). PMID: 19017911

RELATED RESEARCH

Apigenin Extended, See apigenin.md

ApigeninChamomile extract

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ArjunaArjuna bark

Scan Your Ginkgo Biloba Supplement Browse all ingredients

Independently graded against 173,636 indexed supplements with 177 published clinical interactions, sourced from PubMed, FDA CAERS, openFDA, and NIH DSLD | Last updated: April 2026

Not medical advice. Based on published clinical research and systematic reviews.

Ginkgo Biloba · interaction landscape

5 flagged

Dangerous

Moderate

Timing

Pre-op

Safety

Ginkgo Biloba: Drug Interactions

Discuss with prescriber

Clinically significant interactions per published research. Talk to your prescriber or pharmacist before using this supplement if you take any of these.

Warfarin and other anticoagulants
Ginkgo inhibits platelet-activating factor (PAF).
RiskSerious bleeding, including case reports of intracranial hemorrhage.
ActionAvoid combination. Stop ginkgo 2 weeks before surgery.
SourceFDA MedWatch reports
Aspirin and NSAIDs
Additive antiplatelet effect.
RiskIncreased bleeding, including GI and intracranial.
ActionAvoid combination.
SourceClinical pharmacology

Use with caution

Moderate interactions. Monitoring, timing separation, or dose adjustment may be required.

Seizure medications (valproate, phenytoin)
Ginkgo may lower seizure threshold.
RiskBreakthrough seizures.
ActionAvoid in epilepsy patients.
SourceCase reports
CYP2C9 substrates
Ginkgo may induce CYP2C9.
RiskReduced drug levels.
ActionMonitor.
SourceIn vitro data

Stop 2 weeks before surgery

Bleeding risk from PAF inhibition.

Educational information only. This is not medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Talk to your prescriber before starting, stopping, or combining any supplement with prescription medication.

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