Ginkgo Biloba
WHAT IS GINKGO BILOBA AND HOW DOES IT WORK?
Ginkgo biloba is an herb used to treat altitude sickness (prevention), cerebral vascular insufficiency, cognitive disorders, dementia, dizziness/vertigo, intermittent claudication, macular degeneration/glaucoma, memory loss, premenstrual syndrome, SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction, and as a vasodilator.
Documented increases in cerebral blood flow (greater effect in patients 50 years and older).
Documented increase in peripheral blood flow in diabetes, intermittent claudication, and hearing loss.
Studies underway for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)-induced erectile dysfunction; initial results are positive.
Ginkgo biloba is available under the following different brand and other names: Eun-haeng, fossil tree, ginko biloba, ginkyo, icho, ityo, Japanese silver apricot, kew tree, maidenhair tree, salisburia, and silver apricot.
DOSAGES OF GINKGO BILOBA
Altitude Sickness, Prevention
Leaf extract:
80 mg taken orally two times daily
Cognitive Function
Leaf extract:
120-600 mg taken orally two times daily
Dementia
Leaf extract:
120-240 mg taken orally in divided doses two to three times daily
Intermittent Claudication
Leaf extract:
120-240 mg taken orally in divided doses two to three times daily
Premenstrual Syndrome
Leaf extract:
80 mg taken orally two times daily; start on day 16 and continue until day 5 of next cycle
SSRI-induced Sexual Dysfunction
Leaf extract:
60-240 mg taken orally two times daily
Vertigo/Tinnitus
Leaf extract:
120-160 mg/d taken orally in divided doses two to three times daily
Raynaud's Disease
Leaf extract:
360 mg/d taken orally in divided doses three times daily
Normal Tension Glaucoma
Leaf extract:
40 mg taken orally three times daily for 4 weeks
Other Information
Leaf extract:
Standardized to 24% flavonoids, 6% terpenes
Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows:
There are no dosage considerations for use of gingko biloba.
WHAT ARE SIDE EFFECTS ASSOCIATED WITH USING GINKGO BILOBA?
Side effects of ginkgo biloba include:
Allergic skin reactions
Bleeding disordersConstipation
Contact dermatitis (topical use)
Diarrhea
Dizziness
Impaired fertility
Headache
Nausea/vomiting
Palpitations
Restlessness
Seizures
Stomach upset
Subdural hematoma
Weakness
Vertigo (rare)
Case reports of spontaneous bleeding from iris (in the eye) when used with aspirin
This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.
WHAT OTHER DRUGS INTERACT WITH GINKGO BILOBA?
If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider or pharmacist first.
Severe interactions of Ginkgo biloba include:
There are no known severe reactions from the use of Ginkgo biloba.
Serious interactions of Ginkgo biloba include:
There are no known serious reactions from the use of Ginkgo biloba.
Moderate interactions:
Ginkgo Biloba has known moderate interactions with at least 75 different drugs.
Mild interactions:
bciximab
anagrelide
anamu
cilostazol
clopidogrel
danshen
devil's claw
dipyridamole
eptifibatide
green tea
prasugrel
ticlopidine
tirofiban
This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your physician if you have health questions or concerns.
WHAT ARE WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS FOR GINKGO BILOBA?
Warnings
This medication contains ginkgo biloba. Do not take Eun-haeng, fossil tree, ginko biloba, ginkyo, icho, ityo, Japanese silver apricot, kew tree, maidenhair tree, salisburia, orsilver apricot if you are allergic to ginkgo biloba or any ingredients contained in this drug.
This medication contains Ginkgo biloba. Do not take Zyprexa, Zyprexa Relprevv, or Zyprexa Zydis if you are allergic to Ginkgo biloba or any ingredients contained in this drug.
Keep out of reach of children. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center immediately.
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity
Avoid prior to surgery: may cause bleeding.
Attempting conception
Effects of Drug Abuse
No information available
Short-Term Effects
No information available
Long-Term Effects
No information available
Cautions
Bleeding disorders, concurrent seizure threshold lowering drugs, diabetes mellitus, or seizure disorder.
WARNING: seeds and fruit pulp are toxic.
May modulate some CYP 450 enzymes but clinical significance unknown, monitor when using concomitant substrates (e.g., CYP3A4).
Pregnancy and Lactation
There is no information available about use of ginkgo biloba during pregnancy or lactation. Consult your doctor.
Click here for Download pdf of patient informationClick here for Download pdf of prescribing information
HOW IT WORKS
GINKGO BILOBA TABLET
The compounds found in ginkgo may have a protective role in different stages of the decline of intellectual function via several mechanisms of action: vasoregulating activity of arteries, capillaries, and veins (increased blood flow), platelet activating factor (PAF) antagonism, homeostasis of inflammation and oxidative stress, and prevention of cell membrane damage caused by free radicals, and neurotransmission modulation.