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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Are The Effects Of Ginkgo Medicine?

Hi, I recently started taking ginkgo biloba to improve my brain.function I,m 72. Some of my friends said that I should check with my doctor as ginkgo can interfere with other meds. Is this true and if so what health conditions and meds would be affected?
Tue, 9 Jan 2018
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Ginkgo biloba, more commonly known as ginkgo, has been used medicinally for over 1000 years. Ginkgo was originally utilized by traditional Chinese clinicians for a variety of problems. Presently, its use is currently found to be beneficial (as per various research and clinical trials) in prevention and treatment of dementia, sexual dysfunction and few psychiatric conditions like depression and schizophrenia.
The drug has an otherwise good safety profile. Following are few interactions documented in literature
1. The risk of spontaneous bleeding may be increased when ginkgo biloba extract is combined with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and anticoagulants such as heparin or warfarin. Concomitant use of ginkgo with these agents should be avoided.
2. Episodes of serious bleeding from the use of ginkgo and low-dose (81 mg/day) daily aspirin prophylaxis have not been reported. Although this combination is likely safe, caution should be exercised.
3. Caution should be exercised when ginkgo is combined with other herbs known to increase bleeding (eg, garlic, ginseng, ginger).
4. There is some data to caution against the use of ginkgo biloba extract in patients taking other antidepressants due to the potential risk of precipitating serotonin syndrome (agitation, hyperthermia, diaphoresis, tachycardia, and neuromuscular disturbances including rigidity)
I hope i could do justice to your query.
Thanks

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What Are The Effects Of Ginkgo Medicine?

Ginkgo biloba, more commonly known as ginkgo, has been used medicinally for over 1000 years. Ginkgo was originally utilized by traditional Chinese clinicians for a variety of problems. Presently, its use is currently found to be beneficial (as per various research and clinical trials) in prevention and treatment of dementia, sexual dysfunction and few psychiatric conditions like depression and schizophrenia. The drug has an otherwise good safety profile. Following are few interactions documented in literature 1. The risk of spontaneous bleeding may be increased when ginkgo biloba extract is combined with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and anticoagulants such as heparin or warfarin. Concomitant use of ginkgo with these agents should be avoided. 2. Episodes of serious bleeding from the use of ginkgo and low-dose (81 mg/day) daily aspirin prophylaxis have not been reported. Although this combination is likely safe, caution should be exercised. 3. Caution should be exercised when ginkgo is combined with other herbs known to increase bleeding (eg, garlic, ginseng, ginger). 4. There is some data to caution against the use of ginkgo biloba extract in patients taking other antidepressants due to the potential risk of precipitating serotonin syndrome (agitation, hyperthermia, diaphoresis, tachycardia, and neuromuscular disturbances including rigidity) I hope i could do justice to your query. Thanks