Ginkgo Biloba

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

Leaf extract:

• 120-600 mg taken orally two times daily

Leaf extract:

• 120-240 mg taken orally in divided doses two to three times daily

Leaf extract:

• 120-240 mg taken orally in divided doses two to three times daily

Leaf extract:

• 80 mg taken orally two times daily; start on day 16 and continue until day 5 of next cycle

Leaf extract:

• 60-240 mg taken orally two times daily

Leaf extract:

• 120-160 mg/d taken orally in divided doses two to three times daily

Leaf extract:

• 360 mg/d taken orally in divided doses three times daily

Leaf extract:

• 40 mg taken orally three times daily for 4 weeks

Leaf extract:

• Standardized to 24% flavonoids, 6% terpenes

There are no dosage considerations for use of Ginkgo Biloba.

Side effects of ginkgo biloba include:

• Allergic skin reactions
• Bleeding disorders
• Constipation
• 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.

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:

• abciximab
• 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.

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.