Ginkgo

ByLaura Shane-McWhorter, PharmD, University of Utah College of Pharmacy
Reviewed/Revised Jan 2023
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(See also Overview of Dietary Supplements and National Institutes of Health (NIH): Ginkgo.)

Claims

Evidence

to placebo (1).

2-45). Further studies are warranted with regard to the clinical use of this supplement for dementia.

A 2013 Cochrane review (6

789).

Adverse Effects

Nausea, dyspepsia, headache, dizziness, and heart palpitations may occur. It should not be used by pregnant women because it may lead to early labor or excessive bleeding during childbirth. Gingko also should be stopped at least 2 weeks before surgery because of the potential for excessive bleeding.

Drug Interactions

10). (See also table Some Possible Dietary Supplement–Drug Interactions.)

References

  1. 1. Nicolaï SP, Kruidenier LM, Bendermacher BL, et al: Gingko biloba for intermittent claudication. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 6: CD006888, 2013. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD006888.pub3

  2. 2. Vellas B, Coley N, Ousset PJ, et al; GuidAge Study Group: Long-term use of standardised Gingko biloba extract for the prevention of Alzheimer's disease (GuidAge): a randomised placebo-controlled trial. Lancet Neurol 11(10):851-859, 2012. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(12)70206-5

  3. 3. Snitz BE, O'Meara ES, Carlson MC, et al; Ginkgo Evaluation of Memory (GEM) Study Investigators: Gingko biloba for preventing cognitive decline in older adults: a randomized trial. JAMA 302(24):2663-2670, 2009. doi: 10.1001/jama.2009.1913

  4. 4. DeKosky ST, Williamson JD, Fitzpatrick AL, et al; Ginkgo Evaluation of Memory (GEM) Study Investigators: Gingko biloba for prevention of dementia: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA 300(19):2253-2262, 2008. doi: 10.1001/jama.2008.683

  5. 5. Yuan Q, Wang CW, Shi J, et al: Effects of gingko biloba on dementia: an overview of systematic reviews. J Ethnopharmacol 195:1-9, 2017. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2016.12.005

  6. 6. Evans JR: Gingko biloba extract for age-related macular degeneration. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 31; 1:CD001775, 2013. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD001775.pub2

  7. 7. Hilton MP, Zimmermann EF, Hunt WT: Gingko biloba for tinnitus. Cochrane Database Syst Rev (3):CD003852, 2013. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD003852.pub3

  8. 8. Tsai TY, Wang SH, Lee YK, et al: Gingko biloba extract for prevention of acute mountain sickness: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. BMJ Open 8(8):e022005, 2018. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-022005

  9. 9. Aziz TA, Hussain SA, Mahwi TO, et al. The efficacy and safety of Gingko biloba extract as an adjuvant in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients ineffectively managed with metformin: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Drug Des Devel Ther 12:735-742, 2018. doi: 10.2147/DDDT.S157113

  10. 10. Nguyen T, Alzahrani T: Gingko biloba. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; July 4, 2022.

More Information

The following English-language resource may be useful. Please note that THE MANUAL is not responsible for the content of this resource.

  1. National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: General information on the use of gingko as a dietary supplement

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