Skip to main content
SupplementScience

Ginkgo Biloba Side Effects & Safety

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. Full disclaimer

Safety Profile

Overall safety rating: Safe with Caution

Potential Side Effects

  • Headache (most common, usually transient)
  • Digestive upset, nausea
  • Dizziness
  • Allergic skin reactions (rare — related to ginkgolic acids; quality extracts minimize this)
  • Increased bleeding risk with anticoagulant medications

Drug & Supplement Interactions

  • Anticoagulants and antiplatelets (warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel) — ginkgo inhibits PAF and may increase bleeding risk
  • NSAIDs — additive bleeding risk
  • Anticonvulsants — ginkgo may reduce seizure threshold in susceptible individuals
  • CYP3A4 and CYP2C9 substrates — potential for pharmacokinetic interactions
  • SSRIs — rare reports of serotonin syndrome when combined

Maximum Dose

Do not exceed: 240mg/day of standardized extract

Full Ginkgo Biloba Guide

References

  1. (). Efficacy and adverse effects of Ginkgo biloba for cognitive impairment and dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. DOI
  2. (). Ginkgo biloba for prevention of dementia: a randomized controlled trial (GEM Study). JAMA. DOI
  3. (). Long-term use of standardised Ginkgo biloba extract for the prevention of Alzheimer's disease (GuidAge): a randomised placebo-controlled trial. The Lancet Neurology. DOI