Safety Profile
Overall safety rating: Safe with Caution
Ginkgo Biloba Side Effects & Safety
Evidence:Moderate
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This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Statements about dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Individual results may vary — consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. Full disclaimer
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
References
- Meta-analysisTan MS, Yu JT, Tan CC, et al. (2015). Efficacy and adverse effects of Ginkgo biloba for cognitive impairment and dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. DOI PubMed
- RCTDeKosky ST, Williamson JD, Fitzpatrick AL, et al. (2008). Ginkgo biloba for prevention of dementia: a randomized controlled trial (GEM Study). JAMA. DOI PubMed
- RCTVellas B, Coley N, Ousset PJ, et al. (2012). 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 PubMed
- Meta-analysisRiepe M, Hoerr R, Schlaefke S (2025). Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761 is safe and effective in the treatment of mild dementia - a meta-analysis of patient subgroups in randomised controlled trials.. The world journal of biological psychiatry : the official journal of the World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry. DOI PubMed
- Meta-analysisWu ZM, Wu W, Ding X, Feng Q, et al. (2025). Neuroprotective effect and possible mechanisms of the extract of ginkgo biloba for spinal cord injury in experimental animal: a meta-analysis and systematic review.. Nutritional neuroscience. DOI PubMed
- Meta-analysisLiu Y, Niu P, Yan J, Ji H, et al. (2024). Efficacy and safety of Ginkgo biloba extract in the treatment of unstable angina pectoris: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.. Journal of ethnopharmacology. DOI PubMed
- Yuan C, Zhang H, Sun C, Zhang K (2023). Efficacy and safety of Ginkgo biloba extract as an adjuvant in the treatment of Chinese patients with sudden hearing loss: a meta-analysis.. Pharmaceutical biology. DOI PubMed
Show 5 more references
- Meta-analysisZou H, Fang J, Han Y, Hu X, et al. (2023). Effects and safety of Ginkgo biloba on blood metabolism in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis.. Frontiers in endocrinology. DOI PubMed
- Xie L, Zhu Q, Lu J (2022). Can We Use Ginkgo biloba Extract to Treat Alzheimer's Disease? Lessons from Preclinical and Clinical Studies.. Cells. DOI PubMed
- Meta-analysisMousavi SN, Hosseinikia M, Yousefi Rad E, Saboori S (2022). Beneficial effects of Ginkgo biloba leaf extract on inflammatory markers: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the clinical trials.. Phytotherapy research : PTR. DOI PubMed
- Meta-analysisSi X, Yu Z, Ren X, Huang L, et al. (2022). Efficacy and safety of standardized Ginkgo biloba L. leaves extract as an adjuvant therapy for sudden sensorineural hearing loss: A systematic review and meta-analysis.. Journal of ethnopharmacology. DOI PubMed
- Meta-analysisLiao Z, Cheng L, Li X, Zhang M, et al. (2020). Meta-analysis of Ginkgo biloba Preparation for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease.. Clinical neuropharmacology. DOI PubMed