What Is Ginkgo Biloba?

Potential Medication Interactions

There are several drugs and medications an individual may be taking that may have adverse interactions with ginkgo biloba. Medications that go through the liver for processing and breakdown can interact with ginkgo biloba. Taking ginkgo biloba can make certain medications less effective, such as anticonvulsants like carbamazepine and valproic acid. The risk of serotonin syndrome increases when an individual takes ginkgo biloba with serotonin reuptake inhibitors like escitalopram, citalopram, fluvoxamine, fluoxetine, paroxetine, and sertraline. Ginkgo biloba can amplify the effects of certain types of MAOI medications like phenelzine. Medications used to keep blood pressure low like calcium channel blockers are also known to interact with ginkgo biloba in some individuals. Medications used to thin the blood should not be taken along with ginkgo biloba because it increases an individual's bleeding risk. Ginkgo biloba may influence blood sugar and insulin, which can cause problems with certain medications used to manage glucose and insulin.