[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) › [Herbal products and dietary supplements](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/herbal-products-and-dietary-supplements/) › Ginkgo

# Ginkgo

## Herbal products and dietary supplements?

Herbal products and dietary supplements

## Pregnancy: avoid?

Avoid in pregnancy. It may be unsafe in pregnancy; use near delivery might cause early labour or extra bleeding.

Leaf extract of the Ginkgo biloba tree, promoted for memory. Large trials found no protection against dementia; it may raise bleeding risk.

Updated Nov 1, 2026

Also called: Ginkgo biloba, Ginkgo folium

## Quick facts

**Group**
[Herbal products and dietary supplements](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/herbal-products-and-dietary-supplements/)

**Target**
Platelet-activating factor and vascular tone (proposed)

**Used for**
Promoted for memory and dementia

**Key effects**
Headache and dizziness · Stomach upset

**Monitor**
Signs of bleeding and INR · Cognitive status

**ATC**
N06DX02

No doses: the clinician sets them by the current guideline.

On this page

- The basics Mechanism of action
- Indications
- Adverse effects
- Pharmacokinetics
- Memory aid

- Clinical What the labels mean

- Safety Contraindications
- Key interactions
- What is monitored
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Nursing care

- Study Test yourself

- Connections Connections

## Mechanism of action

Ginkgo leaf extract contains flavonoids and terpenoids such as the ginkgolides. In animal and laboratory studies it antagonises platelet-activating factor, reduces blood viscosity and promotes vasodilation, and the flavonoids act as antioxidants. These effects explain the theoretical bleeding risk; they have not translated into proven clinical benefit.

- Ginkgolides and flavonoids are absorbed from the extract
- Platelet-activating factor is antagonised; vessels dilate
- Platelet function may be reduced
- Bleeding risk rises with anticoagulants

## Indications

- Promoted for memory and dementia; large trials in older adults found it did not reduce dementia risk [Dementia (major neurocognitive disorder) →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/dementia/)
- Also promoted for tinnitus, peripheral artery disease and anxiety, without conclusive evidence [Peripheral artery disease →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/peripheral-artery-disease/)

## Adverse effects

### Common

- Headache and dizziness
- Stomach upset
- Allergic skin reactions

### Serious (rare, important)

- Bleeding, especially with anticoagulants or antiplatelets
- Poisoning from eating fresh (or even roasted) seeds

## Contraindications

- Use with anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs without supervision
- Before surgery

## Key interactions

**Warfarin**
Higher bleeding risk

**Acetylsalicylic acid, clopidogrel and other antiplatelets**
Additive antiplatelet effect

## What is monitored

- Signs of bleeding and INR in patients on warfarin
- Cognitive status in patients using it for memory complaints

## Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Avoid in pregnancy. It may be unsafe in pregnancy; use near delivery might cause early labour or extra bleeding.

## Nursing care

- Ask every patient about herbal products and supplements and record them with the medicine list
- Ask about ginkgo before surgery and procedures with bleeding risk
- Teach that «natural» does not mean safe and that supplements are not approved as medicines before sale

## Pharmacokinetics

**Absorption**
Taken by mouth as a standardised leaf extract

## Memory aid

The four G's that bleed: Ginkgo, Garlic, Ginseng, Glucosamine.

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## Did ginkgo prevent dementia in large trials?

No; large trials in older adults found no reduction in dementia or Alzheimer disease.

## Which interaction makes ginkgo important before surgery?

It may increase bleeding, especially with warfarin or antiplatelet drugs.

## Which part of the ginkgo plant is toxic when eaten?

The seeds, especially fresh ones.

[Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/pharmacology/ginkgo/)

[More Pharmacology questions →](https://durgical.com/en/practice/?f=pharmacology)

## What the labels mean

**Pregnancy: avoid**
Avoid in pregnancy. It may be unsafe in pregnancy; use near delivery might cause early labour or extra bleeding.

## Connections

## Related drugs 2

- [Warfarin](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/warfarin/)
- [Acetylsalicylic acid](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/acetylsalicylic-acid/)

## Related conditions 2

- [Dementia (major neurocognitive disorder)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/dementia/)
- [Peripheral artery disease](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/peripheral-artery-disease/)

[← Back to the class: Herbal products and dietary supplements](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/herbal-products-and-dietary-supplements/)

Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.

Sources: [Ginkgo: Usefulness and Safety](https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/ginkgo) (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), 2025); [ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index](https://atcddd.fhi.no/atc_ddd_index/?code=N06DX02) (WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, 2026).

## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake

Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/ginkgo/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/ginkgo/