⛔
Regulatory ban. This ingredient is banned or restricted in one or more countries. See Regulatory Status below.
⚠️
Major drug interaction. This ingredient has clinically significant drug interactions. See Drug Interactions below before use.
CAU

Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo biloba
Use with Caution V1 Verified Herbs & Botanicals
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PubMed Studies
358
About

Standardised ginkgo biloba leaf extract (EGb 761) with 24% flavonol glycosides and 6% terpene lactones. Used for dementia, tinnitus, and peripheral vascular disease.

How it works (mechanism of action)

Contains bioactive phytochemicals (alkaloids, terpenoids, polyphenols, or glycosides) modulating cellular signalling pathways. Primary mechanisms include enzyme inhibition, receptor modulation, and transcription factor activation relevant to documented clinical indications.

⚖️ Regulatory Status
⛔
PH — Banned
FDA Philippines — ephedra and ephedrine alkaloid-containing food supplements banned following international regulatory action.
⛔
NL — Banned
NVWA prohibition (2004).
⛔
MY — Banned
NPRA Malaysia — ephedra and ephedrine alkaloid supplements prohibited.
⛔
PT — Banned
ASAE Portugal prohibition aligned with EU ban on ephedrine alkaloid supplements.
⛔
SA — Banned
SFDA Saudi Arabia — ephedra and ephedrine alkaloid supplements prohibited. Controlled as prescription drug.
⛔
IT — Banned
Italian Ministry of Health — ephedra and ephedrine alkaloid supplements prohibited under EU Directive 2002/46/EC.
⛔
AE — Banned
UAE MOH prohibition — ephedra supplements banned. Ephedrine controlled as pharmaceutical.
⛔
SE — Banned
Livsmedelsverket Sweden prohibition aligned with EU Directive 2002/46/EC.
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ID — Banned
BPOM Indonesia — ephedra and ephedrine alkaloid supplements prohibited.
⛔
SG — Banned
HSA Singapore prohibition (2004) — ephedra alkaloid supplements prohibited.
⛔
NZ — Banned
Medsafe NZ — ephedrine alkaloid supplements banned following FDA and TGA action.
⛔
FR — Banned
ANSES recommended ban of kava following hepatotoxicity signals from nutrivigilance system.
⛔
EU — Banned
European Commission ban (2002) under Directive 2002/46/EC — all ephedra and ephedrine alkaloid supplements.
⛔
ES — Banned
AEMPS Spain prohibition aligned with EU ban on ephedrine alkaloid supplements.
⛔
DK — Banned
Banned (2023) — Danish Veterinary and Food Administration (DVFA). Liver toxicity and thyroid disruption reports. All preparations ordered off market.
⛔
DE — Banned
BfArM banned kava-containing products in Germany in 2002 due to hepatotoxicity risk. Cases of liver failure and death reported.
⛔
US — Banned
FDA ban (2004) — cardiovascular adverse events and deaths. Final rule 21 CFR 119. All ephedrine alkaloids banned from dietary supplements.
⛔
CH — Banned
Swissmedic banned kava in Switzerland due to hepatotoxicity.
⛔
CA — Banned
Health Canada ban (2002) — all ephedra and ephedrine alkaloid-containing supplements.
⛔
BE — Banned
FASFC Belgium prohibition aligned with EU Directive 2002/46/EC.
⛔
AU — Banned
TGA ban (2003) — cardiovascular adverse events. Ephedra alkaloids banned from complementary medicines.
⛔
PL — Banned
GIS Poland prohibition aligned with EU Directive 2002/46/EC.
⚠️
TH — Restricted
FDA Thailand — ephedrine controlled as pharmaceutical. Not permitted in food supplements.
⚠️
IN — Restricted
CDSCO India (2004) — available only under prescription as pharmaceutical products.
⚠️
TW — Restricted
TFDA Taiwan — ephedrine controlled as pharmaceutical drug. Not permitted as health food ingredient. Products with ephedra claims require pharmaceutical registration.
⚠️
ZA — Restricted
SAHPRA (2004) — Schedule 2; pharmacist oversight required.
⚠️
KR — Restricted
MFDS South Korea (2003) — maximum dose restrictions. Not permitted for weight loss products.
⚠️
JP — Restricted
MHLW Japan (2003) — maximum dose limits; not permitted for weight loss marketing. Ephedrine controlled under pharmaceutical regulations.
⚠️
IE — Restricted
FSAI monitoring (2024) following Danish ban and hepatotoxicity reports. Products without adequate safety data may face withdrawal.
⚠️
HK — Restricted
Department of Health Hong Kong — ephedrine-containing preparations controlled as pharmaceutical products. Not permitted as health food supplements without pharmaceutical registration.
⚠️
GB — Restricted
MHRA (2004) — ephedrine alkaloid supplements restricted. Maximum doses apply under the Medicines Act.
⚠️
CN — Restricted
NMPA China — Ma Huang (ephedra) controlled. Ephedrine alkaloid content restrictions; not permitted for weight loss products. Export of ephedra controlled internationally.
💊
AT — Prescription only
AGES Austria — melatonin classified as prescription-only medicinal product. Not permitted as food supplement.
ℹ️
EU — Monitored
EMA HMPC monograph: use for 6 weeks max without reassessment. Significant bleeding risk with anticoagulants. [source ↗]
📊 Effectiveness
Intermittent claudication
Evidence Grade A · 8 studies · n=480 · Meta-analysis available
Likely Effective
Cognitive function (elderly)
Evidence Grade B · 21 studies · n=1,840 · Meta-analysis available
Possibly Effective
Cognitive function
Evidence Grade B · 25 studies · n=3,800
Possibly Effective
Tinnitus
Evidence Grade B · 14 studies · n=1,800
Possibly Effective

Evidence grades: A=Strong RCT evidence · B=Good clinical trials · C=Limited trials · D=Preliminary/traditional

👥 Safety by Population
PopulationSafety RatingMax Safe Dose
SurgeryPossibly unsafeStop 2 weeks before surgery
GeneralPossibly safe240mg/day
GeneralPossibly safeNot established
PregnancyPossibly safeNot established
ElderlyPossibly safe120-240mg/day standardised extract
ElderlyPossibly safeNot established
🚫 Contraindications & Warnings

Consult a healthcare professional before use if pregnant, breastfeeding, taking prescription medications, or if you have a medical condition. Keep out of reach of children.

💊 Drug Interactions (10)
🔴 Warfarin
Major
Anticoagulants
Management: Avoid. Stop 36-72 hours before surgery. Multiple hemorrhage case reports.
🔴 Aspirin / Clopidogrel
Major
Antiplatelet drugs
Management: Avoid especially at higher doses. Hemorrhagic complications documented.
🔴 Irinotecan
Major
Chemotherapy
Management: Contraindicated during irinotecan chemotherapy.
🔴 Apixaban / Rivaroxaban
Major
Anticoagulants (DOACs)
Management: Avoid combination.
🔴 Anticonvulsants
Major
Antiepileptics
Management: AVOID in patients with epilepsy or taking anticonvulsants.
🟡 Nifedipine
Moderate
Calcium channel blockers
Management: Avoid with dihydropyridine CCBs. Hypotension risk.
🟡 Trazodone / SSRIs
Moderate
Antidepressants
Management: Monitor for serotonin syndrome signs.
🟡 Insulin / Glipizide
Moderate
Antidiabetics
Management: Monitor blood glucose closely.
🟡 Tacrolimus
Moderate
Immunosuppressants
Management: Monitor drug levels in transplant patients.
⚪ SSRIs
Minor
Antidepressant
Management: Monitor for unusual symptoms.
⚠️ Adverse Effects (1)
Seizure lowering threshold
rare Moderate
Neurologic system
Ginkgotoxin can reduce seizure threshold. Significant concern in epilepsy patients.
🏷️ Other Names
Ginkgo biloba Ginkgo Ginkgo biloba extract Ginkgo 240mg Ginkgo 120mg EGb 761
Updated: 2026-04-11
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