Drug interactions
Garlic + Ginko biloba
Severity: Minor
Garlic and Ginko biloba: minor interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Both supplements have antiplatelet properties, so taking them together may add to the tendency to bleed. Case reports of bruising or bleeding exist, but controlled evidence is limited and the effect is usually modest in healthy people.
What this interaction means in plain words
Garlic and Ginko biloba have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Garlic belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract; Ginko biloba belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract.
Why it happens
Additive inhibition of platelet function (ginkgolide inhibition of platelet-activating factor and garlic ajoene effects on platelet aggregation).
What to do
Ask patients about herbal use before surgery or invasive procedures and advise stopping both beforehand. Watch for unusual bruising or bleeding if either is combined with other antithrombotic therapy.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Garlic and Ginko biloba, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 14 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Ginko biloba
- Ginko biloba + Ketorolac Major
- Abciximab + Ginko biloba Moderate
- Aceclofenac + Ginko biloba Moderate
- Acemetacin + Ginko biloba Moderate
- Alteplase + Ginko biloba Moderate
- Anagrelide + Ginko biloba Moderate
Other interactions of Garlic
- Garlic + Saquinavir Major
- Aceclofenac + Garlic Moderate
- Acemetacin + Garlic Moderate
- Aescin + Garlic Moderate
- Alteplase + Garlic Moderate
- Argatroban + Garlic Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Garlic with Ginko biloba?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Garlic and Ginko biloba have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Both supplements have antiplatelet properties, so taking them together may add to the tendency to bleed. Case reports of bruising or bleeding exist, but controlled evidence is limited and the effect is usually modest in healthy people.
How serious is the interaction between Garlic and Ginko biloba?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Ask patients about herbal use before surgery or invasive procedures and advise stopping both beforehand. Watch for unusual bruising or bleeding if either is combined with other antithrombotic therapy.
What other medicines interact with Ginko biloba?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Ginko biloba with, for example, Ketorolac, Abciximab, Aceclofenac. The full list is on the Ginko biloba page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
