Drug interactions
Ginko biloba + Heparin
Severity: Moderate
Ginko biloba and Heparin: moderate 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
Ginkgo biloba may impair platelet function and add to the bleeding risk of heparin. Evidence is limited to case reports and mechanistic reasoning.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ginko biloba and Heparin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Ginko biloba belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract; Heparin belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Ginkgo's platelet-activating factor antagonism adds antiplatelet effects to heparin's anticoagulation.
What to do
Advise stopping ginkgo while on heparin. Monitor aPTT or anti-Xa levels and watch for bleeding.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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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 Heparin
- Defibrotide + Heparin Contraindicated
- Heparin + Ketorolac Contraindicated
- Heparin + Oritavancin Contraindicated
- Acemetacin + Heparin Major
- Acetylsalicylic acid + Heparin Major
- Alteplase + Heparin Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ginko biloba with Heparin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ginko biloba and Heparin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Ginkgo biloba may impair platelet function and add to the bleeding risk of heparin. Evidence is limited to case reports and mechanistic reasoning.
How serious is the interaction between Ginko biloba and Heparin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Advise stopping ginkgo while on heparin. Monitor aPTT or anti-Xa levels and watch for bleeding.
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.
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