Drug interactions
Ginko biloba + Indomethacin
Severity: Moderate
Ginko biloba and Indomethacin: 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 has antiplatelet activity through inhibition of platelet-activating factor, and indomethacin impairs platelet function and irritates the gastric mucosa. Used together they may raise the risk of bleeding, including gastrointestinal bleeding. The clinical evidence consists mainly of case reports and is limited.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ginko biloba and Indomethacin 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; Indomethacin belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive antiplatelet effects: ginkgolides antagonize platelet-activating factor while indomethacin inhibits COX-1-mediated thromboxane production.
What to do
Ask patients about ginkgo use and advise stopping it if an NSAID is needed regularly. Monitor for signs of bleeding such as black stools, bruising or hematuria.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Ginko biloba and Indomethacin, 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 Indomethacin
- Indomethacin + Ketorolac Contraindicated
- Indomethacin + Ketorolac intranasal Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Indomethacin Major
- Acemetacin + Indomethacin Major
- Acetylsalicylic acid + Indomethacin Major
- Alteplase + Indomethacin Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ginko biloba with Indomethacin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ginko biloba and Indomethacin 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 has antiplatelet activity through inhibition of platelet-activating factor, and indomethacin impairs platelet function and irritates the gastric mucosa. Used together they may raise the risk of bleeding, including gastrointestinal bleeding. The clinical evidence consists mainly of case reports and is limited.
How serious is the interaction between Ginko biloba and Indomethacin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Ask patients about ginkgo use and advise stopping it if an NSAID is needed regularly. Monitor for signs of bleeding such as black stools, bruising or hematuria.
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.
