Ginkgo

What is it?
Ginkgo is an herbal medicine used to treat memory loss and confusion (like Alzheimer's disease), heart disease, depression, dizziness, and ringing in the ears. It may also be used to treat premenstrual syndrome ("PMS"), Raynaud's disease, intermittent claudication (severe pain in calf muscles while walking), eye problems, and stress. Ginkgo may be used to treat impotence. This is when a man cannot get or keep a penis erection (e-REK-shun) to allow him to have sex.

Other names for ginkgo include: Fossil tree, Kew tree, Maiden hair tree, Ginkgo biloba, and Silver apricot.

Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist if you need more information about this medicine or if any information in this leaflet concerns you.

Before Using:
Tell your doctor if you

• are taking medicine or are allergic to any medicine (prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) or dietary supplement)
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine
• are breastfeeding
• have any other health problems, such as high blood pressure or heart or blood vessel disease

Dosage:
Talk with your caregiver about how much ginkgo you should take. The amount depends on the strength of the medicine and the reason you are taking ginkgo. If you are using this medicine without instructions from your caregiver, follow the directions on the medicine bottle. Do not take more medicine or take it more often than the directions tell you to.

To store this medicine:
Keep all medicine locked up and away from children. Store medicine away from heat and direct light. Do not store your medicine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down and not work the way it should work. Throw away medicine that is out of date or that you do not need. Never share your medicine with others.

Drug and Food Interactions:
Do not take ginkgo without talking to your doctor first if you are taking:

• Blood thinning medicine (examples: warfarin (Coumadin(R)), clopidogrel (Plavix(R)), aspirin, enoxaparin (Lovenox(R)), dalteparin (Fragmin(R)))
• Medicines used for pain or swelling (examples: ibuprofen (Advil(R), Motrin(R)), naproxen (Aleve(R), Naprosyn(R)), nabumetone (Relafen(R)))
• Medicine for depression (examples: sertraline (Zoloft(R)), paroxetine (Paxil(R)), fluoxetine (Prozac(R)), citalopram (Celexa(R)))
• Medicines for depression or Parkinson's disease (examples: phenelzine (Nardil(R)), selegiline (Eldepryl(R)))
• Medicine used for high blood pressure or chest pain (diltiazem (Cardizem(R)); nicardipine (Cardene(R)), nifedipine (Adalat(R), Procardia(R)))
• Medicine used for high blood pressure or swelling (examples: chlorothiazide (Diuril(R)); hydrochlorothiazide (Esidrix(R), Hydro-Par(R), Microzide(TM)))
• Medicine used for seizures or certain types of pain (examples: phenytoin (Dilantin(R)), carbamazepine (Tegretol(R)), gabapentin (Neurontin(R)), valproic acid (Depakote(R)), Depakene(R)))
• Salicylates (examples: aspirin, mesalamine (Asacol(R), Pentasa(R)), olsalazine (Dipentum(R)), salsalate (Disalcid(R)))
• Insulin
• Buspirone (BuSpar(R))
• Papaverine (Pavabid(R))
• Trazodone (Desyrel(R))
• St. John's Wort

Warnings:

• Before taking ginkgo, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Before having any surgery, tell your doctor that you take ginkgo. You may need to stop taking ginkgo for a while before having surgery to avoid bleeding problems.
• Seizures (uncontrollable shaking) and coma have been reported.
• Stevens-Johnson syndrome has been reported in one person who had taken ginkgo.

Side Effects:
Stop taking your medicine right away and talk to your doctor if you have any of the following side effects. Your medicine may be causing these symptoms which may mean you are allergic to it.

• Breathing problems or tightness in your throat or chest
• Chest pain
• Skin hives, rash, or itchy or swollen skin

Other Side Effects:
You may have the following side effects, but this medicine may also cause other side effects. Tell your doctor if you have side effects that you think are caused by this medicine.

• A feeling that your heart is pounding or racing

• Dizziness

• Nausea (upset stomach) or headaches
• Unusual bruising or bleeding

References:
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