Supplement safety
Ginkgo and Blood Thinners: Why Your Pharmacist Should Know
Ginkgo may increase bleeding risk in people taking warfarin or other anticoagulants, according to the NIH. Zeaxan lists ginkgo in its 600 mg blend without saying how much. If you take a blood thinner, ask your doctor or pharmacist before you start Zeaxan or any product that contains ginkgo.
Written by the Zeaxan editorial teamUpdated · 7 min read
The short answer
Is ginkgo safe to take with blood thinners?
It may not be. The NIH's complementary health center says ginkgo may increase bleeding risk in people taking anticoagulants such as warfarin (NCCIH, ginkgo).
Your prescriber chose your blood thinner and its dose for you. Adding an herb that may push bleeding risk higher is a change your prescriber should know about.
This does not mean every person on a blood thinner will have a problem. It means the decision belongs to you and your doctor or pharmacist, not to a supplement label.
The label
How much ginkgo is in Zeaxan?
Nobody outside the maker knows. "Gingko Biloba Powder" (the label's spelling) is 8th of 11 ingredients in a 600 mg blend, and blends only have to print their total weight (21 CFR 101.36).
| Label name | Gingko Biloba Powder |
|---|---|
| What it is | Ginkgo biloba powder (plant part not stated) |
| Form | Herbal powder |
| Place in the blend | 8 of 11 (heaviest first) |
| Amount per 2 capsules | Not published (listed 8th) |
| Amount used in research | No eye trials in our sources; not shown to prevent dementia |
| Strength of evidence | Not shown for eyes |
| Why it is in the formula | An herb sold for circulation and memory |
| Main caution | May raise bleeding risk with warfarin and other blood thinners; dizziness, stomach upset, headache. |
The label also does not say which part of the plant is used. Because the amount is unknown, your pharmacist cannot weigh it against your dose. That is one more reason to ask before you start. See our full ginkgo profile.
Check your list
Which medicines need a check before you take Zeaxan?
Blood thinners are the main one for ginkgo. Other ingredients in the blend raise their own questions.
| If you take or have | Ingredient to ask about | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Warfarin and other blood thinners (anticoagulants) | Ginkgo | May increase bleeding risk. (NCCIH, ginkgo) |
| Thyroid medicine | Bacopa | MSD Manual says people taking thyroid medicine should not use bacopa. (MSD Manual, bacopa) |
| Prescription drugs cleared by the liver | Bacopa | Bacopa inhibits several liver enzymes that process drugs. Ask your pharmacist. (StatPearls, bacopa) |
| Liver disease, or medicines that can strain the liver | Green tea extract; cinnamon | Green tea extract pills are a rare, well-established cause of liver injury; cassia cinnamon has coumarin. (LiverTox, green tea) (NCCIH, cinnamon) |
| A past stroke, or stroke risk factors | AGP choline (alpha-GPC) | A large observational study linked alpha-GPC to higher stroke risk. Not proof, but worth asking about. (Lee et al., 2021) |
| Metformin | Vitamin B12 | Metformin can lower B12. The blend's B12 amount is not published, so it cannot replace a blood test. (NIH ODS, B12) |
| Other eye vitamins, B-complex or multivitamins | Lutein, zeaxanthin, B6 | Count totals. High-dose B6 for a year or longer can damage nerves; the upper limit is 100 mg a day. (NIH ODS, B6) |
Bring this table, or the bottle itself, to your pharmacist. The full list of cautions is on our side effects page.
Beyond bleeding
What are the common side effects of ginkgo?
The most common side effects of ginkgo are dizziness, stomach upset and headache (NCCIH, ginkgo). They are listed by the NIH alongside the bleeding risk.
- Dizziness
- Upset stomach
- Headache
Ginkgo is often sold for memory, but it has not been shown to prevent or slow dementia (NCCIH, ginkgo). Our sources contain no eye trials of ginkgo, so its place in an eye blend is not backed by research we could find.
Try Zeaxan for 90 days2 capsules a day · 3 bottles per pack · today's price on the listing
See today's priceA common belief
Does natural mean safe with medicines?
No. "Natural" does not always mean safe, and supplements can interact with medicines (NCCIH, 2019). An herb can be plant-based and still change how a prescription works.
At the pharmacy
What should you tell your doctor or pharmacist?
Tell them about every supplement you take, not only prescriptions (NCCIH, 2019). A short, complete list makes their check quick.
Name the blood thinner
Give the drug name and dose from your prescription label.
Show the supplement label
Point out ginkgo, and that the amount is not printed.
List the rest
Include vitamins, herbs, teas in pill form and other eye products.
Ask about surgery and dental work
Tell the surgeon or dentist about every supplement too.
Quick check
Is Zeaxan a fit if you take prescription medicine?
Answer six questions. A blood thinner, thyroid medicine or liver concern means talk to your doctor first.
A checklist, not medical advice. The label adds that anyone with a known medical condition should consult a physician first. Read who Zeaxan is for.
FAQ
Ginkgo and blood thinner questions
Can you take ginkgo biloba with warfarin?
Only after you ask your doctor. Ginkgo may increase bleeding risk in people taking anticoagulants such as warfarin, according to the NIH (NCCIH, ginkgo). Your prescriber or pharmacist can judge whether the herb is worth that risk for you, and whether any product containing it fits with your dose.
Besides bleeding, what side effects can ginkgo cause?
Dizziness, stomach upset and headache are the common ones, according to the NIH (NCCIH, ginkgo). Bleeding risk with blood thinners is a separate question to raise with your pharmacist. If you notice a reaction after starting a product with ginkgo, stop taking it and tell your doctor.
Does ginkgo help memory or dementia?
It has not been shown to prevent or slow dementia, according to the NIH (NCCIH, ginkgo). Ginkgo is widely sold for memory and circulation, but the research does not back those uses for dementia. Our sources also include no eye trials of ginkgo.
Why does the Zeaxan label say Gingko instead of Ginkgo?
It is a spelling on the label, and it refers to the same herb, ginkgo biloba. The ingredient appears as "Gingko Biloba Powder", 8th of 11 in the 600 mg blend. The label does not print the amount or say which part of the plant is used.
Does the Zeaxan label warn about blood thinners?
Not by name. The caution panel says pregnant or nursing women, people under 18 and anyone with a known medical condition should consult a physician first. It does not mention warfarin or anticoagulants, so ask your pharmacist about the ginkgo in the blend (NCCIH, ginkgo).
Should I stop Zeaxan before surgery?
Ask your surgeon, and tell them about every supplement you take (NCCIH, 2019). Zeaxan contains ginkgo, which may raise bleeding risk with blood thinners (NCCIH, ginkgo). Your surgical team will tell you what to stop and when, so do not guess on your own.
How do I tell my pharmacist about my supplements?
Bring the bottles, or a photo of each Supplement Facts panel, along with your prescription list. Tell them about every vitamin and herb you take (NCCIH, 2019). For a blend like Zeaxan, point out that single amounts, including the ginkgo, are not printed.
Who wrote this
Written and reviewed by
Plain-language pages built from the bottle label and linked medical sources.
Last updated . Read our editorial standards and how we check reviews. This website is run by an authorized U.S. retailer, not by the manufacturer. We are paid a commission when you buy through our order links.
Keep reading
More about Zeaxan
Ginkgo
Ginkgo in Zeaxan: why blood-thinner users should ask first, its common side effects, and what research does not show.
Read more
Side effects
Every ingredient's known side effects, the medicines to check, and what to do if Zeaxan does not agree with you.
Read more
Who it's for
Who Zeaxan suits, who should talk to a doctor first, and a six-question check you can take now.
Read moreUSA authorized Zeaxan retailer
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