Get Informed: Ginkgo Biloba
Active Ingredient(s)
Ginkgo Biloba
What does it do?
This product is an herbal supplement thought to enhance memory and concentration. It may work by enhancing blood flow to vital organs of the body.
- Last Text Update:
- 2010-Mar-20 8:29 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Mar-20 9:02 PM
Other Names
- Ginkgo Biloba
- Ginkgo
- Ginko Biloba
- Gingkomin
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- N/A
- Black Box Warning:
- No
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 21 Mar 2010
- Est US Patients*
- 709,100
- Generic Available
- Yes
- OTC Available
- Yes
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Ginkgo Biloba or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Recent alerts for Ginkgo Biloba
There have been no iGuard.org alerts regarding Ginkgo Biloba during the past year.
Ginkgo Biloba Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
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What is Ginkgo Biloba used for?
iGuard is currently tracking more than 4,700 patients that use Ginkgo Biloba (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Memory Problems/Dementia | 90% | 
|
| Tinnitus | 15% |
|
| Eye Health | 5% | 
|
| Balance Problems | 5% | 
|
How well does Ginkgo Biloba work?
iGuard regularly polls our more than 4,700 users taking Ginkgo Biloba (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 80%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Ginkgo Biloba outweigh the bad things.
- 5%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Ginkgo Biloba.
Common Side Effects of Ginkgo Biloba
iGuard regularly polls our more than 4,700 users taking Ginkgo Biloba (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
5% of patients experience side-effects on Ginkgo Biloba
< 1% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Ginkgo Biloba
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Nose Bleeds
-
= 10%
Global Patient Feedback for Ginkgo Biloba ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
As one of the older women at work, I decided I needed to do something to "keep up" with the younger ones. I always had a great memory and outstanding organizational skills but odd things were happening and it seemed I would lose focus. I took Ginko and worked several more years back in the game.
I went off Ginko when I needed surgery (Dr was afraid it might interact/cause problem(s) with meds administered during or after surgery). After about 4-5 years I've started taking Ginko again. I had noticed focus problems as well as short term memory problems. It was difficult to keep up with conversation in a group. I could hear people speaking but couldn't seem to get my thoughts or answers out fast enough to be included in the conversation. Using the telephone was becomong a problem as well; any noise was such a distraction that I lost the jist of the phone conversation.
I can't believe the difference in just a few weeks! I'm becoming my old organized self; I can focus and enjoy conversation again. I still have some difficulty keeping up with lots of different chatter, but I feel so much better ; more alert too. I can talk on the phone with the TV or radio on again.
Someone mentioned it helped tinnitis...mine has all but disappeared as well. If it should reappear occasionally, it's hardly noticeable.
60 yr old female
41 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-02-05 04:47:04
Question/Comment:
I have been taking Ginko Biloba twice daily for about 6 months for short term memory problems and I can definitely tell a difference. I can now, more often than not, recall names and instances much faster than I have been able to for quite a few years. I would definitely recommend taking it to anyone. I have had no side effects. It does take awhile to start seeing results, so be patient.
55 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-02-04 08:46:20
Question/Comment:
My tinnitus is not gone but has decreased to the point that it's no longer noticable.
77 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2008-11-12 10:32:00
Question/Comment:
I'm wondering if the "night grinding"/clenching my teeth could be a side effect of gingko.
53 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2008-07-01 12:09:01
Answer/Reply:
I've noticed that, as of lately, I have started clenching my teeth also; I thought it might have been the new CPAP machine I have been using.
59 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-01-19 01:11:48
Answer/Reply:
Doubt it, but should be mentioned to your Dr. My husband clenches and grinds his teeth at night. His is tension; business, older children problems.
60 yr old female
41 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-02-05 04:50:23
Question/Comment:
When I take it regularly, I notice more alertness and better memory. I don't know if it's subliminal or what, but it works for me.
51 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2008-06-29 11:11:19
You may post comments for the benefit of other patients or post questions other patients might be able to answer. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Only your age and gender will be published with your comment, although your other user details will be securely recorded for verification purposes.
Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
23
Patient Comments about
Ginkgo Biloba