Ginkgo and Hydrocortisone: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Aug 8, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Hydrocortisone
Ginkgo
No brand names on record
How we grade severity & evidence
Severity levels
- Contraindicated: These should generally not be used together.
- Major: Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
- Moderate: Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.
- Minor: Usually limited clinical impact.
Evidence grades
- Established: Well documented — supported by controlled studies or strong clinical data.
- Probable: Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.
- Suspected: Some evidence suggests this interaction, but it is not well established.
- Possible: Limited or conflicting evidence; the interaction may occur.
- Theoretical: Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
Ratings come from the documented interaction literature and are reviewed by a pharmacist. They describe the documented risk of the combination, not what will necessarily happen to you — your dose, timing, and health picture all matter.
What happens
Altered (increased/reduced) hydrocortisone exposure and an increased risk of hydrocortisone-related adverse reactions
Interaction Deep Dive
Concomitant use of hydrocortisone and CYP3A4 inducers that also are CYP3A4 inhibitors may alter (increase/reduce) hydrocortisone exposure which may increase the risk of adverse reactions, including adrenal crisis. Hence, concomitant use of CYP3A4 inducers may require an increase or reduction in the hydrocortisone dose1.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Induction of CYP3A4-mediated metabolism of hydrocortisone; inhibition of CYP3A4-mediated metabolism of hydrocortisone
Literature reports
1 report — tap to read
Common questions
Can I take Ginkgo and Hydrocortisone together?
Altered (increased/reduced) hydrocortisone exposure and an increased risk of hydrocortisone-related adverse reactions Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Ginkgo and Hydrocortisone interaction?
It is rated moderate. Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.
How quickly could this interaction happen?
The documented onset is "unspecified". The timing of this interaction is not well characterized.
How strong is the evidence for this interaction?
The evidence is graded "theoretical". Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
From our Q&A
Real reader questions about these medications, each personally answered by our pharmacist:
Questions for your pharmacist
- Does my dose of Ginkgo or Hydrocortisone need adjusting while I take them together?
- What symptoms should prompt me to call you or my prescriber right away?
- Does the timing of my doses matter for this combination?
- Is there anything you'd monitor while I'm on both?
References (3)
- Product Information: KHINDIVI(R) oral solution, hydrocortisone oral solution. Eton Pharmaceuticals (per Manufacturer), Cranbury, NJ, 2025. DailyMed
- Edwards OM, Courtenay-Evans RJ, Galley JM, et al: Changes in cortisol metabolism following rifampicin therapy. Lancet 1974; 2:548-551. DOI
- Kyriazopoulou V, Parparousi O, & Vagenakis AG: Rifampicin-induced adrenal crisis in addisonian patients receiving corticosteroid replacement therapy. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1984; 59:1204-1206. PubMed
Keep reading about Hydrocortisone
Keep reading about Ginkgo
These medications also interact with supplements
Prescription drugs aren't the whole picture — herbal and dietary supplements can interact with them too. From the evidence-graded Natural Medicines database:
major · moderate · minor — check everything you take with our drug–supplement interaction checker.
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