Drug & supplement interaction

Ginkgo + Aspirin, Carisoprodol, Codeine Phosphate

Aspirin, Carisoprodol, Codeine Phosphate brand name: Soma Compound w/ Codeine.

Moderate Interaction
Medically reviewed by · Updated September 2026
The bottom line Moderate

Aspirin, Carisoprodol, Codeine Phosphate falls into 3 drug categories that Ginkgo can interact with; the most serious is rated moderate. Theoretically, taking ginkgo with drugs that lower the seizure threshold might increase the risk for convulsions.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodPossible
Interactions3
EvidenceD
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
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Interaction report

Ginkgo and Aspirin, Carisoprodol, Codeine Phosphate

These two interact in 3 distinct ways. Each one is explained separately below.

Why Are There 3 Interactions?

Ginkgo interacts with whole categories of medication. Aspirin, Carisoprodol, Codeine Phosphate falls into 3 of those categories, so it can interact with Ginkgo in 3 different ways. We’ve listed each one below — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them (Moderate).

Moderate

SEIZURE THRESHOLD LOWERING DRUGS

1 of 3

Why this applies to Aspirin, Carisoprodol, Codeine Phosphate

Aspirin, Carisoprodol, Codeine Phosphate falls under SEIZURE THRESHOLD LOWERING DRUGS — the group Ginkgo interacts with.

Theoretically, taking ginkgo with drugs that lower the seizure threshold might increase the risk for convulsions.
Ginkgo seeds contain ginkgotoxin. Large amounts of ginkgotoxin can cause neurotoxicity and seizure. Ginkgotoxin is present in much larger amounts in ginkgo seeds than leaves. Ginkgo leaf extract contains trace amounts of ginkgotoxin. The amount of ginkgotoxin in ginkgo leaf and leaf extract seems unlikely to cause toxicity. However, there are anecdotal reports of seizure occurring after use of ginkgo leaf both in patients without a history of seizure disorder and in those with previously well-controlled epilepsy.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

This combination pill (Soma Compound with Codeine) blends aspirin, the muscle relaxer carisoprodol, and codeine. Here's the wrinkle: carisoprodol breaks down in your body into a compound called meprobamate, and both carisoprodol and codeine can nudge your seizure threshold a little lower. Ginkgo seeds contain a substance called ginkgotoxin that, in large amounts, has been linked to seizures. The good news is that most ginkgo leaf supplements contain only trace amounts, so the real-world risk is low.

Still, there are a few anecdotal reports of seizures with ginkgo leaf, even in people without epilepsy. This is theoretical, not proven, but worth a quick mention to your pharmacist or doctor, especially since aspirin and ginkgo can both thin the blood too.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Gregory PJ. Seizure associated with Ginkgo biloba? Ann Intern Med 2001;134:344.
  2. Granger AS. Ginkgo biloba precipitating epileptic seizures. Age Ageing 2001;30:523-5. PubMed
  3. Miwa H, Iijima M, Tanaka S, Mizuno Y. Generalized convulsions after consuming a large amount of gingko nuts. Epilepsia 2001;42:280-1. DOI
  4. Arenz A, Kelin M, Flehe K, et al. Occurrence of neurotoxic 4'-O-methylpyridoxine in ginkgo biloba leaves, ginkgo medications and Japanese ginkgo food. Planta Med 1996;62:548-51.
  5. Kupiec T, Raj V. Fatal seizures due to potential herb-drug interactions with Ginkgo biloba. J Anal Toxicol 2005:755-8. PubMed
Moderate

CYTOCHROME P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) SUBSTRATES

2 of 3

Aspirin, Carisoprodol, Codeine Phosphate also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) SUBSTRATES.

Theoretically, ginkgo might decrease levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2C19.
Some clinical research shows that a specific ginkgo leaf extract (Remembrance, Herbs Product LTD) 140 mg twice daily can induce CYP2C19 enzymes and potentially decrease levels of drugs metabolized by these enzymes. However, other clinical research shows that taking ginkgo 120 mg twice daily for 12 days has no effect on levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2C19.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Probable Evidence B

Interaction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports..

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

This combo product mixes aspirin, the muscle relaxer carisoprodol, and the pain reliever codeine. The piece that connects to ginkgo is carisoprodol, which your body partly handles through an enzyme called CYP2C19. The concern on file is that ginkgo might speed that enzyme up, which could clear carisoprodol a little faster and make it work less well, so you might feel less muscle relaxation or pain relief.

Honestly, the evidence here is shaky. One study showed an effect, another showed none, so it may not matter much in real life. Carisoprodol also breaks down into meprobamate, which adds drowsiness, and codeine plus ginkgo's blood-thinning effect deserve a quick word too. Please check with your pharmacist or doctor before combining them.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Yin OQ, Tomlinson B, Waye MM, et al. Pharmacogenetics and herb-drug interactions: experience with Ginkgo biloba and omeprazole. Pharmacogenetics 2004;14:841-50. PubMed
  2. Lei, H. P., Wang, G., Wang, L. S., Ou-yang, D. S., Chen, H., Li, Q., Zhang, W., Tan, Z. R., Fan, L., He, Y. J., and Zhou, H. H. Lack of effect of Ginkgo biloba on voriconazole pharmacokinetics in Chinese volunteers identified as CYP2C19 poor and extensiv
Moderate

ANTICOAGULANT/ANTIPLATELET DRUGS

3 of 3

Aspirin, Carisoprodol, Codeine Phosphate also falls under ANTICOAGULANT/ANTIPLATELET DRUGS.

Ginkgo has been shown to increase the risk of bleeding in some people when taken with warfarin. Theoretically, ginkgo might increase the risk of bleeding if used with other anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Several pharmacodynamic studies suggest that ginkgo inhibits platelet aggregation. It is thought that the ginkgo constituent, ginkgolide B, displaces platelet-activating factor (PAF) from its binding sites, decreasing blood coagulation. Several case reports have documented serious bleeding events in patients taking ginkgo. However, population and clinical studies have produced mixed results. Some evidence shows that short-term use of ginkgo leaf does not significantly reduce platelet aggregation and blood clotting. A study in healthy males who took a specific ginkgo leaf extract (EGb 761) 160 mg twice daily for 7 days found no change in prothrombin time. An analysis of a large medical record database suggests that ginkgo increases the risk of a bleeding adverse event by 38% when taken concurrently with warfarin. It has been suggested that ginkgo has to be taken for at least 2-3 weeks to have a significant effect on platelet aggregation. However, a meta-analysis of 18 studies using standardized ginkgo extracts, 80-480 mg daily for up to 32 weeks, did not find a significant effect on platelet aggregation, fibrinogen concentration, or PT/aPTT. In addition, a single dose of ginkgo plus clopidogrel or ticlopidine does not seem to significantly increase bleeding time or platelet aggregation. Also, taking ginkgo leaf extract daily for 8 days in conjunction with rivaroxaban does not affect anti-factor Xa activity; however, this study did not evaluate bleeding time.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Possible Evidence A

Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

The piece of this combination pill I want to focus on is the aspirin. Aspirin already makes platelets less sticky, which is exactly how it prevents clots, but it also raises bleeding risk. Ginkgo may nudge platelets in the same direction, so stacking the two could, in theory, add up to more bruising, nosebleeds, bleeding gums, or a cut that takes longer to stop.

That said, the human studies here are genuinely mixed. Many people taking standardized ginkgo see no real change in their clotting numbers. So this is more of a 'be aware and watch' situation than a red alert. The codeine and carisoprodol parts aren't the concern with ginkgo. Before adding ginkgo, just run it by your pharmacist or doctor, especially if you bleed or bruise easily.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Benjamin J, Muir T, Briggs K, Pentland B. A case of cerebral haemorrhage-can Ginkgo biloba be implicated? Postgrad Med J 2001;77:112-3.
  2. Rowin J, Lewis SL. Spontaneous bilateral subdural hemotomas with chronic Ginkgo biloba ingestion. Neurology 1996;46:1775-6.
  3. Rosenblatt M, Mindel T. Spontaneous hyphema associated with ingestion of Ginkgo biloba extract. N Engl J Med 1997;336:1108.
  4. Heck AM, DeWitt BA, Lukes AL. Potential interactions between alternative therapies and warfarin. Am J Health Syst Pharm 2000;57:1221-7. DOI
  5. Miller LG, Freeman B. Possible subdural hematoma associated with Ginkgo biloba. J Herb Pharmacother 2002;2:57-63.
  6. Kudolo GB, Dorsey S, Blodgett J. Effect of the ingestion of Ginkgo biloba extract on platelet aggregation and urinary prostanoid excretion in healthy and Type 2 diabetic subjects. Thromb Res 2002;108:151-60.. PubMed
  7. Kohler S, Funk P, Kieser M. Influence of a 7-day treatment with Ginkgo biloba special extract EGb 761 on bleeding time and coagulation: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study in healthy volunteers. Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis 2004;15:303–9. PubMed
  8. Destro MW, Speranzini MB, Cavalheiro Filho C, et al. Bilateral haematoma after rhytidoplasty and blepharoplasty following chronic use of Ginkgo biloba. Br J Plast Surg 2005;58:100-1. PubMed
  9. Bent S, Goldberg H, Padula A, Avins AL. Spontaneous bleeding associated with Ginkgo biloba: a case report and systematic review of the literature. J Gen Intern Med 2005;20;657-61. DOI
  10. Meisel C, Johne A, Roots I. Fatal intracerebral mass bleeding associated with Ginkgo biloba and ibuprofen. Atherosclerosis 2003;167:367. PubMed
  11. Bebbington A, Kulkarni R, Roberts P. Ginkgo biloba: Persistent bleeding after total hip arthroplasty caused by herbal self-medication. J Arthroplasty 2005;20:125-6. .
  12. Vale S. Subarachnoid haemorrhage associated with Ginkgo biloba. Lancet 1998;352:36. PubMed
  13. Aruna D, Naidu MU. Pharmacodynamic interaction studies of Ginkgo biloba with cilostazol and clopidogrel in healthy human subjects. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2007;63:333-8.
  14. Kim BH, Kim KP, Lim KS, et al. Influence of Ginkgo biloba extract on the pharmacodynamic effects and pharmacokinetic properties of ticlopidine: An open-label, randomized, two-period, two-treatment, two-sequence, single-dose crossover study in healthy Kor
  15. Kellermann AJ, Kloft C. Is there a risk of bleeding associated with standardized ginkgo biloba extract therapy? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Pharmacotherapy 2011;31:490-502.
  16. Bal Dit, Sollier C., Caplain, H., and Drouet, L. No alteration in platelet function or coagulation induced by EGb761 in a controlled study. Clin Lab Haematol. 2003;25(4):251-253. PubMed
  17. Kim, T. E., Kim, B. H., Kim, J., Kim, K. P., Yi, S., Shin, H. S., Lee, Y. O., Lee, K. H., Shin, S. G., Jang, I. J., and Yu, K. S. Comparison of the pharmacokinetics of ticlopidine between administration of a combined fixed-dose tablet formulation of ticl
  18. Pedroso, J. L., Henriques Aquino, C. C., Escorcio Bezerra, M. L., Baiense, R. F., Suarez, M. M., Dutra, L. A., Braga-Neto, P., and Povoas Barsottini, O. G. Ginkgo biloba and cerebral bleeding: a case report and critical review. Neurologist. 2011;17(2):89 PubMed
  19. Stoddard GJ, Archer M, Shane-McWhorter L, Bray BE, Redd DF, Proulx J, Zeng-Treitler Q. Ginkgo and Warfarin Interaction in a Large Veterans Administration Population. AMIA Annu Symp Proc. 2015 Nov 5;2015:1174-83.
  20. Hoerr R, Zimmermann A, Seitz F, Dienel A. Single and repeated doses of EGb 761® do not affect pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics of rivaroxaban in healthy subjects. Front Pharmacol. 2022 Apr 20;13:868843. PubMed

What These Ratings Mean

Every interaction above is graded three ways — here’s the key to each label.

Severity how clinically significant the interaction is
Major

Clinically significant. Avoid the combination, or use only under close professional supervision.

Moderate

Usually worth avoiding or managing — may need monitoring, a dose change, or timing apart.

Minor

Generally not serious. Be aware of it and mention it to your pharmacist.

Likelihood how strong the evidence is that the interaction actually happens in people
  • LikelyWell-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction.
  • ProbableInteraction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
  • PossibleInteraction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.
  • UnlikelyInteraction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.
Evidence the quality of the studies behind the rating (graded A–D)
  • AHigh-quality meta-analysis (quantitative systematic review).
  • BCase-control study.
  • CConsensus.
  • DAnecdotal evidence.

These ratings are for information only. Never start, stop, or otherwise change your therapy before speaking with your provider.

Keep it in perspective

Ginkgo Also Interacts With Other Medications

Ginkgo has 1 major, 1,264 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Aspirin, Carisoprodol, Codeine Phosphate one above is among them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Major 1 Moderate 1,264 No known interaction 1,565 (incl. Aspirin, Carisoprodol, Codeine Phosphate)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Ginkgo

Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Ginkgo. Pick one to open its full report.

From our Q&A

Questions About Ginkgo or Aspirin, Carisoprodol, Codeine Phosphate

These are real questions from readers, answered by the pharmacists at HelloPharmacist — written by a person, not generated from a database. Each one covers Ginkgo or Aspirin, Carisoprodol, Codeine Phosphate, not necessarily both, but if one is close to what you were about to ask it will usually go further than a database entry can:

Not quite your question? Ask our pharmacists directly — it is free, there is no account required, and answers usually come back within 24 hours.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Aspirin, Carisoprodol, Codeine Phosphate

This page covers Ginkgo only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Aspirin, Carisoprodol, Codeine Phosphate page lists 339 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: 1,4-butanediol (major), Activated Charcoal (major), Asarabacca (major), Beer (major) and Danshen (major).

By severity: 11 major · 292 moderate · 36 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Aspirin, Carisoprodol, Codeine Phosphate page

“Soma Compound with Codeine packs aspirin, carisoprodol, and codeine into one tablet, and I read its list of 339 interacting supplement ingredients as a genuine warning, not fine print. Most, 202 of them, can add to aspirin's blood-thinning effect and raise bleeding risk.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Aspirin, Carisoprodol, Codeine Phosphate interaction page

One more smart check

Taking Ginkgo as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions

We hold 4,399 real supplement products containing Ginkgo, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Ginkgo. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Aspirin, Carisoprodol, Codeine Phosphate too, on top of Ginkgo — and those would not show on this page. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:

How much people look this up

Where Ginkgo and Aspirin, Carisoprodol, Codeine Phosphate Sit Against Everything Else

Out of every supplement and medication people look up on HelloPharmacist, here is where these two land this week — and which way each has been moving.

Supplement Ginkgo
Top 5%

#60 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Aspirin, Carisoprodol, Codeine Phosphate
Top 25%

#617 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today

Position among everything looked up on this site, not a measure of how commonly either one is used or how important it is. A supplement can climb this list because of a news story. It counts every request to the page, automated ones included, and nothing here identifies anyone.

Supplement

About Ginkgo

What is Ginkgo?

Ginkgo
  • Memory and cognitive support
  • Age-related mental decline
  • Circulation problems
  • Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
  • Dizziness or vertigo

Ginkgo is one of the world's most popular herbal supplements, mostly taken to support memory and circulation. The evidence for these uses is mixed and generally weak, and it is not proven to prevent memory loss or dementia. It is usually well tolerated in healthy adults, but it can thin the blood, so talk to your pharmacist or doctor before using it.

Read the full Ginkgo monograph & all interactions
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Ginkgo

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Ginkgo — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.

1Major
1,264Moderate
0Minor
1,564No known interaction
1 Major 1,264 Moderate 1,564 No interaction
Major

1 interaction

Moderate

1,264 interactions

Showing 60 of 1,264 moderate interactions — see all 1,264 on the Ginkgo page.

No interaction 1,564 drugs checked — show the list

We also checked Ginkgo against these medications and found no known interaction in our sources. Open any page to confirm.

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 1,564 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Ginkgo list.

See the full Ginkgo interactions page
See every supplement checked against Aspirin, Carisoprodol, Codeine Phosphate, ranked by severity
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Interaction details are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database. The medication overview comes from MedlinePlus.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

Keep exploring
Ginkgo monograph › Uses, safety, and every drug interaction in one place Aspirin, Carisoprodol, Codeine Phosphate supplement interactions › Every supplement checked against Aspirin, Carisoprodol, Codeine Phosphate, ranked by severity Supplement interaction checker › Check any supplement or product against your medications Browse medications A–Z › Every drug we've checked against herbs & supplements Ask a pharmacist › Free, personal answer from our licensed team
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Ginkgo and Aspirin, Carisoprodol, Codeine Phosphate Together: Common Questions

Can you take Ginkgo with Aspirin, Carisoprodol, Codeine Phosphate?
There is a moderate interaction, so it may be acceptable with monitoring or timing changes — but check with your pharmacist first. Read the full details on this page and confirm with your pharmacist before combining them.
Why are there 3 interactions listed for Ginkgo and Aspirin, Carisoprodol, Codeine Phosphate?
Aspirin, Carisoprodol, Codeine Phosphate belongs to more than one drug category, and Ginkgo interacts with each of those categories a little differently. We list every one so nothing is missed — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them.
How serious is the Ginkgo and Aspirin, Carisoprodol, Codeine Phosphate interaction?
We rate it Moderate. This combination may require monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one. Consult your pharmacist before using them together.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Still Have a Question About Aspirin, Carisoprodol, Codeine Phosphate and Ginkgo?

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This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.