Does Lisinopril Interact With Ginkgo Biloba?
In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses whether or not there is an interaction between lisinopril and ginkgo biloba.
Is it safe to take Ginkgo biloba while I'm taking lisinopril? I'm concerned about potential interactions and would like to know if combining these two could affect my blood pressure or cause any side effects.
Sep 21, 2024- There are no known direct interactions between lisinopril and ginkgo biloba.
- Ginkgo biloba may have mild blood pressure-lowering effects that could add to lisinopril's effects, potentially causing dizziness, lightheadedness, blurred vision, or fatigue.
- Clinical studies have shown minimal impact of ginkgo on blood pressure in most people.
Answer
Hello, and thank you for your question!
There are no known direct interactions between lisinopril and ginkgo biloba, as we detail on our website (Ginkgo - Lisinopril Interaction Details | HelloPharmacist).
However, it's worth noting that ginkgo biloba may have mild blood pressure-lowering effects due to its vasodilating properties. When combined with lisinopril, this could potentially enhance its blood pressure-lowering effect, leading to lower-than-expected blood pressure in some individuals, which could cause some negative effects such as dizziness and drowsiness.
Additional Details
Ginkgo biloba is thought to have wide-ranging effects, one of which is to enhance the production of nitric oxide (NO), a molecule that plays a key role in vasodilation.
Increased levels of nitric oxide cause the relaxation of smooth muscle cells in the walls of blood vessels. This relaxation leads to the widening of the vessels, improving blood flow and potentially lowering blood pressure.
As a result, combining ginkgo with antihypertensive medications like lisinopril could lead to additive effects. This may result in lower-than-intended blood pressure, which could cause symptoms such as:
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Fainting spells
- Blurred vision
- Fatigue
It's important to note that while vasodilation is known to lower blood pressure, several clinical studies evaluating ginkgo's effects on blood pressure have shown minimal impact.
For example, one study that assessed ginkgo supplementation in elderly men and women found no significant differences in blood pressure changes between the ginkgo biloba and placebo groups over a median follow-up of 6.1 years. Ginkgo biloba did not affect the rate of new hypertension or the use of antihypertensive medications, regardless of initial hypertension status (Effect of Ginkgo biloba on blood pressure and incidence of hypertension in elderly men and women - PubMed (nih.gov)).
Final Words
Overall, there doesn’t appear to be a direct interaction between lisinopril and ginkgo biloba.
However, based on ginkgo's effects on nitric oxide production, it could theoretically cause mild drops in blood pressure. Due to this, it’s important to monitor your blood pressure closely, especially if you are taking medication like lisinopril.
I hope you found this answer helpful. Please feel free to reach out again if you have any more questions.
Thanks!
References & sources
- The effect of 3-month ingestion of Ginkgo biloba extract on pancreatic beta-cell function in response to glucose loading in normal glucose tolerant individuals — https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10868316/
- Ginkgo biloba special extract EGb 761 in generalized anxiety disorder and adjustment disorder with anxious mood: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial — https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16808927/
- Effect of Ginkgo biloba on blood pressure and incidence of hypertension in elderly men and women — https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20168306/
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Lisinopril
- A medication that lowers blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels and reducing strain on the heart.
- Ginkgo biloba
- A plant supplement often used to support memory and circulation.
- Vasodilating
- The process of widening blood vessels to improve blood flow.
- Nitric oxide
- A molecule in the body that helps relax blood vessel walls and lower blood pressure.
- Vasodilation
- The widening of blood vessels that improves blood flow and can lower blood pressure.
- Antihypertensive
- A type of medication used to treat high blood pressure.
- Additive effects
- When two substances combine to produce a stronger effect than either would alone.
- Hypertension
- High blood pressure, a condition where blood pressure remains elevated.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Doctor of Pharmacy, board certified clinical pharmacist (BCPS), American Herbalist Guild, Medication Therapy Management certified
Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS, is a licensed pharmacist with more than 13 years of experience across retail pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, medication safety, pharmacy program development, and healthcare administration. He is the founder of HelloPharmacist.com, where he helps patients...
More answers from Brian →