Ingredient profile
Ginkgo Biloba in MemoPryl: Evidence and Bleeding Risk
Ginkgo biloba leaf is a tree extract and one of six names tied to MemoPryl on a sibling pack, unconfirmed for your bottle, with no amount printed. A large trial found no drop in dementia rates, and ginkgo may raise bleeding risk, so ask your doctor or pharmacist before you start.
By the MemoPryl label deskUpdated
The basics01
What is ginkgo biloba in MemoPryl?
Ginkgo biloba is an extract made from the leaf of the ginkgo tree. It is the second of six ingredient names tied to MemoPryl.
The names come from a sibling MemoPryl pack. They are unconfirmed for the bottle you will receive, and the amounts are not printed on any image we have. No Supplement Facts panel was supplied.
The bottle images disagree on size, with 30 capsules on one and 60 on the other. Your bottle is the source of truth, so look for ginkgo on its panel before you plan anything.
| Name as the seller lists it | Ginkgo biloba Leaf |
|---|---|
| What it is | Leaf extract from the ginkgo tree |
| On the bottle? | Unconfirmed: listed in the seller's notes for a sibling pack; we were given no Supplement Facts panel |
| Amount per capsule | Not printed (no Supplement Facts panel supplied) |
| Amount used in research | The large GEM trial used 120 mg twice a day (240 mg) in 3,069 adults aged 75 or older |
| Strength of evidence | In the GEM trial, dementia and Alzheimer's rates were no lower than on placebo; NCCIH calls benefit for healthy people uncertain |
| Marketed use | Sold for memory and focus |
| Main caution | Bleeding risk may rise, most of all with warfarin, aspirin or other blood thinners; seizures have been reported in people at risk. |
Evidence02
Does ginkgo help memory?
Not in the best test we have. NCCIH says ginkgo has not been shown to prevent dementia, and whether it helps healthy people think better is uncertain (NCCIH, Ginkgo).
The GEM trial gave 3,069 adults aged 75 or older either 120 mg of ginkgo extract twice a day or a placebo, for a median of 6.1 years (DeKosky 2008, GEM trial, JAMA). Dementia rates did not fall. The authors called the dose not effective.
Older reviews are mixed. A 2009 Cochrane review saw a gain at 22 to 26 weeks, but the result leaned on two studies. Drop them and the effect nearly vanished (Cochrane 2009, ginkgo and dementia). Memorial Sloan Kettering reaches the same view as the large trials (MSK, Ginkgo).
A result for one ginkgo extract does not carry over to a capsule with several ingredients.
Amounts03
How much ginkgo is in MemoPryl?
No one can say, because no image we have prints an amount, a serving size or a count of capsules a day.
The bars show what researchers used, so you can see the gap. They are not a dose. The dashed bar is empty because the bottle images are silent.
The GEM figure of 240 mg a day is a study amount for older adults. Follow the directions on your own bottle, and ask a pharmacist when they are unclear.
Bleeding risk04
Is ginkgo safe with blood thinners?
Ask first. Ginkgo may raise bleeding risk, especially for people on warfarin or other blood thinners (NCCIH, Ginkgo).
FDA says ginkgo, warfarin, aspirin and vitamin E can each thin the blood, and taking them together may raise the chance of internal bleeding or stroke (FDA, Mixing Meds and Supplements). Memorial Sloan Kettering lists case reports of spontaneous bleeding, and seizures in people at risk (MSK, Ginkgo).
Take prescribed medicine exactly as directed, and check with your doctor or pharmacist before you begin. Never stop a blood thinner on your own.
Clinicians often ask people to stop supplements two to three weeks ahead (FDA, Mixing Meds and Supplements). Tell the surgical team about ginkgo early.
| If you | Ask about |
|---|---|
| Take warfarin or another blood thinner | Bleeding or bruising risk |
| Take aspirin every day | Added blood-thinning effect |
| Have surgery planned | When to stop, usually weeks ahead |
| Have had seizures | Seizure risk reported in people prone to them |
MemoPryl: capsules in 2, 3 or 6 bottlesRead the bottle · check medicines first · 60-day window (confirm)
See packsSide effects05
What side effects can ginkgo cause?
The common ones are mild: headache, nausea, upset stomach, dizziness and allergic skin reactions (NCCIH, Supplements and Cognition).
Fresh ginkgo seeds are toxic, which is one reason to buy a labeled extract and not a raw product (NCCIH, Ginkgo). Stop and call your doctor if you notice unusual bruising, nosebleeds or any reaction. A problem can also be reported to FDA (FDA, Report a Supplement Problem).
For the wider picture, see the MemoPryl side effects guide.
Next06
What should I read after ginkgo?
Read St. John's wort next. It is also named on the sibling pack, and it weakens many medicines.
The medicine interaction guide pulls the cautions into one place. Then check each name against your own bottle.
FAQ07
Ginkgo biloba questions people ask
Is ginkgo in MemoPryl?
Ginkgo biloba leaf is named on a sibling MemoPryl pack, but that is unconfirmed for your bottle. No Supplement Facts panel was supplied and no amount is printed on any image we have. Check the panel on the bottle that arrives.
Can I take ginkgo with warfarin or aspirin?
Ask your doctor or pharmacist first. FDA says ginkgo, warfarin and aspirin can each thin the blood, and together they may raise bleeding or stroke risk. Keep taking prescribed medicine and do not stop it on your own.
Should I stop ginkgo before surgery?
Tell your surgeon and follow their advice. People are often asked to stop supplements two to three weeks before a procedure. Ginkgo is one they ask about because of bleeding risk.
What did the GEM ginkgo trial find?
The GEM trial followed 3,069 adults aged 75 or older for about six years. Those given 120 mg of ginkgo twice a day did not develop less dementia or Alzheimer's disease than those on placebo.
What are the side effects of ginkgo?
The usual ones are headache, nausea, stomach upset, dizziness and skin reactions. Bleeding and seizures have been reported in some people. Stop and call your doctor about any unusual bruising or reaction.
Does ginkgo improve memory in healthy adults?
That is uncertain. NCCIH says whether ginkgo improves thinking in healthy people is unclear, and a large trial found no lower dementia rate. If memory worries you, see a doctor before trying a supplement.
Who wrote this08
Written and reviewed by
Each page draws on the bottle images, the seller's product notes and linked NIH, FDA, FTC and peer-reviewed sources.
Last updated . See our editorial standards and how we check reviews. This website is run by MemoPryl USA retail, not by the manufacturer or the distributor of the bottle. We are paid a commission when you buy through our order links.
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