Ginkgo biloba does not appear to affect pharmacokinetics orpharmacodynamics of donepezil
Clinical evidence,mechanism, importance and management
In a pharmacokinetic study 14 elderly patients with Alzheimer’s disease were given donepezil 5mg daily for at least 20 weeks,after which Ginkgo biloba extract 90mg daily was also given for a further 30 days. Concurrent use did not affect pharmacokinetics or cholinesterase activity of donepezil, and cognitive function appeared to be unchanged (See reference number 1). Therefore, over course of 30 days, concurrent use appears neither beneficial nor detrimental.
1. Yasui-Furukori N,Furukori H, Kaneda A, Kaneko S, Tateishi T. The effects of Ginkgo biloba extracts on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of donepezil. J Clin Pharmacol (2004) 44, 538–42.