Seizure Associated with <i>Ginkgo biloba</i>?
Authors: Philip J. Gregory
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2001)

Letters20 February 2001Seizure Associated with Ginkgo biloba?Philip J. Gregory, PharmDPhilip J. Gregory, PharmD Pharmacist's Letter/Prescriber's Letter; Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database (Gregory)Author, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-134-4-200102200-00026 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail TO THE EDITOR:Anecdotal reports of seizure in association with Ginkgo bilobahave recently come to light. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Special Nutritionals Adverse Event Monitoring System (SN/AEMS) describes seven reports of seizure associated with ginkgo. Four reports were associated with multi-ingredient products, and three were associated with single-ingredient ginkgo preparations, each from different manufacturers (1).Other anecdotal reports come from Internet discussion boards and electronic mailing lists. For example, on the Massachusetts General Hospital Neurology Web Forum, a patient reported having temporal lobe seizures after taking ginkgo. On the Pharmacist's Letter"Who Knows the Answer" discussion board, a pharmacist ...References1. Special Nutritionals Adverse Event Monitoring System. Washington, DC: U.S. Food and Drug Administration; 1999. Available at: vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/aems.html. Accessed on 30 May 2000. Google Scholar2. Jellin JM, Gregory P, Batz F, Hitchens K. Pharmacist's Letter/Prescriber's Letter. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. Stockton, CA: Therapeutic Research Faculty; 2000. Google Scholar3. Itel TM, Eralp E, Tsambis E, Itil KZ, Stein U. Central nervous system effects of Ginkgo biloba, a plant extract. Am J Ther. 1996;3:63-73. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. Lebert F, Hasenbroekx C, Pasquier F, Petit H. Convulsive effects of tacrine [Letter]. Lancet. 1996;347:1339-40. [PMID: 0008622541] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Pharmacist's Letter/Prescriber's Letter; Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database (Gregory) PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited ByReview of Ginkgo biloba -induced toxicity, from experimental studies to human case reportsQuantification of a Botanical Negative Marker without an Identical Standard: Ginkgotoxin in Ginkgo bilobaPotential herb–drug interactions for commonly used herbsGinkgo biloba and GinkgotoxinReferencesBotanicals and Nutrition in the Treatment of EpilepsyThe Effect of Ginkgo Biloba (EGb 761) on Epileptic Activity in RabbitsHerbal medicine and epilepsy: Proconvulsive effects and interactions with antiepileptic drugsAdvising Patients Who Use Dietary SupplementsThe human pyridoxal kinase, a plausible target for ginkgotoxin from Ginkgo bilobaHarmless Herbs? Think Again: Merits of a Complete Medication HistoryGinkgo biloba Use in Nursing Home Elderly with Epilepsy or Seizure DisorderMETHODOLOGYIntegrating Complementary Medicine Into Cardiovascular MedicineHerbal Remedies in GastroenterologyHerbal Product Contamination and ToxicityClinical Drug Interactions with Medicinal HerbsClinical Use and Molecular Mechanisms of Action of Extract of Ginkgo biloba Leaves in Cardiovascular DiseasesComparison of Natural Product Use Between Primary Care and Nephrology PatientsHerbal RemediesTreatment of memory disorders in epilepsyImplications of Self-administered St. John's Wort for Depression Symptom ManagementCreatine and Ginkgo Biloba Use in Sports and Health: A Knowledge Utilization ApproachHerbal Medicines and Epilepsy: The Potential for Benefit and Adverse EffectsBotanicals in Cardiovascular Health 20 February 2001Volume 134, Issue 4Page: 344KeywordsDrugsEpileptic seizuresFood and Drug AdministrationHealth careInternetNeurologyNutritionPharmacistsTeaTemporal lobe ePublished: 20 February 2001 Issue Published: 20 February 2001 CopyrightCopyright © 2001 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF DownloadLoading ...