Q10 and Ginkgo biloba may be taken together with blood thinners

Claus Hancke

May 5, 2003

Q10 and Ginkgo biloba may be taken together with blood thinning medication. A Danish study shows that it is non-dangerous to take the two supplements together with the blood diluting substance Warfarin.

An article in the danish medical journal, Ugeskrift for læger, rejects the suspicion that the two supplements may either weaken or enhance the effect of Warfarin (Marevan), which is typically used in the prevention and treatment of blood clots, eg in the heart or brain.

The study included 24 patients who were on long-term treatment with Warfarin, and no clinically significant difference was found between those who received placebo and those who received Warfarin.

General practitioner Claus Hancke from Lyngby is pleased that the misconception that there were problems with mixing these drugs has now been dispelled. “It is of great importance that patients with heart failure, who often receive Marevan as a blood thinner, can now once again improve the heart’s pumping ability with Q10,” says Claus Hancke, chairman of the Vitality Council.

He also emphasizes the importance of all patients taking cholesterol-lowering medication, the so-called statins, that they also take Q10 to prevent serious long-term side effects of the cholesterol-lowering medication.

There is a great need for research into the combination of prescription medications and dietary supplements, which is why the new study has great value for both doctors and patients.

A good five percent of the Danish population regularly takes Q10, which is a vitamin-like preparation containing coenzyme Q10, creating energy in the cells. Many do so because they have heart problems, and therefore some of the patients will also be taking Warfarin.

Ginkgo biloba is also used by a large part of the population. It is especially used to improve blood flow if you have problems with cold hands or impaired memory.

By: Vitality Council

Reference:
Ugeskrift for Laeger, 28. April 2003, no. 18.

www.dadlnet.dk
www.iom.dk