Bilobil 80 mg hard capsules – herbal medicine for age-related cognitive impairment

Bilobil 80 mg is a herbal medicine in hard capsules containing 80 mg of purified, quantified dry extract of ginkgo leaf (Ginkgo biloba).

According to the approved leaflet, Bilobil is used to improve age-related cognitive impairment and quality of life in mild forms of dementia. Treatment lasts at least 8 weeks; if there is no improvement after 3 months, a doctor should assess whether continuing is justified.

What is Bilobil 80 mg used for and how should it be taken?

Key facts about the medicine

What is Bilobil 80 mg used for?

Bilobil is a herbal medicine for improving cognitive impairment (age-related) and quality of life in mild forms of dementia.

If you do not feel better, or feel worse, after 3 months, see a doctor.

How is it used and dosed?

• Total daily dose: no more than 240 mg a day (3 capsules of 80 mg).
• Swallow the capsules whole, without chewing, with enough liquid (preferably a glass of water); they can be taken with or without food.
• Treatment should last at least 8 weeks.
• If there is no improvement after 3 months, or symptoms get worse, a doctor should assess whether continuing treatment is justified.

Special patient groups

• Children and adolescents: the medicine is not intended for use.
• Older people: the dose is the same as for adults.
• People with epilepsy: ask a doctor before use, as ginkgo preparations may trigger seizures.

Contraindications – when the medicine must not be used

• hypersensitivity (allergy) to ginkgo leaf extract or any of the excipients
• pregnancy

Precautions and warnings

• Before starting treatment talk to a doctor to rule out another illness that needs specific treatment; if symptoms get worse, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
• Increased bleeding tendency (haemorrhagic diathesis) or concurrent treatment with blood thinners: use only after consulting a doctor.
• Planned surgery: tell your doctor you are taking Bilobil; as a precaution it can be stopped 3–4 days before the procedure.
• Epilepsy: seizures may occur.
• The medicine contains lactose and glucose – people with rare hereditary sugar intolerances must not use it; the azo dye azorubine (E122) may cause allergic reactions.

Interactions with other medicines, alcohol and food

• anticoagulants and antiplatelet medicines (coumarin anticoagulants, warfarin, clopidogrel, acetylsalicylic acid and other NSAIDs) – ginkgo may affect their action; with warfarin your doctor may monitor you when starting, changing the dose or stopping
• dabigatran – ginkgo may increase its effect
• nifedipine – its effect may increase (dizziness, stronger hot flushes)
• efavirenz (an HIV medicine) – combined use is not recommended because its effect may be reduced

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Bilobil must not be used during pregnancy – it may increase the tendency to bleed and safety data are insufficient. Because of insufficient data, use during breastfeeding is not recommended.

Driving and using machines

No appropriate studies on the effect on the ability to drive and use machines have been performed. Bear in mind that dizziness is a common side effect.

Possible side effects

• very common (more than 1 in 10): headache
• common (up to 1 in 10): dizziness; diarrhoea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting
• frequency not known: allergic skin reactions (redness, swelling, itching, rash), hypersensitivity reactions (allergic shock), bleeding from individual organs (eye, nose, brain, digestive tract)

Suspected side effects can be reported to your doctor, pharmacist or the Medicines and Medical Devices Agency of Serbia (ALIMS).

Overdose, missed dose and stopping treatment

• Overdose: no cases of overdose with ginkgo extract have been reported so far; if you have taken a higher dose, consult a doctor or pharmacist.
• Missed dose: take it as soon as possible, unless it is almost time for the next dose – then skip it. Do not take a double dose.
• Stopping treatment: if you stop taking the medicine, tell your doctor or pharmacist.

Composition, packaging and manufacturer

• One capsule contains 80 mg of dry ginkgo leaf extract (35–67:1; extraction solvent acetone 60% m/m), with 17.6–21.6 mg flavonoids (as flavone glycosides) and 4.0–5.6 mg terpene lactones (2.24–2.72 mg ginkgolides A, B, C and 2.08–2.56 mg bilobalide).
• Excipient in the extract: liquid glucose, spray-dried. Capsule content: lactose monohydrate; maize starch; talc; colloidal anhydrous silica; magnesium stearate.
• Capsule shell: black and red iron oxide (E172), titanium dioxide (E171), azorubine (E122), gelatin – pink capsules.
• Pack: blister of 10 capsules; carton of 2 blisters (20 capsules) or 6 blisters (60 capsules).
• Marketing authorisation holder: Krka-Farma d.o.o. Beograd (licence 515-01-04773-21-001 (20 capsules) and 515-01-04774-21-001 (60 capsules), both of 4 November 2022).
• Manufacturer: Krka, d.d., Novo mesto, Slovenia.

Storage

• Store below 25 °C in the original package to protect from moisture.
• Shelf life: 3 years.
• Keep out of the sight and reach of children; do not use after the expiry date on the pack.
• Return unused medicine to a pharmacy that collects unused medicines.

Frequently asked questions

How long should Bilobil be taken?

According to the leaflet, treatment should last at least 8 weeks. If there is no improvement after 3 months, or symptoms get worse, a doctor assesses whether continuing is justified.

Can I take Bilobil with aspirin or blood thinners?

Only on medical advice. Ginkgo may affect the action of anticoagulants and antiplatelet medicines (warfarin, clopidogrel, acetylsalicylic acid, dabigatran) and increase the tendency to bleed.

Is Bilobil forte the same as Bilobil 80 mg?

In Serbia this medicine is registered as "Bilobil, 80 mg, hard capsules", and the name "forte" is not used in the ALIMS documents. One capsule contains 80 mg of dry ginkgo leaf extract, and the usual dose is 3 capsules once a day.

Is Bilobil taken before or after meals?

The capsules can be taken with or without food; swallow them whole, without chewing, with a glass of water.

Sources

• ALIMS – Patient leaflet Bilobil®, 80 mg, hard capsules (licence 515-01-04773-21-001 (20 capsules) and 515-01-04774-21-001 (60 capsules), both of 4 November 2022; corrected 2025)
• ALIMS – Summary of product characteristics Bilobil®, 80 mg, hard capsules
• ALIMS – List of medicines dispensed without a prescription (dispensing status, registered packs)

Sources checked on: 23 October 2026.