Ginseng Interactions

Ginseng (Panax and American) stimulates pancreatic insulin secretion through the same mechanism as glipizide. The combination is pharmacodynamically synergistic and can cause additive hypoglycemia, particularly in fasting or fed states where ginseng has demonstrated postprandial glucose reductions.

Panax ginseng has its own mild stimulant and sympathomimetic activity that adds to caffeine's effects on heart rate, blood pressure, and CNS arousal. The combination can produce jitteriness, insomnia, palpitations, anxiety, and elevated blood pressure, with greater risk in people with hypertension, arrhythmia, or anxiety disorders.