Which medication may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with clopidogrel?

Clopidogrel is an antiplatelet medication that helps prevent blood clots by inhibiting platelet aggregation. When considering medications or substances that may increase the risk of bleeding when taken concurrently with clopidogrel, it's important to identify any agents known for their potential anticoagulant properties or those that affect platelet function.

Gingko biloba is a herbal remedy often used for its purported cognitive benefits. However, it has been associated with antiplatelet effects and can increase the risk of hemorrhage when taken with medications like clopidogrel. This increased bleeding risk arises because gingko can impair platelet aggregation and alter blood coagulation pathways.

While atorvastatin is primarily a lipid-lowering agent, ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that can also affect bleeding risk but not to the same extent as gingko biloba when considering direct interactions with clopidogrel. Metformin, on the other hand, is an oral medication used to manage diabetes and does not possess anticoagulant properties or significantly impact bleeding risk.

Thus, the correct answer is gingko biloba due to its ability to enhance the effects of clopidogrel on bleeding risk, making the combination cause for concern in clinical