Evening Primrose

Evening primrose is a plant also known as Primrose Seed Oil, Aceite de Onagra, Acide Cis-linoléique, Cis-Linoleic Acid, EPO, Fever Plant, Herbe-aux-ânes, Huile de Graines d'Onagre, Huile D'Onagre, Huile de Primerose, Huile de Primevère Vespérale, Jambon de Jardinier, Jambon du Paysan, King's Cureall, Mâche Rouge, Night Willow-Herb, Oenothera biennis, Oenothera muricata, Oenothera purpurata, Oenothera rubricaulis, Oenothera suaveolens, Onagra biennis, Onagraire, Onagre Bisannuelle, Onagre Commune, Primevère du Soir, Scabish, Sun Drop, and other names.

Evening primrose has been used in alternative medicine as a possibly effective aid in treating nerve damage caused by diabetes, and osteoporosis.

Evening primrose has also been used to treat asthma, eczema, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), hepatitis B, high cholesterol, liver cancer, breast pain, obesity, menopausal hot flashes and night sweats, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and skin or joint symptoms of psoriasis. However, research has shown that evening primrose may not be effective in treating these conditions.

Evening primrose may have been combined with other plants or extracts in a specific preparation to treat these conditions.

Other uses not proven with research have included chronic fatigue syndrome, dyslexia, coordination and movement problems, diaper rash, dry eyes, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, ulcerative colitis, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's and other conditions.

It is not certain whether evening primrose is effective in treating any medical condition. Medicinal use of this product has not been approved by the FDA. Evening primrose should not be used in place of medication prescribed for you by your doctor.

Evening primrose is often sold as an herbal supplement. There are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for many herbal compounds and some marketed supplements have been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.

Evening primrose may also be used for purposes not listed in this product guide.

When thinking about using herbal supplements, talk to your doctor. You may also want to consult with someone who is trained in herbal/health supplements.

If you decide to use evening primrose, take it as directed on the package or as directed by your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider. Do not take more of this product than what is recommended on the label.

Do not use different types (e.g., tablets, liquids, and others) of evening primrose at the same time unless a healthcare professional tells you to do so. Using different types together increases the risk of taking too much evening primrose.

Contact your doctor if the issue you are treating with evening primrose does not get better, or if it gets worse while you are using this product.

Evening primrose can affect blood clotting and may raise your risk of bleeding. If you need surgery, dental work, or a medical procedure, stop taking evening primrose at least 2 weeks beforehand.

Store at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.

Follow all instructions on the product label and package. Inform each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you are taking.

You should not use this product if you are allergic to evening primrose or if you have:

• a bleeding or blood clotting disorder; or
• if you are pregnant.

Ask a doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider if it is safe for you to use this product if you have:

• epilepsy or a seizure disorder; or
• schizophrenia.

Evening primrose is considered likely unsafe to use during pregnancy. Do not use this product without medical advice if you are pregnant.

Evening primrose is considered possibly safe to use while breast-feeding. Do not use this product without medical advice if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without medical advice.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Although not all side effects are known, evening primrose is thought to be likely safe for most people when used for up to a year.

Stop using evening primrose and call your healthcare provider at once if you have:

• easy bruising or bleeding; or
• a bleeding that will not stop.

Common side effects of Evening Primrose may include:

• upset stomach;
• nausea;
• diarrhea; or
• headache.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Skip the missed dose if it is close to the time for your next dose. Do not use extra evening primrose to compensate for the missed dose.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Follow your healthcare provider's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

Avoid using evening primrose together with other herbal/health supplements that can also affect blood-clotting. This includes angelica (dong quai), capsicum, clove, danshen, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, horse chestnut, panax ginseng, poplar, red clover, saw palmetto, turmeric, and willow.

Do not take evening primrose without medical advice if you are using any of the following medications:

• a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven);
• medicine to treat a mental illness; or
• NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) -- aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with evening primrose, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and Herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this product guide.