Drug & supplement interaction

Gamma-linolenic Acid (gla) + Bromfenac Sodium

Bromfenac Sodium brand names: Prolensa, Bromsite.

Moderate Interaction
Medically reviewed by · Updated September 2026
The bottom line Moderate

Gamma-linolenic Acid (gla) has a moderate interaction with Bromfenac Sodium. Theoretically, GLA might increase the risk of bleeding when taken with anticoagulant or antiplatelet rugs.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodPossible
EvidenceD
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
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Interaction report

Gamma-linolenic Acid (gla) and Bromfenac Sodium

Here is the interaction we found between these two, with the evidence behind it.

Moderate

ANTICOAGULANT/ANTIPLATELET DRUGS

Why this applies to Bromfenac Sodium

Bromfenac Sodium falls under ANTICOAGULANT/ANTIPLATELET DRUGS — the group Gamma-linolenic Acid (gla) interacts with.

Theoretically, GLA might increase the risk of bleeding when taken with anticoagulant or antiplatelet rugs.
Animal and human research suggests that GLA reduces platelet aggregation.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's the good news on this one. Bromfenac (Prolensa, BromSite) is an eye drop you use after cataract surgery, so very little of it ends up in your bloodstream. The concern on file is that GLA may slightly reduce how well platelets (your tiny clotting cells) stick together, which could in theory add to the bleeding-related effects of NSAIDs.

In practice, with drops that mostly stay in and around the eye, this overlap is unlikely to cause a noticeable problem for most people. This is a theoretical caution based on how GLA behaves, not strong real-world evidence. Still, since you're healing from surgery, it's worth a quick word with your pharmacist or surgeon, especially if you bruise easily or take other blood thinners.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Guivernau M, Meza N, Barja P, Roman O. Clinical and experimental study on the long-term effect of dietary gamma-linolenic acid on plasma lipids, platelet aggregation, thromboxane formation, and prostacyclin production. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty A PubMed

What These Ratings Mean

Every interaction above is graded three ways — here’s the key to each label.

Severity how clinically significant the interaction is
Major

Clinically significant. Avoid the combination, or use only under close professional supervision.

Moderate

Usually worth avoiding or managing — may need monitoring, a dose change, or timing apart.

Minor

Generally not serious. Be aware of it and mention it to your pharmacist.

Likelihood how strong the evidence is that the interaction actually happens in people
  • LikelyWell-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction.
  • ProbableInteraction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
  • PossibleInteraction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.
  • UnlikelyInteraction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.
Evidence the quality of the studies behind the rating (graded A–D)
  • AHigh-quality meta-analysis (quantitative systematic review).
  • BCase-control study.
  • CConsensus.
  • DAnecdotal evidence.

These ratings are for information only. Never start, stop, or otherwise change your therapy before speaking with your provider.

Keep it in perspective

Gamma-linolenic Acid (gla) Also Interacts With Other Medications

Gamma-linolenic Acid (gla) has 121 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Bromfenac Sodium one above is one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Moderate 121 No known interaction 2,709 (incl. Bromfenac Sodium)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Gamma-linolenic Acid (gla)

Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Gamma-linolenic Acid (gla). Pick one to open its full report.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Bromfenac Sodium

This page covers Gamma-linolenic Acid (gla) only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Bromfenac Sodium page lists 209 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Beer (major), Danshen (major), Piracetam (major), Wine (major) and Aconite (moderate).

By severity: 4 major · 186 moderate · 19 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Bromfenac Sodium page

“The typical person using bromfenac sodium drops (Prolensa, Bromsite) has just had cataract surgery, often older and often a daily supplement taker, a combination that deserves genuine care. Bromfenac is an NSAID, and 202 of the 209 ingredients here have blood-thinning or antiplatelet activity that can stack with it and make bleeding ea…”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Bromfenac Sodium interaction page

How much people look this up

Where Gamma-linolenic Acid (gla) and Bromfenac Sodium Sit Against Everything Else

Out of every supplement and medication people look up on HelloPharmacist, here is where these two land this week — and which way each has been moving.

Supplement Gamma-linolenic Acid (gla)
Top half

#493 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Bromfenac Sodium
Top half

#887 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today

Position among everything looked up on this site, not a measure of how commonly either one is used or how important it is. A supplement can climb this list because of a news story. It counts every request to the page, automated ones included, and nothing here identifies anyone.

Supplement

About Gamma-linolenic Acid (gla)

What is Gamma-linolenic Acid (gla)?

  • Eczema and dry skin
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Diabetic nerve pain
  • PMS and breast pain
  • Menopausal symptoms

Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) is an omega-6 fatty acid found in oils like evening primrose and borage. It is most studied for skin conditions, joint pain, and nerve pain, but the evidence is mixed and far from conclusive. It is generally well tolerated, but talk with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or take other medicines.

Read the full Gamma-linolenic Acid (gla) monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Bromfenac Ophthalmic

What Is Bromfenac Ophthalmic Used For?

Brand names: Prolensa, Bromsite

Bromfenac ophthalmic solution 0.07% treats inflammation after cataract surgery. It also reduces eye pain in people who have had this surgery.

See full Bromfenac Ophthalmic drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Gamma-linolenic Acid (gla)

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Gamma-linolenic Acid (gla) — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.

0Major
121Moderate
0Minor
2,708No known interaction
121 Moderate 2,708 No interaction
Moderate

121 interactions

Showing 60 of 121 moderate interactions — see all 121 on the Gamma-linolenic Acid (gla) page.

No interaction 2,708 drugs checked — show the list

We also checked Gamma-linolenic Acid (gla) against these medications and found no known interaction in our sources. Open any page to confirm.

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 2,708 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Gamma-linolenic Acid (gla) list.

See the full Gamma-linolenic Acid (gla) interactions page
See every supplement checked against Bromfenac Sodium, ranked by severity
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Interaction details are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database. The medication overview comes from MedlinePlus.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

Keep exploring
Gamma-linolenic Acid (gla) monograph › Uses, safety, and every drug interaction in one place Bromfenac Sodium supplement interactions › Every supplement checked against Bromfenac Sodium, ranked by severity Bromfenac Ophthalmic drug information › The full plain-English guide to this medication Supplement interaction checker › Check any supplement or product against your medications Browse medications A–Z › Every drug we've checked against herbs & supplements Ask a pharmacist › Free, personal answer from our licensed team
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Gamma-linolenic Acid (gla) and Bromfenac Sodium Together: Common Questions

Can you take Gamma-linolenic Acid (gla) with Bromfenac Sodium?
There is a moderate interaction, so it may be acceptable with monitoring or timing changes — but check with your pharmacist first. Read the full details on this page and confirm with your pharmacist before combining them.
How serious is the Gamma-linolenic Acid (gla) and Bromfenac Sodium interaction?
We rate it Moderate. This combination may require monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one. Consult your pharmacist before using them together.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

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This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.