Herb & supplement monograph

Omega-6 Fatty Acids Drug Interactions, Uses, Effectiveness, Safety & More

Medically reviewed by Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS ·Updated July 2026

What is this page for?

First and foremost: how Omega-6 Fatty Acids interacts with medications. The heart of this page is the interaction list — every drug Omega-6 Fatty Acids is known to interact with, and how serious each one is.

But these pages have grown well beyond that into a full monograph — what Omega-6 Fatty Acids is, what people use it for and how strong the evidence is, its safety and side effects, and answers to the questions we’re asked most — written and reviewed by the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases, not medical advice, and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

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Interaction report

Drugs that interact with Omega-6 Fatty Acids

0 medications have a known interaction with Omega-6 Fatty Acids, graded by severity. Select any drug for the full evidence-based detail.

We don’t currently list any known drug interactions for Omega-6 Fatty Acids. This doesn’t guarantee none exist — always confirm with your pharmacist before combining supplements with your medications.

Read The List Like a Pharmacist

What Severity, Likelihood & Evidence Mean

Severity — How Serious It Can Be

Major. Clinically significant; generally best avoided, or used only under direct professional supervision.
Moderate. May need monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one.
Minor. Generally not clinically significant, but still worth noting and mentioning to your pharmacist.
No known interaction. Checked against our sources with nothing documented — not the same as proven safety.

Likelihood — How Well It’s Documented

Likely. Well-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction
Probable. Interaction 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.
Possible. 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
Unlikely. Interaction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.

Where This Data Comes From

Interaction records are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database (TRC Healthcare), the same reference used by pharmacists and hospitals.
Each drug listed above links to the full report for that exact Omega-6 Fatty Acids combination — clinical detail, likelihood, evidence level, and citations.
Content is reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists — see our data sources and editorial standards.

Monograph

Omega-6 Fatty Acids: Uses, Safety & Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS · Reviewed July 2026 ·

The bottom line

Omega-6 fatty acids are essential fats your body needs but cannot make on its own, and most people get plenty from everyday foods like vegetable oils, nuts, and seeds. Supplements such as evening primrose or borage oil are sometimes used for skin or other concerns, but the evidence for added benefit is mixed, and balancing omega-6 with omega-3 fats matters more than taking more omega-6. Talk with your pharmacist or doctor before adding a supplement.

Part used: Dietary fats from plant oils, seeds, nuts, and some animal sources
Common forms: Vegetable oils (corn, soybean, sunflower, safflower), capsules, evening primrose oil, borage oil, and softgels

People commonly use it for

General nutrition and energy
Skin conditions like eczema
Inflammation support
Heart and cholesterol health
Nerve health (such as diabetic nerve discomfort)

Popular and traditional uses — not proof it works. See “Uses & effectiveness” below for the evidence.

Safety at a glance

OverallUse caution

Generally safe from food, but supplement benefits are uncertain and balance with omega-3 matters.

PregnancyLikely Safe

When consumed as part of the diet in amounts between 5% and 10% of daily calories according to the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) Acceptable Macronutr...

Read the full pregnancy detail

BreastfeedingLikely Safe

When consumed as part of the diet in amounts between 5% and 10% of daily calories according to the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) Acceptable Macronutr...

Read the full breastfeeding detail

Pregnancy & breastfeeding ratings are from Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center). Safety guidance is general; always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor for your situation.

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Overview

Omega-6 fatty acids are a group of polyunsaturated fats that are an essential part of the human diet. Your body cannot make them on its own, so you must get them from food. The most common omega-6 fat is linoleic acid, which the body can turn into other fats such as arachidonic acid and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA).

These fats are found in many everyday foods. Major sources include vegetable oils like corn, soybean, sunflower, and safflower oil, as well as nuts, seeds, and some meats. Specialized supplements such as evening primrose oil and borage oil are rich in GLA, a specific omega-6 fat.

Because omega-6 fats are so common in modern diets, most people in Western countries already get plenty without supplements. They are involved in building cell membranes, supporting skin health, and helping regulate inflammation and other body processes.

How it works

Omega-6 fatty acids are building blocks for cell membranes and for signaling molecules called eicosanoids. These molecules help control inflammation, blood clotting, and other body functions.

Linoleic acid, the main dietary omega-6, can be converted in the body into arachidonic acid. Arachidonic acid is used to make some signaling chemicals that can promote inflammation, while others help resolve it. Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), found in evening primrose and borage oil, may form products that have a more anti-inflammatory effect.

Researchers also study the balance between omega-6 and omega-3 fats, since both compete for the same enzymes in the body. Much of this work comes from laboratory and animal studies, so how it translates to real-world health benefits in people is still not fully clear.

Effectiveness

Does Omega-6 Fatty Acids work?

Here’s what the research actually shows for each use — graded by Natural Medicines and reviewed by Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD.

Evidence overview · 17 uses evaluated

4 Leans ineffective 13 Insufficient evidence

How to read these evidence grades

Natural Medicines’ 7-point scale. We show each rating’s label word-for-word.

1EffectiveStrong, consistent evidence it works.

2Likely EffectiveGood evidence, though not yet conclusive.

3Possibly EffectiveSome evidence suggests a benefit.

4Possibly IneffectiveSome evidence it may not help.

5Likely IneffectiveFairly strong evidence it doesn’t help.

6IneffectiveStrong evidence it doesn’t work.

7Insufficient Reliable Evidence to RateToo little research to say either way.

Possibly Ineffective Cardiovascular disease (CVD)