Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Based on 1 of 2 ingredients. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Black Currant Seed Oil Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by SP Standard Process

Softgel Capsule Category: Fat/fatty Acid
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Black Currant Seed Oil is a dietary supplement by SP Standard Process with 2 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for dry eyes and eye strain, joint pain and inflammation, immune and general wellness support.Based on those ingredients, 140 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Black Currant seed Oil. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Black Currant Seed Oil by SP Standard Process

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 2 of its 2 active ingredients.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This softgel contains 2 active ingredients: gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and black currant seed oil. Black currant seed oil is the primary source of GLA, which is an omega-6 fatty acid found naturally in the berry's seeds.

The capsule itself is made from gelatin, water, and glycerin — inactive ingredients that form and preserve the softgel.

Does it work?

Couldn't assess
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Not assessable

This is a single-ingredient Black Currant product and its label doesn't state a use — see Black Currant's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • We looked at the product name, claims, and label statements and couldn't find a stated purpose to grade.

The evidence we hold for black currant seed oil doesn't establish reliable effectiveness for the conditions it's marketed for — Alzheimer disease, liver disease, upper respiratory tract infection, cough, and atopic dermatitis (eczema) all carry a rating of insufficient reliable evidence to rate. That means the research available isn't conclusive enough yet to say whether it works for these uses.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Black Currant

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Black currant as a food (fresh or in jams) is well tolerated, but concentrated supplements like this one are less studied, and the safety data recommends you talk with your doctor before starting. In a trial of over 2,100 people taking 1.8 grams twice daily for 6 weeks, a small number reported mild diarrhea 2 to 10 days after beginning the supplement.

There isn't enough information on file about this product in pregnancy or breastfeeding — talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice if you're pregnant, planning to be, or nursing.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Black Currant

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Black Currant.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs.
  • For scale: 140 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking this product if you're on blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs (such as warfarin or aspirin) — GLA may increase bleeding risk. Also verify it with anyone prescribing phenothiazines (antipsychotics) — there's theoretical concern it could lower seizure threshold, though evidence is limited.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no assessable stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Black currant seed oil may be worth considering if you're curious about its traditional uses, but the evidence for those claims isn't established yet. If you take blood thinners, antiplatelet drugs, or antipsychotic medications, you'll need to clear it with your doctor or pharmacist first — the GLA content carries real interaction risks.

Since concentrated supplements are less studied than the food form, ask your healthcare provider whether it's appropriate for you.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 2 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Nov 19, 2021.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Black Currant Seed Oil, straight from the product label.

Brand SP Standard Process
Barcode (UPC) 812122010283
Net contents 60 Softgel(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Nov 19, 2021
DSLD ID 256284
Product type Fat/fatty Acid
Supplement form Softgel Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Black Currant Seed Oil by SP Standard Process, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
1 Softgel(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Softgel(s)
Servings per container
60
UPC/BARCODE
812122010283
IngredientAmount% DV
Gamma-Linolenic Acid47 mg--
Black Currant seed Oil320 mg--

Other ingredients: Gelatin, Water, Glycerin

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: One softgel per meal, or as directed.

Formulation

Gluten free

General Statements

Whole food supplements since 1929

Precautions

Caution: This product is processed in a facility that manufactures other products containing soy, milk, egg, wheat, peanut, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish.

See for yourself

Black Currant Seed Oil by SP Standard Process label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Black Currant Seed Oil by SP Standard Process

These are the 2 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Softgel(s) Dosage formSoftgel Capsule Servings per container60 Amounts shown are per serving.

Most supplement products combine several ingredients, and a medication can interact with the product through any one of them. Each ingredient below shows whether it has known drug interactions.

Gamma-Linolenic Acid

47 mg per serving

Black Currant seed Oil

Interacts with
140 drugs
320 mg per serving

Black currant is a nutritious berry that is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, and its seed oil contains the omega-6 fatty acid GLA. While it is enjo...

Black Currant seed Oil monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Gelatin, Water, Glycerin. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Black Currant Seed Oil by SP Standard Process Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Black Currant Seed Oil?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

Go to the checker
140Drugs
140 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Black Currant Seed Oil with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Black Currant seed Oil2 drug types · 140 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, black currant seed oil might increase the risk of bleeding if used in combination with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), a constituent of black currant seed oil, appears to have antiplatelet effects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Phenothiazines

Theoretically, black currant seed oil might increase the risk of seizure in patients receiving phenothiazines.
Black currant seed oil contains gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). There is some concern that taking supplements containing GLA might cause seizures, or lower the seizure threshold, when taken with phenothiazines, although there is no evidence that black currant seed oil causes seizures. In one report, three patients with schizophrenia who had received phenothiazines developed EEG changes suggestive of temporal lobe epilepsy after starting treatment with GLA, although none experienced an actual seizure. In another report, two patients with schizophrenia who were stabilized on phenothiazines developed seizures when evening primrose 4 grams daily, which contains GLA, was added. One of these patients had a prior history of seizures.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Black Currant Seed Oil, from the product label.

SP Standard Process

See all SP Standard Process products
Name
Standard Process Inc.
Street Address
1200 West Royal Lee Drive
City
Palmyra
State
WI
ZipCode
53156
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Black Currant Seed Oil by SP Standard Process: Common Questions

Does Black Currant Seed Oil by SP Standard Process interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Black Currant Seed Oil has a known interaction with 140 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Black Currant Seed Oil contains 2 active ingredients, and an interaction can come from any of them. We check every ingredient, combine the results into one list per medication, and show which ingredient and mechanism is responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Can I take this with my blood thinner?
No — not without checking with your doctor first. The GLA in black currant seed oil has blood-thinning effects, and combining it with prescription blood thinners or aspirin could increase your bleeding risk. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting.
Does black currant seed oil actually work?
We don't have reliable evidence yet that it works for the conditions it's sold for — Alzheimer disease, liver disease, upper respiratory infections, cough, and eczema all lack sufficient research to say either way. The food form has a longer history of traditional use, but concentrated supplements are less studied.
What's the difference between GLA and black currant seed oil?
GLA (gamma-linolenic acid) is the active fatty acid inside black currant seed oil. When you take black currant seed oil, you're getting GLA as its main active component — it's the ingredient responsible for the product's effects and interactions.
Is it safe to take while pregnant?
There isn't enough data on concentrated black currant supplements in pregnancy to know either way. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist — they can help you weigh whether it's right for you in your situation.
I had mild diarrhea when I tried it — is that normal?
In a large trial, a small number of people reported mild diarrhea 2 to 10 days after starting black currant seed oil at 1.8 grams twice daily. If it happens to you, mention it to your pharmacist — they can help you decide whether to continue, adjust the dose, or stop.
What's in the capsule besides the active ingredient?
The softgel is made from gelatin, water, and glycerin — these are inactive ingredients used to form and preserve the capsule. There are no other active ingredients.

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

Not sure if Black Currant Seed Oil is safe with your meds?

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Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Black Currant Seed Oil label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Black Currant Seed Oil's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

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

The 6 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Black Currant 6 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
  2. Fa-lin Z, Zhen-yu W, Yan H, et al. Efficacy of blackcurrant oil soft capsule, a Chinese herbal drug, in hyperlipidemia treatment. Phytother Res 2010;24 Suppl 2:S209-13. PubMed
  3. Holman CP and Bell AF. A trial of evening primrose oil in the treatment of chronic schizophrenia. J Orhtomolecular Psych 1983;12:302-304.
  4. Vaddadi KS. The use of gamma-linolenic acid and linoleic acid to differentiate between temporal lobe epilepsy and schizophrenia. Prostaglandins Med 1981;6(4):375-379. PubMed
  5. Norred, C. L. and Brinker, F. Potential coagulation effects of preoperative complementary and alternative medicines. Alt Ther 2001;7(6):58-67.
  6. Puri BK. The safety of evening primrose oil in epilepsy. Prostaglandins Leukotrienes Essential Fatty Acids 2007;77:101-3. PubMed

See these in context on the Black Currant monograph →

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

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