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.

Black Currant Seed Oil contains 2 active ingredients: black currant seed oil itself and gamma-linolenic acid (a fatty acid derived from the seeds). The product comes in softgel capsules with inactive ingredients — gelatin, water, and glycerin — that make up the capsule and help deliver the oil.

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 for black currant seed oil isn't established in our data. We hold insufficient reliable evidence to rate its use for Alzheimer disease, liver disease, upper respiratory tract infection, cough, or atopic dermatitis (eczema).

If you're considering it for one of these purposes, talk it over with your doctor to see what the current research shows and whether it's right for you.

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.

The berry itself is safe as a food, but concentrated supplements like this one are less well studied — the facts advise caution and checking with your doctor first. In a trial of over 2,000 people taking black currant seed oil at a higher dose, a small number reported mild diarrhea a few days after starting; it's the only adverse effect on record.

Pregnancy and lactation safety data aren't on file for this product, so talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether it's appropriate for you.

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 before taking if you're on blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs (like warfarin, clopidogrel, or aspirin) — black currant seed oil may increase your bleeding risk. Also double-check if you take phenothiazines (older antipsychotic medications), as the combination might lower your seizure threshold.

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 might be worth considering if you're interested in its potential health benefits, but it does interact with blood thinners and some antipsychotic medications. Before you start, check your exact medications with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure it's safe for you — especially if you take any anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.

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 May 19, 2022.

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) 812122012812
Net contents 180 Softgel(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD May 19, 2022
DSLD ID 265543
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
180
UPC/BARCODE
812122012812
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

Brand IP Statement(s)

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 container180 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 aspirin or other blood thinners?
Not without checking first. Black currant seed oil may increase bleeding risk when combined with blood thinners and antiplatelet drugs like aspirin, warfarin, and clopidogrel. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before adding it to your routine.
Will this help with my eczema?
We hold insufficient reliable evidence to rate black currant seed oil for atopic dermatitis (eczema). The data doesn't support a clear answer, so your doctor is your best resource to discuss whether it might help you.
What's gamma-linolenic acid, and is it safe?
Gamma-linolenic acid is a fatty acid in black currant seeds. We couldn't check its safety data on its own, but it's part of this oil and appears to have antiplatelet effects — which is why it matters for interactions with blood thinners.
Are there any side effects I should know about?
In a large trial, a small number of people reported mild diarrhea a few days after starting a higher dose of black currant seed oil. Beyond that, adverse effects aren't well documented in our data.
Is this safe during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
We don't have safety data on file for black currant seed oil during pregnancy and lactation. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice — they can help you weigh any potential benefits against what's known about safety.
What's the difference between eating black currant berries and taking this supplement?
Eating the berry in food amounts is likely safe, but this supplement is a concentrated form, and concentrated supplements are less studied. The facts advise caution and checking with your doctor before use.

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

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

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

Ask a pharmacist

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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