EPO Ingredients & Drug Interactions
What is this page for?
First and foremost: checking EPO against your medications. The heart of this page is the interaction checker and the full interaction report — how this product’s ingredients may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medicines you may be taking.
Around that, we add a pharmacist’s high-level view of the product as a whole — what’s inside, the evidence for its stated use, how transparent the label is, and what safety data exists — so you can see the full picture in one place. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases and the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist — not medical advice — and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy
EPO is a dietary supplement by Adaptogen Research with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for eczema and skin health, pms symptoms, breast pain (mastalgia).Based on those ingredients, 309 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Evening Primrose seed Oil. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.
Check Your Meds Against EPO by Adaptogen Research
Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with EPO by Adaptogen Research — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.
AI summaries are generated from our interaction database for education only — always confirm with your pharmacist. How we use AI
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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of EPO by Adaptogen Research
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.
What’s inside
Full disclosure
EPO by Adaptogen Research is a 4-ingredient softgel blend centered on plant-based fats and oils. The active ingredients are polyunsaturated fat, gamma-linolenic acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid, and evening primrose seed oil — a concentrated source of omega-6 fatty acids and other compounds.
The capsule itself contains gelatin, glycerin, and water as inactive ingredients.
Does it work?
Moderate evidence
Oleic acid, one of the product's active ingredients, is rated possibly effective for two uses: lowering cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) and reducing risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). We hold no effectiveness data in our system for polyunsaturated fat, gamma-linolenic acid, linoleic acid, or evening primrose seed oil as sold in this product.
How safe is it?
Some data gaps
Oleic acid is generally recognized as safe when consumed in normal food amounts — olive oil and other culinary sources are well tolerated. However, concentrated supplements containing oleic acid have not been well studied in pregnancy or during breastfeeding, so the safety data advises caution at supplement-level doses in those periods.
No adverse effects are documented for this product's ingredients in our data. If you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to be, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether this product is right for you.
Meds to double-check
Moderate interaction found
If you take any antidiabetes drugs (medications that lower blood sugar), check with your pharmacist before starting this product — oleic acid may increase their effect and could lower your blood sugar more than expected. We could not check the other three active ingredients for interactions.
The bottom line
Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with some supporting evidence behind its ingredients' uses. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and some safety-information gaps remain.
This product may help with cholesterol and heart health, based on oleic acid's possibly effective rating. If you take any medication for blood sugar control, you'll want to check your exact drugs with your pharmacist before starting — oleic acid might increase how well they work.
Talk it over with your own doctor or pharmacist to see if it fits your health plan.
Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI
Assessment coverage: 1 of 4 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Apr 22, 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
General information
Key facts about EPO, straight from the product label.
| Brand | Adaptogen Research |
|---|---|
| Barcode (UPC) | 828054763715 |
| Net contents | 100 Softgel(s) |
| Market status | On market |
| Date entered into DSLD | Apr 22, 2021 |
| DSLD ID | 246981 |
| Product type | Fat/fatty Acid |
| Supplement form | Softgel Capsule |
| Dietary claims / uses | All Other |
| Intended target group(s) | Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free, Dairy Free |
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 EPO by Adaptogen Research, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.
Supplement Facts
| Ingredient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 10 Calorie(s) | -- |
| Calories from Fat | 10 Calorie(s) | -- |
| Total Fat | 1 Gram(s) | 1% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1 Gram(s) | -- |
| Gamma-Linolenic Acid | 76 mg | -- |
| Linoleic Acid | 544 mg | -- |
| Oleic Acid | 49.9 mg | -- |
| Evening Primrose seed Oil | 1300 mg | -- |
Other ingredients: Gelatin, Glycerin, Water
Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.
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.
Formula
Evening Primrose Oil
FDA Statement of Identity
Dietary Supplement
General Statements
Professional Use Only
Precautions
Report any adverse reactions to (302) 213-0030
Do not use if shrinkwrap is broken or missing.
Keep out of reach of children.
Formulation
Free of the following common allergens: milk/casein, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, gluten, soybeans, and corn. Contains no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
Produced under a strict quality management system in compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and third-party quality certifications.
Notice: Color, size or shape may appear different between lots.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions
Suggested Use: As a dietary supplement, take 1 softgel, 1 to 2 times daily with food or as directed by your healthcare practitioner.
Storage
Store in a cool, dry place (59 degrees F-85 degrees F) away from direct light.
Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.
EPO by Adaptogen Research label
The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.
Label images are published by the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database for the version of this product on file. Always read your actual product label.
View the full label (PDF)The Ingredients in EPO by Adaptogen Research
This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.
Serving size1 Softgel(s) Dosage formSoftgel Capsule Servings per container100 Amounts shown are per serving.
Evening Primrose seed Oil
Interacts with234 drugs
Evening primrose oil is a seed oil rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an omega-6 fatty acid, that is popularly used for skin conditions, PMS, and bre...
Evening Primrose seed Oil monograph & interactions- › Gamma-Linolenic Acid
- › Linoleic Acid
- › Oleic Acid
Other (inactive) ingredients: Gelatin, Glycerin, Water. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.
EPO by Adaptogen Research Drug Interactions
HelloPharmacist Interaction Report
EPO by Adaptogen Research contains oleic acid, which has documented interactions with medications.
The most serious concern is a Moderate interaction with antidiabetes drugs (medications that lower blood sugar). Oleic acid may increase how well these drugs work — preliminary research shows that a diet rich in oleic acid from olive oil lowers fasting blood sugar levels compared to other oils, which could theoretically boost the effect of your antidiabetes medication.
Read the full breakdown — every affected drug type, severity by severity
Altogether, these interactions span 86 individual medications.
We could not check three of the product's four active ingredients — polyunsaturated fat, gamma-linolenic acid, and linoleic acid — because we hold no interaction data for them. Evening primrose seed oil is a blend whose individual components are listed separately above.
Before you start this product, especially if you take any blood-sugar medication, run your exact drugs through the interaction checker on this page.
Check your own medications below · Editorial policy · How we use AI
Want to check YOUR meds against EPO?
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 checkerIngredients driving the most interactions
Individual Drug Interactions
The ingredients in EPO interact with 309 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.
1 of the 1 ingredient in EPO interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Evening Primrose seed Oil
AbciximabReoPro
How Abciximab interacts with EPO — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Evening Primrose Seed OilAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, evening primrose oil may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Evening Primrose Seed Oil + Abciximab interactionAbrocitinibCibinqo
How Abrocitinib interacts with EPO — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Evening Primrose Seed OilCytochrome P450 2c9 (cyp2c9) Substrates, Anticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, evening primrose may increase the levels and clinical effects of CYP2C9 substrates.
Read the full Evening Primrose Seed Oil + Abrocitinib interactionAcarboseGlucobay, Prandase, Precose
How Acarbose interacts with EPO — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Oleic AcidAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, oleic acid might increase the effects of antidiabetes drugs.
Read the full Oleic Acid + Acarbose interactionAcenocoumarolSintrom
How Acenocoumarol interacts with EPO — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Evening Primrose Seed OilAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, evening primrose oil may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Evening Primrose Seed Oil + Acenocoumarol interactionAcepromazineAtravet
How Acepromazine interacts with EPO — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Evening Primrose Seed OilPhenothiazines Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking evening primrose oil with phenothiazines might increase the risk of convulsions.
Read the full Evening Primrose Seed Oil + Acepromazine interactionAcetaminophen, AspirinGemnisyn
How Acetaminophen, Aspirin interacts with EPO — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Evening Primrose Seed OilAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, evening primrose oil may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Evening Primrose Seed Oil + Acetaminophen, Aspirin interactionAcetaminophen, Aspirin, CaffeineExcedrin, Excedrin Extra Strength, Excedrin Migraine
How Acetaminophen, Aspirin, Caffeine interacts with EPO — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Evening Primrose Seed OilAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, evening primrose oil may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Evening Primrose Seed Oil + Acetaminophen, Aspirin, Caffeine interactionAcetaminophen, IbuprofenCombogesic
How Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen interacts with EPO — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Evening Primrose Seed OilCytochrome P450 2c9 (cyp2c9) Substrates, Anticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, evening primrose may increase the levels and clinical effects of CYP2C9 substrates.
Read the full Evening Primrose Seed Oil + Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen interactionAcetohexamideDymelor
How Acetohexamide interacts with EPO — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Oleic AcidAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, oleic acid might increase the effects of antidiabetes drugs.
Read the full Oleic Acid + Acetohexamide interactionAcetylsalicylic AcidEntrophen
How Acetylsalicylic Acid interacts with EPO — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Evening Primrose Seed OilAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, evening primrose oil may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Evening Primrose Seed Oil + Acetylsalicylic Acid interactionAlbiglutideTanzeum
How Albiglutide interacts with EPO — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Oleic AcidAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, oleic acid might increase the effects of antidiabetes drugs.
Read the full Oleic Acid + Albiglutide interactionAlogliptinNesina
How Alogliptin interacts with EPO — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Oleic AcidAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, oleic acid might increase the effects of antidiabetes drugs.
Read the full Oleic Acid + Alogliptin interactionAlogliptin, MetforminKazano
How Alogliptin, Metformin interacts with EPO — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Oleic AcidAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, oleic acid might increase the effects of antidiabetes drugs.
Read the full Oleic Acid + Alogliptin, Metformin interactionAlogliptin, PioglitazoneOseni
How Alogliptin, Pioglitazone interacts with EPO — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Oleic AcidAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, oleic acid might increase the effects of antidiabetes drugs.
Read the full Oleic Acid + Alogliptin, Pioglitazone interactionAlteplase, TpaActilyse, Activase
How Alteplase, Tpa interacts with EPO — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Evening Primrose Seed OilAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, evening primrose oil may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Evening Primrose Seed Oil + Alteplase, Tpa interactionAluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium HydroxideAscriptin Codeine #2
How Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide interacts with EPO — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Evening Primrose Seed OilAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, evening primrose oil may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Evening Primrose Seed Oil + Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide interactionAluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Magnesium HydroxideAscriptin
How Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Magnesium Hydroxide interacts with EPO — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Evening Primrose Seed OilAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, evening primrose oil may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Evening Primrose Seed Oil + Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Magnesium Hydroxide interactionAmitriptyline, PerphenazineEtrafon, Etrafon-A, Etrafon-Forte, Triavil
How Amitriptyline, Perphenazine interacts with EPO — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Evening Primrose Seed OilCytochrome P450 2c9 (cyp2c9) Substrates, Phenothiazines Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, evening primrose may increase the levels and clinical effects of CYP2C9 substrates.
Read the full Evening Primrose Seed Oil + Amitriptyline, Perphenazine interactionAnacaulase-bcdbNexoBrid
How Anacaulase-bcdb interacts with EPO — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Evening Primrose Seed OilAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, evening primrose oil may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Evening Primrose Seed Oil + Anacaulase-bcdb interactionAnagrelideAgrylin
How Anagrelide interacts with EPO — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Evening Primrose Seed OilAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, evening primrose oil may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Evening Primrose Seed Oil + Anagrelide interactionAnisindioneMiradon
How Anisindione interacts with EPO — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Evening Primrose Seed OilAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, evening primrose oil may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Evening Primrose Seed Oil + Anisindione interactionAntidiabetes, Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 (dpp-iv) InhibitorGlyxambi
How Antidiabetes, Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 (dpp-iv) Inhibitor interacts with EPO — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Oleic AcidAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, oleic acid might increase the effects of antidiabetes drugs.
Read the full Oleic Acid + Antidiabetes, Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 (dpp-iv) Inhibitor interactionAntithrombin IiiThrombate III
How Antithrombin Iii interacts with EPO — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Evening Primrose Seed OilAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, evening primrose oil may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Evening Primrose Seed Oil + Antithrombin Iii interactionApixabanEliquis
How Apixaban interacts with EPO — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Evening Primrose Seed OilAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, evening primrose oil may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Evening Primrose Seed Oil + Apixaban interactionArgatrobanArgatroban
How Argatroban interacts with EPO — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Evening Primrose Seed OilAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, evening primrose oil may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Evening Primrose Seed Oil + Argatroban interactionAspirinAngettes 75, ASA, Asaphen, Aspirin, Caprin, Cartia +8 more
How Aspirin interacts with EPO — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Evening Primrose Seed OilAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, evening primrose oil may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Evening Primrose Seed Oil + Aspirin interactionAspirin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium HydroxideAscriptin Codeine #3
How Aspirin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide interacts with EPO — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Evening Primrose Seed OilAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, evening primrose oil may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Evening Primrose Seed Oil + Aspirin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide interactionAspirin, ButalbitalAxotal
How Aspirin, Butalbital interacts with EPO — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Evening Primrose Seed OilAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, evening primrose oil may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Evening Primrose Seed Oil + Aspirin, Butalbital interactionAspirin, Butalbital, CaffeineFiorinal
How Aspirin, Butalbital, Caffeine interacts with EPO — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Evening Primrose Seed OilAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, evening primrose oil may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Evening Primrose Seed Oil + Aspirin, Butalbital, Caffeine interactionAspirin, Butalbital, Caffeine, Codeine PhosphateFiorinal w/ Codeine
How Aspirin, Butalbital, Caffeine, Codeine Phosphate interacts with EPO — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Evening Primrose Seed OilAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, evening primrose oil may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Evening Primrose Seed Oil + Aspirin, Butalbital, Caffeine, Codeine Phosphate interactionEach ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects
For each ingredient in EPO 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.
Evening Primrose seed Oil
Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs
Theoretically, evening primrose oil may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Evening primrose oil contains gamma linolenic acid (GLA). There is preliminary clinical evidence that GLA can reduce platelet aggregation and prolong bleeding time.
Lithium
Theoretically, concomitant use of lithium with evening primrose oil might decrease lithium levels and effects.
In a case report, a patient on a stable dose of lithium for 10 years experienced a reduction in lithium levels after taking evening primrose oil 500 mg daily. Baseline levels were 0.69 mmol/L, which decreased to 0.37 mmol/L after 2 months and 0.23 mmol/L after 3 months of use. Lithium levels increased within 6 weeks of discontinuing evening primrose oil, to 0.73 mmol/L; no clinical effects were noted.
Lopinavir/Ritonavir (Kaletra)
Theoretically, evening primrose oil might increase the levels and effects of lopinavir.
In a case report, an HIV patient who took evening primrose oil (Efamol) along with lopinavir/ritonavir experienced an increase in serum levels of lopinavir to 15.2 mg/L. Six weeks after discontinuing evening primrose oil, levels of lopinavir returned to the normal range of 5-10 mg/L. When re-challenged with evening primrose oil for a week, the patient's lopinavir levels increased from 6.69 to 8.11 mg/L. It is suspected that evening primrose oil increases levels of lopinavir by inhibiting cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4), which metabolizes lopinavir. However, this effect has not been reported in other research.
Phenothiazines
Theoretically, taking evening primrose oil with phenothiazines might increase the risk of convulsions.
Evening primrose 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. 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 oil 4 grams daily was added. One of these patients had a prior history of seizures. It is unclear whether evening primrose oil had any additive epileptogenic effects with the phenothiazines; there is no evidence that taking evening primrose oil alone causes seizures.
Cytochrome P450 2C9 (Cyp2C9) Substrates
Theoretically, evening primrose may increase the levels and clinical effects of CYP2C9 substrates.
In vitro research shows that linoleic acid, a constituent of evening primrose oil, inhibits CYP2C9.
Brand information
Manufacturer and brand details for EPO, from the product label.
Adaptogen Research
See all Adaptogen Research products- Name
- Adaptogen Research
- Street Address
- 625 Barksdale Road, Suite 113
- City
- Newark
- State
- DE
- ZipCode
- 19711
- Phone Number
- 302-213-0030
EPO by Adaptogen Research: Common Questions
Does EPO by Adaptogen Research interact with any medications?
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Where does this information come from?
Will this product help my cholesterol?
Is it safe to take if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
What does evening primrose seed oil do in this product?
Are there any fillers or other ingredients I should know about?
What if I take blood sugar medication — can I use this?
Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy
Not sure if EPO is safe with your meds?
Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.
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.
The Full Monographs Behind EPO’s Ingredients
Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.
Evening Primrose
Interacts with 234 drugsEvening primrose oil is a seed oil rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an omega-6 fatty acid, that is popularly used for skin conditions, PMS, and breast pain. The evidence behind most of th...
Read the full Evening Primrose monograph → Herb & supplement monographOleic Acid
Interacts with 86 drugsOleic acid is a heart-healthy monounsaturated fat found mainly in olive oil, canola oil, avocados, and nuts. As part of a Mediterranean-style diet, it is widely viewed as a healthier replace...
Read the full Oleic Acid monograph →Sources & How We Checked
EPO'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.
- NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD) — The official product label on file for this supplement.
- Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) — Evidence-graded clinical reference behind the ingredient interaction data.
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 34 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.
Oleic Acid 1 reference
- Madigan C, Ryan M, Owens D, et al. Dietary unsaturated fatty acids in type 2 diabetes: higher levels of postprandial lipoprotein on a linoleic acid-rich sunflower oil diet compared with an oleic acid-rich olive oil diet. Diabetes Care 2000;23:1472-7. PubMed
Evening Primrose 33 references
- Shaw D, Leon C, Kolev S, Murray V. Traditional remedies and food supplements: a 5-year toxicological study (1991-1995). Drug Saf 1997;17:342-56.
- Laivuori H, Hovatta O, Viinikka L, et al. Dietary supplementation with primrose oil or fish oil does not change urinary excretion of prostacyclin and thromboxane metabolites in pre-eclamptic women. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 1993;49:691-4. PubMed
- Dove D, Johnson P. Oral evening primrose oil: its effect on length of pregnancy and selected intrapartum outcomes in low-risk nulliparous women (abstract). J Nurse Midwifery 1999;44:320-4. PubMed
- 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
- Cant A, Shay J, Horrobin DF. The effect of maternal supplementation with linoleic and gamma- linolenic acids on the fat composition and content of human milk: a placebo-controlled trial. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo) 1991;37:573-9. PubMed
- Keen H, Payan J, Allawi J, et al. Treatment of diabetic neuropathy with gamma-linolenic acid. The gamma-Linolenic Acid Multicenter Trial Group. Diabetes Care 1993;16:8-15.
- Blommers J, de Lange-De Klerk ES, Kuik DJ, et al. Evening primrose oil and fish oil for severe chronic mastalgia: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2002;187:1389-94.. DOI
- Cheung KL. Management of cyclical mastalgia in oriental women: pioneer experience of using gamolenic acid (Efamast) in Asia. Aust N Z J Surg 1999;69:492-4..
- Das UN. The lipids that matter from infant nutrition to insulin resistance. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2002;67:1-12. PubMed
- Wedig KE, Whitsett JA. Down the primrose path: petechiae in a neonate exposed to herbal remedy for parturition. J Pediatr 2008;152:140, 140.e1. PubMed
- Ty-Torredes KA. The effect of oral evening primrose oil on bishop score and cervical length amongst term gravidas. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2006;195(6 Suppl 1):S30.
- Moodley J and Norman RJ. Attempts at dietary alteration of prostaglandin pathways in the management of pre-eclampsia. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 1989;37(3):145-147. PubMed
- Tong M. [Treatment of hyperlipemia with evening primrose oil capsules]. Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 1988;8:469-71, 452-3.
- Holman CP and Bell AF. A trial of evening primrose oil in the treatment of chronic schizophrenia. J Orhtomolecular Psych 1983;12:302-304.
- 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
- Zou L, Harkey MR, and Henderson GL. Effects of herbal components on cDNA-expressed cytochrome P450 enzyme catalytic activity. Life Sci 8-16-2002;71(13):1579-1589. PubMed
- Yoon, S., Lee, J., and Lee, S. The therapeutic effect of evening primrose oil in atopic dermatitis patients with dry scaly skin lesions is associated with the normalization of serum gamma-interferon levels. Skin Pharmacol Appl.Skin Physiol 2002;15(1):20- PubMed
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