Evening Primrose Ingredients & Drug Interactions
by Herbal Terra
What is this page for?
First and foremost: checking Evening Primrose 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
Evening Primrose is a dietary supplement by Herbal Terra with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for eczema and skin health, pms symptoms, breast pain (mastalgia).Based on those ingredients, 233 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Evening Primrose Seed Extract, Powdered. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.
Check Your Meds Against Evening Primrose by Herbal Terra
Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Evening Primrose by Herbal Terra — 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 Evening Primrose by Herbal Terra
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
Herbal Terra Evening Primrose contains a single active ingredient: evening primrose seed extract in powdered form. Evening primrose has been studied for various health purposes, though evidence for most uses is limited.
The liquid form also contains alcohol, water, and glycerin as inactive ingredients to deliver the extract.
Does it work?
Couldn't assess
The evidence for evening primrose is mixed and often limited. For asthma, it's rated possibly ineffective.
For breast pain (mastalgia), it's likely ineffective. For other uses we have data on — including use during abortion procedures, acne, hysteroscopy procedures, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder — the evidence isn't strong enough to rate.
If you're considering this product for a specific condition, talk with your pharmacist or doctor about whether the evidence supports its use for your situation.
How safe is it?
Well-documented data
Evening primrose oil is generally well tolerated when taken by mouth short-term, though quality evidence and long-term safety data are limited. The most common side effects are digestive: abdominal pain, distention, diarrhea, indigestion, gas, nausea, and vomiting.
Some people report skin rash, acne, dizziness, or headache. There's also a report of seizures in a patient taking evening primrose while under anesthesia, though other medications may have played a role.
During pregnancy, the safety data is unclear and some reports raise concerns — the facts advise against use in pregnancy unless your doctor directs you to take it. During breastfeeding, safety information is limited, so talk with your pharmacist or doctor before using this product if you're nursing.
Meds to double-check
Moderate interaction found
Check with your pharmacist if you take blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs (like warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel), lithium for mood disorders, phenothiazines (antipsychotic medications), lopinavir/ritonavir for HIV, or any medication cleared through the CYP2C9 enzyme pathway. These are the documented interactions we have data on.
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.
Evening primrose is generally well tolerated for short-term use, but it interacts with blood thinners, lithium, antipsychotics, and some HIV medications. If you take any prescription medication — especially drugs that affect bleeding or seizure risk — check with your pharmacist before starting.
Pregnant women should avoid it unless directed otherwise by their doctor.
Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI
Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Feb 23, 2025.
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 Evening Primrose, straight from the product label.
| Brand | Herbal Terra |
|---|---|
| Barcode (UPC) | 1977490749322 |
| Net contents | 4 Fluid Ounce(s); 120 mL |
| Market status | On market |
| Date entered into DSLD | Feb 23, 2025 |
| DSLD ID | 326973 |
| Product type | Botanical |
| Supplement form | Liquid |
| Dietary claims / uses | All Other, Structure/Function |
| Intended target group(s) | Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free, Sugar 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 Evening Primrose by Herbal Terra, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.
Supplement Facts
| Ingredient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Evening Primrose Seed Extract, Powdered | 983 mg | -- |
Other ingredients: Alcohol, Water, Glycerin
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.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions
Shake well before use. Adults take up to 30 drops (1 mL, one full squeeze of the dropper bulb) in 3-4 fl. oz. of juice or water up to 4 times a day.
Precautions
We recommend to seek expert medical advice before taking. May have contraindications and cause adverse reaction.
Consult a physician before giving to children under 18, before using during pregnancy, if nursing, or if you are on any medications.
Consult a physician before giving to children under 18, before using during pregnancy, if nursing, or if you are on any medications. Keep out of the reach of children!
Do not use if you are allergic to any ingredients.
Storage
Store in a cool, dry, dark place.
FDA Disclaimer Statement
This product has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Formulation
cGMP Made in compliance with cGMP 21 CFR 111 in an FDA registered and inspected facility.
Sugar free
Expertly extracted 100% natural Premium product
Organic alcohol
No artificial ingredients, color additives, fillers or binders.
Natural Gluten free
Formula
Oenothera biennis
Organic alcohol
FDA Statement of Identity
Herbal Supplement
Seals/Symbols
Made in USA
General Statements
Organic raw material.
Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.
Evening Primrose by Herbal Terra 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 Evening Primrose by Herbal Terra
This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.
Serving size1 mL Dosage formLiquid Servings per container120 Amounts shown are per serving.
Evening Primrose Seed Extract, Powdered
Interacts with233 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 Extract, Powdered monograph & interactionsOther (inactive) ingredients: Alcohol, Water, Glycerin. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.
Evening Primrose by Herbal Terra Drug Interactions
HelloPharmacist Interaction Report
Herbal Terra Evening Primrose has documented interactions with several medication types.
The most serious concern is with blood thinners and antiplatelet drugs (such as warfarin, aspirin, and clopidogrel). Evening primrose oil contains gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), which can reduce how blood clots and prolong bleeding time — meaning you might bleed more easily if you combine this supplement with these medications.
Read the full breakdown — every affected drug type, severity by severity
You'll also want to check if you take lithium for mood disorders. A case report shows that evening primrose oil may lower lithium levels, which could reduce how well it works for you.
Similarly, if you're on phenothiazines (antipsychotic medications), there's a concern that evening primrose oil might increase seizure risk. There's also a case report of increased levels of the HIV medication lopinavir when taken with evening primrose oil.
Finally, evening primrose may increase levels of certain medications that your liver clears through a specific enzyme (CYP2C9 substrates), though this effect is ranked as minor.
Altogether, these interactions span 230 individual medications. Use the search tool on this page to check your exact medications before starting this product.
Check your own medications below · Editorial policy · How we use AI
Want to check YOUR meds against Evening Primrose?
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 Evening Primrose interact with 233 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.
1 of the 1 ingredient in Evening Primrose interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Evening Primrose Seed Extract, Powdered
AbciximabReoPro
How Abciximab interacts with Evening Primrose — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Evening Primrose Seed Extract, PowderedAnticoagulant/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 Extract, Powdered + Abciximab interactionAbrocitinibCibinqo
How Abrocitinib interacts with Evening Primrose — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Evening Primrose Seed Extract, PowderedCytochrome 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 Extract, Powdered + Abrocitinib interactionAcenocoumarolSintrom
How Acenocoumarol interacts with Evening Primrose — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Evening Primrose Seed Extract, PowderedAnticoagulant/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 Extract, Powdered + Acenocoumarol interactionAcepromazineAtravet
How Acepromazine interacts with Evening Primrose — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Evening Primrose Seed Extract, PowderedPhenothiazines Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking evening primrose oil with phenothiazines might increase the risk of convulsions.
Read the full Evening Primrose Seed Extract, Powdered + Acepromazine interactionAcetaminophen, AspirinGemnisyn
How Acetaminophen, Aspirin interacts with Evening Primrose — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Evening Primrose Seed Extract, PowderedAnticoagulant/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 Extract, Powdered + Acetaminophen, Aspirin interactionAcetaminophen, Aspirin, CaffeineExcedrin, Excedrin Extra Strength, Excedrin Migraine
How Acetaminophen, Aspirin, Caffeine interacts with Evening Primrose — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Evening Primrose Seed Extract, PowderedAnticoagulant/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 Extract, Powdered + Acetaminophen, Aspirin, Caffeine interactionAcetaminophen, IbuprofenCombogesic
How Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen interacts with Evening Primrose — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Evening Primrose Seed Extract, PowderedCytochrome 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 Extract, Powdered + Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen interactionAcetylsalicylic AcidEntrophen
How Acetylsalicylic Acid interacts with Evening Primrose — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Evening Primrose Seed Extract, PowderedAnticoagulant/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 Extract, Powdered + Acetylsalicylic Acid interactionAlteplase, TpaActilyse, Activase
How Alteplase, Tpa interacts with Evening Primrose — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Evening Primrose Seed Extract, PowderedAnticoagulant/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 Extract, Powdered + Alteplase, Tpa interactionAluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium HydroxideAscriptin Codeine #2
How Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide interacts with Evening Primrose — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Evening Primrose Seed Extract, PowderedAnticoagulant/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 Extract, Powdered + Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide interactionAluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Magnesium HydroxideAscriptin
How Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Magnesium Hydroxide interacts with Evening Primrose — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Evening Primrose Seed Extract, PowderedAnticoagulant/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 Extract, Powdered + Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Magnesium Hydroxide interactionAmitriptyline, PerphenazineEtrafon, Etrafon-A, Etrafon-Forte, Triavil
How Amitriptyline, Perphenazine interacts with Evening Primrose — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Evening Primrose Seed Extract, PowderedCytochrome 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 Extract, Powdered + Amitriptyline, Perphenazine interactionAnacaulase-bcdbNexoBrid
How Anacaulase-bcdb interacts with Evening Primrose — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Evening Primrose Seed Extract, PowderedAnticoagulant/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 Extract, Powdered + Anacaulase-bcdb interactionAnagrelideAgrylin
How Anagrelide interacts with Evening Primrose — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Evening Primrose Seed Extract, PowderedAnticoagulant/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 Extract, Powdered + Anagrelide interactionAnisindioneMiradon
How Anisindione interacts with Evening Primrose — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Evening Primrose Seed Extract, PowderedAnticoagulant/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 Extract, Powdered + Anisindione interactionAntithrombin IiiThrombate III
How Antithrombin Iii interacts with Evening Primrose — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Evening Primrose Seed Extract, PowderedAnticoagulant/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 Extract, Powdered + Antithrombin Iii interactionApixabanEliquis
How Apixaban interacts with Evening Primrose — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Evening Primrose Seed Extract, PowderedAnticoagulant/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 Extract, Powdered + Apixaban interactionArgatrobanArgatroban
How Argatroban interacts with Evening Primrose — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Evening Primrose Seed Extract, PowderedAnticoagulant/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 Extract, Powdered + Argatroban interactionAspirinAngettes 75, ASA, Asaphen, Aspirin, Caprin, Cartia +8 more
How Aspirin interacts with Evening Primrose — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Evening Primrose Seed Extract, PowderedAnticoagulant/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 Extract, Powdered + Aspirin interactionAspirin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium HydroxideAscriptin Codeine #3
How Aspirin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide interacts with Evening Primrose — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Evening Primrose Seed Extract, PowderedAnticoagulant/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 Extract, Powdered + Aspirin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide interactionAspirin, ButalbitalAxotal
How Aspirin, Butalbital interacts with Evening Primrose — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Evening Primrose Seed Extract, PowderedAnticoagulant/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 Extract, Powdered + Aspirin, Butalbital interactionAspirin, Butalbital, CaffeineFiorinal
How Aspirin, Butalbital, Caffeine interacts with Evening Primrose — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Evening Primrose Seed Extract, PowderedAnticoagulant/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 Extract, Powdered + Aspirin, Butalbital, Caffeine interactionAspirin, Butalbital, Caffeine, Codeine PhosphateFiorinal w/ Codeine
How Aspirin, Butalbital, Caffeine, Codeine Phosphate interacts with Evening Primrose — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Evening Primrose Seed Extract, PowderedAnticoagulant/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 Extract, Powdered + Aspirin, Butalbital, Caffeine, Codeine Phosphate interactionAspirin, Butalbital, Caffeine, PhenacetinMarnal
How Aspirin, Butalbital, Caffeine, Phenacetin interacts with Evening Primrose — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Evening Primrose Seed Extract, PowderedAnticoagulant/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 Extract, Powdered + Aspirin, Butalbital, Caffeine, Phenacetin interactionAspirin, CaffeineAnacin
How Aspirin, Caffeine interacts with Evening Primrose — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Evening Primrose Seed Extract, PowderedAnticoagulant/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 Extract, Powdered + Aspirin, Caffeine interactionAspirin, Caffeine, Codeine PhosphateAnacin w/ Codeine
How Aspirin, Caffeine, Codeine Phosphate interacts with Evening Primrose — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Evening Primrose Seed Extract, PowderedAnticoagulant/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 Extract, Powdered + Aspirin, Caffeine, Codeine Phosphate interactionAspirin, Caffeine, Dihydrocodeine BitartrateSynalgos DC
How Aspirin, Caffeine, Dihydrocodeine Bitartrate interacts with Evening Primrose — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Evening Primrose Seed Extract, PowderedAnticoagulant/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 Extract, Powdered + Aspirin, Caffeine, Dihydrocodeine Bitartrate interactionAspirin, Caffeine, Dover's PwdAcedoval, Dovacet
How Aspirin, Caffeine, Dover's Pwd interacts with Evening Primrose — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Evening Primrose Seed Extract, PowderedAnticoagulant/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 Extract, Powdered + Aspirin, Caffeine, Dover's Pwd interactionAspirin, Caffeine, HydrocodoneDamason-P
How Aspirin, Caffeine, Hydrocodone interacts with Evening Primrose — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Evening Primrose Seed Extract, PowderedAnticoagulant/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 Extract, Powdered + Aspirin, Caffeine, Hydrocodone interactionAspirin, Caffeine, Isobutylallylbarbituric Acid, PhenacetinLanorinal
How Aspirin, Caffeine, Isobutylallylbarbituric Acid, Phenacetin interacts with Evening Primrose — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Evening Primrose Seed Extract, PowderedAnticoagulant/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 Extract, Powdered + Aspirin, Caffeine, Isobutylallylbarbituric Acid, Phenacetin interactionEach ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects
For each ingredient in Evening Primrose 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 Extract, Powdered
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 Evening Primrose, from the product label.
Herbal Terra
See all Herbal Terra products- Name
- Herbal Terra LLC
- Phone Number
- +18083857868
- Web Address
- herbalterra.com
Evening Primrose by Herbal Terra: Common Questions
Does Evening Primrose by Herbal Terra interact with any medications?
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Where does this information come from?
Is evening primrose safe during pregnancy?
Can I take this if I'm breastfeeding?
What are the most common side effects?
How long have people taken evening primrose safely?
Does evening primrose work for asthma or acne?
Why does this product interact with so many medications?
Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy
Not sure if Evening Primrose 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 Evening Primrose’s Ingredients
Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.
Sources & How We Checked
Evening Primrose'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 33 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.
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.
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