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Dietary supplement

GLA-240 as Borage Oil Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Metabolic Maintenance

GLA-240 as Borage Oil label
See full label image
Softgel Capsule Category: Botanical With Nutrients
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 16, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking GLA-240 as Borage Oil 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

The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

GLA-240 as Borage Oil is a dietary supplement by Metabolic Maintenance with 2 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for eczema and dry skin, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation.Based on those ingredients, 226 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Borage Oil. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

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Check Your Meds Against GLA-240 as Borage Oil by Metabolic Maintenance

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with GLA-240 as Borage Oil by Metabolic Maintenance — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of GLA-240 as Borage Oil by Metabolic Maintenance

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

Generated from HelloPharmacist’s pharmacist-curated databases and editorial rules · Last generated Jul 30, 2026

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.

GLA-240 contains two active ingredients: gamma-linolenic acid and borage oil, a rich source of that same fatty acid. The product also includes inactive ingredients — gelatin, glycerin, and water — that form the softgel capsule.

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 Borage product and its label doesn't state a use — see Borage'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 borage oil in this product is thin. It's rated possibly ineffective for atopic dermatitis (eczema).

For other uses we hold data on — ADHD, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and alcoholism — there isn't reliable evidence yet to say whether it works.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Borage

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.

Borage seed oil is generally well tolerated, with the main side effects being mild digestive upset: belching, bloating, diarrhea, and soft stools. The real caution here is that borage also contains liver-toxic alkaloids (pyrrolizidine alkaloids) in some plant parts — though borage seed oil itself contains little to none.

Because pregnancy and lactation are rated likely unsafe due to those alkaloids and possible effects on the uterus, this product should be avoided if you're pregnant or nursing.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Borage

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 — Borage.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs.
  • For scale: 227 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.

Before taking this product, check with your doctor or pharmacist if you take blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs (such as warfarin or aspirin), antipsychotic medications (phenothiazines), or drugs that induce the liver enzyme CYP3A4. These are the medication types with documented interactions.

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.

If you're not on blood thinners, antipsychotics, or certain liver enzyme-inducing drugs, borage oil is generally easy on the stomach. That said, the evidence it actually works for common uses like eczema is weak.

Before you start, check your full medication list with your doctor or pharmacist, and definitely avoid it if you're pregnant or breastfeeding.

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 Aug 23, 2013.

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 GLA-240 as Borage Oil, straight from the product label.

Brand Metabolic Maintenance
Barcode (UPC) 838287006220
Net contents 180 Softgel(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Aug 23, 2013
DSLD ID 24861
Product type Botanical With Nutrients
Supplement form Softgel Capsule
Dietary claims / uses Nutrient, All Other
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years)
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 GLA-240 as Borage Oil by Metabolic Maintenance, 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:
3 Softgel(s)
UPC/BARCODE
838287006220
IngredientAmount% DV
Calories9 {Calories}--
Calories from Fat9 {Calories}--
Gamma-Linolenic Acid200 mg--
Total Fat1 Gram(s)2%
Borage Oil1000 mg--

Other ingredients: Gelatin, Glycerin, Water

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.
General Statements

622001A EXP 1/12

SPECIALTY PRODUCT

V-04

FDA Statement of Identity

DIETARY SUPPLEMENT

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

DIRECTIONS: One to three (1-3) softgels daily with meals as a dietary supplement, or as directed by a Doctor.

Formula

Borage Oil contains the highest GLA content of any readily available seed oil.

Formulation

Each preservative-free softgel capsule contains the active ingredients listed on the label.

Storage

STORAGE: Keep tightly closed in a dry place; do not expose to excessive heat.

Precautions

KEEP OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN.

Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.

See for yourself

GLA-240 as Borage Oil by Metabolic Maintenance label

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

GLA-240 as Borage Oil label

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)
What’s inside

The Ingredients in GLA-240 as Borage Oil by Metabolic Maintenance

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 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

200 mg per serving

Borage Oil

Interacts with
226 drugs
1000 mg per serving

Borage is a Mediterranean herb whose seed oil is rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an omega-6 fatty acid studied mostly for skin conditions and arth...

Borage Oil monograph & interactions

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

Interaction report

GLA-240 as Borage Oil by Metabolic Maintenance Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against GLA-240 as Borage 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
226Drugs
226 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Borage Oil 226

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in GLA-240 as Borage Oil interact with 226 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 2 ingredients in GLA-240 as Borage Oil interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Borage Oil

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in GLA-240 as Borage 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.

Borage Oil3 drug types · 226 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, borage seed oil may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
In healthy individuals, borage seed oil supplementation does not seem to affect platelet aggregation. However, gamma-linolenic acid, a constituent of borage seed oil, seems to decrease platelet aggregation by 45% and increase the risk of bleeding by 40% in animal and clinical research.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Cytochrome P450 3A4 (Cyp3A4) Inducers

Theoretically, taking borage with drugs that induce CYP3A4 might increase levels of pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA) toxic metabolites.
Although borage seed oil contains little to no PAs, some borage plant parts, such as the leaf, flower, and seed, can contain hepatotoxic PAs. Hepatotoxic PAs are substrates of CYP3A4, which converts these chemicals into toxic metabolites. Tell patients to avoid borage preparations that are not certified and labeled as hepatotoxic PA-free.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Phenothiazines

Theoretically, taking borage sed oil with phenothiazines might increase the risk of seizures.
Borage seed oil contains gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). There is concern that taking supplements containing GLA might cause seizures, or lower the seizure threshold, when taken with phenothiazines. This is based on limited data from two reports published in the 1980s. In one report, three patients with schizophrenia who had received phenothiazines developed EEG changes suggestive of temporal lobe epilepsy after starting treatment with evening primrose, another source of GLA. However, none experienced an actual seizure. In the other report, two patients with schizophrenia who were stabilized on phenothiazines developed seizures when evening primrose 4 grams daily was added. One of these patients had a prior history of seizures. It is unclear whether evening primrose had any additive epileptogenic effects with the phenothiazines, but there is no evidence that taking GLA-containing supplements alone can cause seizures.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Borage Oil full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for GLA-240 as Borage Oil, from the product label.

Metabolic Maintenance

See all Metabolic Maintenance products
Name
Metabolic Maintenance Products
City
Sisters
State
Oregon
ZipCode
97759
Web Address
www.metabolicmaintenance.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

GLA-240 as Borage Oil by Metabolic Maintenance: Common Questions

Does GLA-240 as Borage Oil by Metabolic Maintenance interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, GLA-240 as Borage Oil has a known interaction with 226 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
GLA-240 as Borage 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 borage oil if I'm pregnant or nursing?
No — the safety data advises against it during pregnancy and lactation due to possible liver-toxic alkaloids and a theoretical risk to the uterus. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking this product if you're pregnant, nursing, or planning to become pregnant.
What side effects might I notice?
Most people experience mild digestive effects: belching, bloating, diarrhea, and soft stools. Serious liver damage from alkaloid toxins is rare but possible — it's why choosing a product certified free of pyrrolizidine alkaloids is important.
Will this help my eczema?
The evidence doesn't support it. Borage oil is rated possibly ineffective for atopic dermatitis (eczema), so there's no strong reason to expect it to work.
Why does the product matter if borage seed oil has little to no of those toxic alkaloids?
Because this product is seed oil — which contains minimal alkaloids — you're already on the safer side. Just make sure the bottle says it's certified free of pyrrolizidine alkaloids to be extra sure.
What's gamma-linolenic acid?
It's a fatty acid naturally found in borage oil that's the active ingredient in this product. We couldn't check it for medication interactions — we hold no data on it — but it's the compound borage oil is valued for.

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

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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.

GLA-240 as Borage Oil label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind GLA-240 as Borage Oil’s Ingredients

Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.

Herb & supplement monograph

Borage

Interacts with 226 drugs

Borage is a Mediterranean herb whose seed oil is rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an omega-6 fatty acid studied mostly for skin conditions and arthritis with mixed results. The plant's le...

Read the full Borage monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

GLA-240 as Borage 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 11 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.

Borage 11 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. WHO working group. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Environmental Health Criteria, 80. WHO: Geneva, 1988.
  3. Fan YY, Chapkin RS. Importance of dietary gamma-linolenic acid in human health and nutrition. J Nutr 1998;128:1411-4.
  4. Takwale A, Tan E, Agarwal S, et al. Efficacy and tolerability of borage oil in adults and children with atopic eczema: randomised, double blind, placebo controlled, parallel group trial. BMJ 2003;327:1385. PubMed
  5. Chojkier M. Hepatic sinusoidal-obstruction syndrome: toxicity of pyrrolizidine alkaloids. J Hepatol 2003;39:437-46. PubMed
  6. Roeder E. Medicinal plants in Europe containing pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Pharmazie 1995;50:83-98.
  7. Wang YP, Yan J, Fu PP, Chou MW. Human liver microsomal reduction of pyrrolizidine alkaloid N-oxides to form the corresponding carcinogenic parent alkaloid. Toxicol Lett 2005;155:411-20. PubMed
  8. Holman CP and Bell AF. A trial of evening primrose oil in the treatment of chronic schizophrenia. J Orhtomolecular Psych 1983;12:302-304.
  9. 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
  10. Bard, J. M., Luc, G., Jude, B., Bordet, J. C., Lacroix, B., Bonte, J. P., Parra, H. J., and Duriez, P. A therapeutic dosage (3 g/day) of borage oil supplementation has no effect on platelet aggregation in healthy volunteers. Fundam.Clin.Pharmacol. 1997;1
  11. 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 Borage 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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