Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Maxi Premium EFA Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Maxi Health

Maxi Premium EFA label
See full label image
Liquid Category: Other Combinations
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 Maxi Premium EFA 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

Maxi Premium EFA is a dietary supplement by Maxi Health with 5 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for general antioxidant support, skin and hair care, heart health.Based on those ingredients, 948 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Vitamin E, Evening Primrose Seed Oil, Borage Seed 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 Maxi Premium EFA by Maxi Health

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Maxi Premium EFA by Maxi Health — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Maxi Premium EFA by Maxi Health

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 11, 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 5 of its 5 active ingredients.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

Maxi Premium EFA is a liquid supplement with five active ingredients. Vitamin E supports normal clotting and cell health and is established as effective for vitamin E deficiency and a rare condition called AVED (ataxia with vitamin E deficiency).

Sunflower seed oil, borage seed oil, and evening primrose oil are all rich in fatty acids; sunflower oil and borage oil show some promise for cholesterol and heart health, though the evidence remains preliminary. Extra virgin olive oil is included as a carrier and food source.

These ingredients work together as essential fatty acids (EFAs)—fats your body cannot make on its own and must obtain from diet or supplements.

Does it work?

Moderate evidence
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
Moderate

Some clinical evidence supports this product's ingredients for its stated purpose, but it isn't conclusive.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: Essential fatty acids for total wellness.
  • We looked for evidence on: Atopic dermatitis (eczema), Cardiovascular disease (CVD), Coronary heart disease (CHD), Hypercholesterolemia, Hyperlipidemia, Hypertension — and 4 related terms.
  • The strongest evidence on file: Sunflower Oil is rated "Possibly Effective" for Coronary heart disease (CHD) (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Sunflower Oil is rated "Possibly Effective" for Hypercholesterolemia.
  • Also on file: Vitamin E is rated "Possibly Effective" for Dysmenorrhea.

The evidence for what this product can do is mixed. Vitamin E is effective for treating vitamin E deficiency, and possibly effective for Alzheimer's disease, beta-thalassemia, and a few other conditions.

Sunflower oil appears possibly effective for high cholesterol and heart disease. Borage oil and evening primrose oil have not shown clear benefit for the conditions they're often promoted for—in fact, borage oil is rated possibly ineffective for eczema, and evening primrose is likely ineffective for breast pain and possibly ineffective for asthma.

For olive oil and several uses of the other oils, we hold insufficient evidence to rate them.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Vitamin E Sunflower Oil Olive Borage Evening Primrose

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 5 of the 5 matched ingredients.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 5 of 5.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 5 of 5.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Vitamin E from food and standard dietary amounts is safe, but high-dose long-term supplements carry caution: they may raise bleeding risk and, rarely, increase the chance of stroke. Sunflower seed oil is generally well-tolerated in normal food amounts; anyone with ragweed or related plant allergies should be aware of a possible reaction, though it's uncommon.

Borage seed oil appears well-tolerated short-term but comes with caution: the product should be certified free of hepatotoxic alkaloids (liver-toxic compounds), and borage oil is considered unsafe in pregnancy. Evening primrose oil is generally well-tolerated short-term, though long-term safety data are limited.

The most common side effects across these oils are mild digestive—bloating, diarrhea, nausea, stomach upset. Rarely, evening primrose has been linked to skin rash and, in one case, petechiae (tiny bruises) in a newborn.

Safety data for extra virgin olive oil are not on file, though olive oil as food is very safe.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Vitamin E Sunflower Oil Olive Borage Evening Primrose

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?
  • 4 of the 5 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Sunflower Oil, Borage, Vitamin E, Evening Primrose.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; immunosuppressants / transplant drugs; cancer treatments; diabetes medications; lithium.
  • For scale: 949 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 your medications against this product, especially if you take blood thinners such as warfarin, aspirin, or clopidogrel (Plavix); cancer drugs like cyclophosphamide or doxorubicin; diabetes medications; lithium; phenothiazines (antipsychotics such as chlorpromazine); cyclosporine; lopinavir/ritonavir; or niacin. These are the drug types with documented Moderate interactions.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with some supporting evidence for its stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

This is an essential fatty acid blend that may appeal to people looking to support heart health or supplement dietary fats. If you take blood thinners, any psychiatric medication, diabetes drugs, lithium, cyclosporine, or cancer drugs, you should check with your pharmacist first.

Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals should talk to their doctor about borage oil and evening primrose oil before using. Because this product has a large number of documented drug interactions, checking your specific medications is important.

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

Assessment coverage: 5 of 5 active ingredients 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

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Maxi Premium EFA, straight from the product label.

Brand Maxi Health
Barcode (UPC) 753406152025
Net contents 2 Fluid Ounce(s); 60 Milliliter(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Feb 23, 2025
DSLD ID 323796
Product type Other Combinations
Supplement form Liquid
Dietary claims / uses Nutrient, All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Vegetarian, Adult (18 - 50 Years), Kosher, Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Sugar 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 Maxi Premium EFA by Maxi Health, 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 mL
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 mL
Servings per container
60
UPC/BARCODE
753406152025
IngredientAmount% DV
Calories7 Kcal--
Calories from Fat7 Kcal--
Total Fat1 Gram(s)1%
Vitamin E67 mg447%
Sunflower Seed Oil124 mg--
Extra Virgin Olive Oil385 mg--
Borage Seed Oil124 mg--
Evening Primrose Seed Oil124 mg--

Other ingredients: Rosemary Oil

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.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Directions: Take one (1) ml daily, or as directed.

Storage

Refrigerate after opening. Store tightly closed in a cool, dry place.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Formulation

This product was manufactured in a GMP Certified facility.

Cold pressed Total wellness

This product contains no animal products, wheat, gluten, yeast, salt, sugar, milk, corn, artificial flavors, colorings or preservatives.

Women's health Immune boost Hair skin & nails

Vegetarian

Seals/Symbols

Manufactured in a Certified GMP facility UK (Rav Shmuel Dovid Krausz (Udvarer Rav)) (Kosher)

General Statements

Doctor Formulated

For better health and all

Formula

Essential fatty acids

Certified Kosher UK (Rav Shmuel Dovid Krausz (Udvarer Rav)) (Kosher)

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Brand IP Statement(s)

MaxiHealth True to total wellness

Precautions

Contains soy.

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

See for yourself

Maxi Premium EFA by Maxi Health label

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

Maxi Premium EFA 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 Maxi Premium EFA by Maxi Health

These are the 5 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 mL Dosage formLiquid Servings per container60 Amounts shown are per serving.

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

Vitamin E

Interacts with
764 drugs
67 mg per serving Form: Vitamin E Acetate

Vitamin E is an essential fat-soluble vitamin and antioxidant that most people get in adequate amounts from a normal diet. Supplements can help correc...

Vitamin E monograph & interactions

Sunflower Seed Oil

Interacts with
86 drugs
124 mg per serving

Sunflower oil is a common edible vegetable oil rich in unsaturated fats and vitamin E that most people can use safely as part of a normal diet. As a f...

Sunflower Seed Oil monograph & interactions

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

No known
interactions
385 mg per serving

Olive comes from the same tree that gives us olives and olive oil, and its leaf and fruit contain antioxidant compounds like oleuropein and hydroxytyr...

Extra Virgin Olive Oil monograph & interactions

Borage Seed Oil

Interacts with
226 drugs
124 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 Seed Oil monograph & interactions

Evening Primrose Seed Oil

Interacts with
233 drugs
124 mg per serving

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

Other (inactive) ingredients: Rosemary Oil. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Maxi Premium EFA by Maxi Health Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Maxi Premium EFA?

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
948Drugs
914 Moderate 34 Minor

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Vitamin E 764
Evening Primrose Seed Oil 233
Borage Seed Oil 226
Sunflower Seed Oil 86

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Maxi Premium EFA interact with 948 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

4 of the 5 ingredients in Maxi Premium EFA interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Vitamin E Evening Primrose Seed Oil Borage Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Maxi Premium EFA with known interactions, here are the types of medications they can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Vitamin E8 drug types · 764 drugs

Alkylating Agents

Theoretically, antioxidant effects of vitamin E might reduce the effectiveness of alkylating agents.
There's concern that antioxidants could reduce the activity of chemotherapy drugs which generate free radicals, such as cyclophosphamide, chlorambucil, carmustine, busulfan, and thiotepa. However, some researchers theorize that antioxidants might make chemotherapy more effective by reducing oxidative stress that might interfere with apoptosis (cell death) of cancer cells. More evidence is needed to determine what effect, if any, antioxidants such as vitamin E have on chemotherapy. Advise patients to consult their oncologist before using vitamin E supplements, especially in high doses.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Concomitant use of vitamin E and anticoagulant or antiplatelet agents might increase the risk of bleeding.
Vitamin E seems to inhibit of platelet aggregation and antagonize the effects of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors. These effects appear to be dose-dependent, and are probably only likely to be clinically significant with doses of at least 800 units daily. Mixed tocopherols, such as those found in food, might have a greater antiplatelet effect than alpha-tocopherol. RRR alpha-tocopherol (natural vitamin E) 1000 IU daily antagonizes vitamin K-dependent clotting factors. Advise patients to avoid high doses of vitamin E, especially in people with low vitamin K intake or other risk factors for bleeding.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Antitumor Antibiotics

Theoretically, antioxidant effects of vitamin E might reduce the effectiveness of antitumor antibiotics.
There's concern that antioxidants could reduce the activity of antitumor antibiotic drugs such as doxorubicin, which generate free radicals. However, some researchers theorize that antioxidants might make chemotherapy more effective by reducing oxidative stress that might interfere with apoptosis (cell death) of cancer cells. More evidence is needed to determine what effect, if any, antioxidants such as vitamin E have on chemotherapy involving antitumor antibiotics. Advise patients to consult their oncologist before using vitamin E supplements, especially in high doses.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune)

A specific form of vitamin E might increase absorption and levels of cyclosporine.
There is some evidence that one specific formulation of vitamin E (D-alpha-tocopheryl-polyethylene glycol-1000 succinate, TPGS, tocophersolan, Liqui-E) might increase absorption of cyclosporine. This vitamin E formulation forms micelles which seems to increase absorption of cyclosporine by 40% to 72% in some patients. However, this interaction is unlikely to occur with the usual forms of vitamin E.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence B
Cytochrome P450 3A4 (Cyp3A4) Substrates

Theoretically, vitamin E might induce metabolism of CYP3A4, possibly reducing the levels CYP3A4 substrates.
Vitamin E appears to bind with the nuclear receptor, pregnane X receptor (PXR), which results in increased expression of CYP3A4. Although the clinical significance of this is not known, use caution when considering concomitant use of vitamin E and other drugs affected by these enzymes.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Selumetinib (Koselugo)

Taking selumetinib with vitamin E can result in a total daily dose of vitamin E that exceeds safe limits and therefore might increase the risk of bleeding.
Selumetinib contains 48-54 IU vitamin E per capsule. The increased risk of bleeding with vitamin E appears to be dose-dependent. Be cautious when using selumetinib in combination with supplemental vitamin E, especially in patients at higher risk of bleed, such as those with chronic conditions and those taking antiplatelet drugs.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Warfarin (Coumadin)

Using vitamin E with warfarin might increase the risk of bleeding.
Due to interference with production of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors, use of more than 400 IU of vitamin E daily with warfarin might increase prothrombin time (PT), INR, and the risk of bleeding,. At a dose of 1000 IU per day, vitamin E can antagonize vitamin K-dependent clotting factors even in people not taking warfarin. Limited clinical evidence suggests that doses up to 1200 IU daily may be used safely by patients taking warfarin, but this may not be applicable in all patient populations.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Niacin

Vitamin E might decrease the beneficial effects of niacin on high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels.
A combination of niacin and simvastatin (Zocor) effectively raises high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels in people with coronary disease and low HDL levels. Clinical research shows that taking a combination of antioxidants (vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, and selenium) along with niacin and simvastatin (Zocor) attenuates this rise in HDL, specifically the HDL-2 and apolipoprotein A1 fractions, by more than 50%. Vitamin E alone combined with a statin does not seem to decrease HDL levels. It is not known whether the adverse effect on HDL is due to one of the other antioxidants or to the combination. It also is not known whether it will occur in other patient populations.

Likelihood Possible Evidence A
Vitamin E full monograph & interactions

Evening Primrose Seed Oil5 drug types · 233 drugs

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.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
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.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
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.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
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.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
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.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Evening Primrose Seed Oil full monograph & interactions

Borage Seed 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 Seed Oil full monograph & interactions

Sunflower Seed Oil1 drug type · 86 drugs

Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, sunflower oil might decrease the effectiveness of antidiabetes medications.
A diet using sunflower oil as a fat source can cause increased fasting blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. Dose adjustments to diabetes medications might be necessary.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Sunflower Seed Oil full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Maxi Premium EFA, from the product label.

Maxi Health

See all Maxi Health products
Name
Maxi Health
City
Brooklyn
State
N.Y.
Phone Number
800-544-6294
Web Address
www.maxihealth.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Maxi Premium EFA by Maxi Health: Common Questions

Does Maxi Premium EFA by Maxi Health interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Maxi Premium EFA has a known interaction with 948 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Maxi Premium EFA contains 5 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.
Does this product have any ingredients I should avoid if I'm taking blood thinners?
Yes. Vitamin E, borage seed oil, and evening primrose oil all carry Moderate-severity interactions with blood thinners—they can increase bleeding risk. Talk to your pharmacist before taking this product if you're on warfarin, aspirin, or other anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs.
Can I take this if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
Sunflower seed oil is likely safe in pregnancy and lactation. However, borage seed oil is considered unsafe in pregnancy due to possible liver-toxic compounds and theoretical uterine risks. Evening primrose oil should be avoided unless your doctor specifically directs it. For vitamin E and olive oil, we don't have safety data on file, so ask your doctor.
What are the most common side effects?
The oils in this product—borage, evening primrose, and sunflower—can cause mild digestive upset: bloating, diarrhea, belching, nausea, or stomach discomfort. These tend to be mild and don't happen to everyone.
Is vitamin E in this product effective for anything?
Yes. Vitamin E is effective for vitamin E deficiency and a rare genetic condition called AVED. It's possibly effective for Alzheimer's disease and beta-thalassemia, though the evidence is preliminary.
Will this help my cholesterol or heart health?
Sunflower oil and borage oil show some promise for cholesterol and coronary heart disease, though the evidence remains limited. For the other ingredients, we either hold insufficient evidence or the ratings suggest they're not likely to help with those goals.
Can I take this if I have a ragweed allergy?
Sunflower seed oil can theoretically trigger a reaction in people with ragweed or related plant allergies, though actual allergic reactions are uncommon because sunflower oil is very low in protein. If you have a severe allergy, discuss it with your pharmacist first.

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.

Maxi Premium EFA label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Maxi Premium EFA’s Ingredients

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

Herb & supplement monograph

Vitamin E

Interacts with 764 drugs

Vitamin E is an essential fat-soluble vitamin and antioxidant that most people get in adequate amounts from a normal diet. Supplements can help correct a true deficiency, but high-dose vitam...

Read the full Vitamin E monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Sunflower Oil

Interacts with 86 drugs

Sunflower oil is a common edible vegetable oil rich in unsaturated fats and vitamin E that most people can use safely as part of a normal diet. As a food it is generally regarded as safe, an...

Read the full Sunflower Oil monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Olive

Olive comes from the same tree that gives us olives and olive oil, and its leaf and fruit contain antioxidant compounds like oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol. Olive oil as part of a Mediterrane...

Read the full Olive monograph → 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 → Herb & supplement monograph

Evening Primrose

Interacts with 233 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 breast pain. The evidence behind most of th...

Read the full Evening Primrose monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Maxi Premium EFA'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 112 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.

Vitamin E 64 references
  1. Kim JM, White RH. Effect of vitamin E on the anticoagulant response to warfarin. Am J Cardiol 1996;77:545-6. PubMed
  2. Corrigan JJ Jr. The effect of vitamin E on warfarin-induced vitamin K deficiency. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1982;393:361-8. PubMed
  3. Corrigan JJ Jr. Coagulation problems relating to vitamin E. Am J Pediatr Hematol Oncol 1979;1:169-73.
  4. Corrigan JJ Jr, Marcus FI. Coagulopathy associated with vitamin E ingestion. JAMA 1974;230:1300-1. DOI
  5. Labriola D, Livingston R. Possible interactions between dietary antioxidants and chemotherapy. Oncology 1999;13:1003-8.
  6. Chang T, Benet LZ, Hebert MF. The effect of water-soluble vitamin E on cyclosporine pharmacokinetics in healthy volunteers. Clin Pharmacol Ther 1996;59:297-303. PubMed
  7. Pan SH, Lopez RR Jr, Sher LS, et al. Enhanced oral cyclosporine absorption with water-soluble vitamin E early after liver transplantation. Pharmacother 1996;16:59-65. DOI
  8. Anon. Dietary supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E after myocardial infarction: results of the GISSI-Prevenzione trial. Gruppo Italiano per lo Studio della Soprawivenza nell'Infarto miocardico. Lancet 1999;354:447-55. DOI
  9. Chappell LC, Seed PT, Briley AL, et al. Effect of antioxidants on the occurrence of pre-eclampsia in women at increased risk: a randomised trial. Lancet 1999;354:810-6. DOI
  10. Yusuf S, Dagenais G, Pogue J, et al. Vitamin E supplementation and cardiovascular events in high-risk patients. The heart outcomes prevention evaluation study investigators. N Engl J Med 2000;342:154-60. PubMed
  11. Stephens NG, Parsons A, Schofield PM, et al. Randomised controlled trial of vitamin E in patients with coronary disease: Cambridge Heart Antioxidant Study. Lancet 1996;347:781-6.
  12. The Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta Carotene Cancer Prevention Study Group. The effect of vitamin E and beta carotene on the incidence of lung cancer and other cancers in male smokers. N Engl J Med 1994;330:1029-35. PubMed
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Sunflower Oil 2 references
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Evening Primrose 33 references
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