The Total EFA Ingredients & Drug Interactions
What is this page for?
First and foremost: checking The Total 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 Total EFA is a dietary supplement by Health From The Sun with 6 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for eczema and dry skin, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation.Based on those ingredients, 312 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are organic Borage seed oil, Oleic Acid. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.
Check Your Meds Against The Total EFA by Health From The Sun
Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with The Total EFA by Health From The Sun — 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 The Total EFA by Health From The Sun
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
The Total EFA contains 6 active ingredients — all essential fatty acids and oils. You're getting gamma-linolenic acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid, and alpha-linolenic acid alongside organic flaxseed oil and organic borage seed oil.
These are the omega fatty acids your body needs but can't make on its own; they support heart, brain, and skin health. The product also contains an antioxidant blend as an inactive ingredient to keep the oils from spoiling.
Does it work?
Moderate evidence
Oleic acid is possibly effective for high cholesterol and coronary heart disease, based on the data we hold. Borage seed oil shows insufficient evidence for ADHD and acute respiratory distress syndrome, and it's rated possibly ineffective for atopic dermatitis (eczema).
The evidence isn't established for the other active ingredients in our data.
How safe is it?
Well-documented data
Oleic acid from foods is generally recognized as safe, but concentrated supplement doses haven't been well studied during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Borage seed oil is generally well tolerated when taken by mouth — the most common side effects are belching, bloating, diarrhea, and soft stools.
However, borage plant parts (leaf, flower, and seed itself) can contain liver-toxic compounds called pyrrolizidine alkaloids. This product specifies borage seed oil, which contains little to none of these toxins, but the safety data advises against borage during pregnancy because of the theoretical risk.
We don't hold pregnancy or breastfeeding safety data for the other ingredients.
Meds to double-check
Moderate interaction found
Check before you start if you take antidiabetes drugs (blood sugar medication), anticoagulants or antiplatelets (blood thinners or aspirin), phenothiazines (antipsychotic medications), or CYP3A4 inducers — all carry documented interactions with ingredients in this product. No interactions are documented for the other ingredients we could check.
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 product is a source of essential fatty acids and may be helpful if you're interested in heart and cholesterol support. If you take diabetes medication, blood thinners, antipsychotics, or any CYP3A4-inducing drugs, check your specific medications with the tool on this page before starting.
Talk to your pharmacist if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or have liver concerns.
Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI
Assessment coverage: 2 of 6 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Jun 25, 2014.
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 The Total EFA, straight from the product label.
| Brand | Health From The Sun |
|---|---|
| Barcode (UPC) | 010043050955 |
| Net contents | 8 fl. Oz.; 236 mL |
| Market status | On market |
| Date entered into DSLD | Jun 25, 2014 |
| DSLD ID | 34312 |
| Product type | Botanical With Nutrients |
| Supplement form | Liquid |
| Dietary claims / uses | All Other |
| Intended target group(s) | Vegetarian, Adult (18 - 50 Years), Organic |
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 The Total EFA by Health From The Sun, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.
Supplement Facts
| Ingredient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 130 {Calories} | -- |
| Calories from Fat | 120 {Calories} | -- |
| Total Fat | 14 Gram(s) | 22% |
| Saturated Fat | 1.5 Gram(s) | 8% |
| Gamma-Linolenic Acid | 290 mg | -- |
| Linoleic Acid | 2300 mg | -- |
| Oleic Acid | 1700 mg | -- |
| Alpha-Linolenic Acid | 5800 mg | -- |
| Organic Flaxseed Oil and Particulate | 12.2 Gram(s) | -- |
| organic Borage seed oil | 1400 mg | -- |
| Organic Evening Primrose Seed Oil | 580 mg | -- |
Other ingredients: Antioxidant Blend
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.
Seals/Symbols
USDA ORGANIC
CERTIFIED ORGANIC
General Statements
OMEGA 3-6-9
Together, these potent plant oils supply an optimal fatty acid profile, intended to provide nutritional support for heat, brain and whole body health in just one tablespoon per serving.
This product is shelf stable until opened.
WHOLE BODY NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT
Keep your licensed health care practitioner informed when using this product.
Rigorously quality tested to guarantee purity, potency and truth-in-labeling.
Product of Canada
FDA Statement of Identity
DIETARY SUPPLEMENT
Formulation
ORGANIC
VEGETARIAN
Certified Organic by Pro-Cert
Formula
FLAX~BORAGE~EVENING PRIMROSE
The Total EFA(TM) is of certified organic flax, borage and evening primrose oils.
with Flax Lignans
OMEGA-3 5,800 MG GLA 290 MG
Brand IP Statement(s)
The superior flavor and freshness of the Total EFA(TM) is preserved with a special antioxidant blend and nitrogen-flushed, induction-sealed bottle. Enjoy The Total EFA(TM) by the spoonful or add to smoothies, dips or dressings for easy omega nutrition
Discussion: The Total EFA(TM) 100% vegetarian liquid is a comprehensive, purity plant-based omega-3-6-9 nutritional supplement, fortified with lignan-rich flax particulate.
(C)2011
Precautions
WARNING: Do not use if safety seal is broken or missing.
Keep out of reach of children.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions
Directions: Use only as directed. Take one tablespoon daily with a meal or as directed by your health care practitioner. Shake well before each use.
Storage
Refrigerate after opening.
General
5031956 1011
Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.
The Total EFA by Health From The Sun 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 The Total EFA by Health From The Sun
These are the 6 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.
Serving size1 tsp Dosage formLiquid Servings per container15 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.
Organic Flaxseed Oil and Particulate
Organic Borage seed oil
Interacts with226 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 arth...
Organic Borage seed oil monograph & interactionsOrganic Evening Primrose Seed Oil
- › Gamma-Linolenic Acid
- › Linoleic Acid
- › Oleic Acid
- › Alpha-Linolenic Acid
Other (inactive) ingredients: Antioxidant Blend. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.
The Total EFA by Health From The Sun Drug Interactions
HelloPharmacist Interaction Report
The Total EFA by Health From The Sun does contain ingredients with documented interactions.
Oleic acid may increase the effects of antidiabetes drugs — preliminary research shows that a diet rich in oleic acid lowers fasting blood sugar levels compared to other oils, so if you take medication for diabetes (oral blood sugar–lowering drugs), your levels might drop further.
Read the full breakdown — every affected drug type, severity by severity
Borage seed oil carries several documented interactions. It may increase bleeding risk if you're on blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs (like aspirin or warfarin).
There's also concern that borage seed oil might lower your seizure threshold if you take phenothiazines (antipsychotic medications). Additionally, if you take drugs that induce CYP3A4 — a liver enzyme — borage may theoretically increase harmful metabolites, though this mainly applies to borage plant parts other than the seed oil itself.
We could not check three other ingredients in this product: gamma-linolenic acid, linoleic acid, and alpha-linolenic acid. The last ingredient listed as a separate item, organic evening primrose seed oil, is a blend whose components are listed individually above.
Altogether, these interactions span 309 individual medications. Use the medication checker on this page to search your exact drugs before you start.
Check your own medications below · Editorial policy · How we use AI
Want to check YOUR meds against The Total 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 checkerIngredients driving the most interactions
Individual Drug Interactions
The ingredients in The Total EFA interact with 312 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.
2 of the 6 ingredients in The Total EFA interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. organic Borage seed oil Oleic Acid
AbciximabReoPro
How Abciximab interacts with The Total EFA — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Borage Seed OilAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, borage seed oil may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Organic Borage Seed Oil + Abciximab interactionAbrocitinibCibinqo
How Abrocitinib interacts with The Total EFA — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Borage Seed OilAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, borage seed oil may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Organic Borage Seed Oil + Abrocitinib interactionAcarboseGlucobay, Prandase, Precose
How Acarbose interacts with The Total EFA — 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 The Total EFA — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Borage Seed OilAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, borage seed oil may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Organic Borage Seed Oil + Acenocoumarol interactionAcepromazineAtravet
How Acepromazine interacts with The Total EFA — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Borage Seed OilPhenothiazines Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking borage sed oil with phenothiazines might increase the risk of seizures.
Read the full Organic Borage Seed Oil + Acepromazine interactionAcetaminophen, AspirinGemnisyn
How Acetaminophen, Aspirin interacts with The Total EFA — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Borage Seed OilAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, borage seed oil may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Organic Borage Seed Oil + Acetaminophen, Aspirin interactionAcetaminophen, Aspirin, CaffeineExcedrin, Excedrin Extra Strength, Excedrin Migraine
How Acetaminophen, Aspirin, Caffeine interacts with The Total EFA — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Borage Seed OilAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, borage seed oil may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Organic Borage Seed Oil + Acetaminophen, Aspirin, Caffeine interactionAcetaminophen, IbuprofenCombogesic
How Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen interacts with The Total EFA — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Borage Seed OilAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, borage seed oil may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Organic Borage Seed Oil + Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen interactionAcetohexamideDymelor
How Acetohexamide interacts with The Total EFA — 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 The Total EFA — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Borage Seed OilAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, borage seed oil may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Organic Borage Seed Oil + Acetylsalicylic Acid interactionAlbiglutideTanzeum
How Albiglutide interacts with The Total EFA — 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 The Total EFA — 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 The Total EFA — 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 The Total EFA — 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 The Total EFA — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Borage Seed OilAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, borage seed oil may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Organic Borage Seed Oil + Alteplase, Tpa interactionAluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium HydroxideAscriptin Codeine #2
How Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide interacts with The Total EFA — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Borage Seed OilAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, borage seed oil may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Organic Borage Seed Oil + Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide interactionAluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Magnesium HydroxideAscriptin
How Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Magnesium Hydroxide interacts with The Total EFA — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Borage Seed OilAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, borage seed oil may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Organic Borage Seed Oil + Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Magnesium Hydroxide interactionAminoglutethimideCytadren
How Aminoglutethimide interacts with The Total EFA — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Borage Seed OilCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Inducers Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking borage with drugs that induce CYP3A4 might increase levels of pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA) toxic metabolites.
Read the full Organic Borage Seed Oil + Aminoglutethimide interactionAmitriptyline, PerphenazineEtrafon, Etrafon-A, Etrafon-Forte, Triavil
How Amitriptyline, Perphenazine interacts with The Total EFA — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Borage Seed OilPhenothiazines Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking borage sed oil with phenothiazines might increase the risk of seizures.
Read the full Organic Borage Seed Oil + Amitriptyline, Perphenazine interactionAmoxicillin, Omeprazole Magnesium, RifabutinTalicia
How Amoxicillin, Omeprazole Magnesium, Rifabutin interacts with The Total EFA — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Borage Seed OilCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Inducers Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking borage with drugs that induce CYP3A4 might increase levels of pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA) toxic metabolites.
Read the full Organic Borage Seed Oil + Amoxicillin, Omeprazole Magnesium, Rifabutin interactionAnacaulase-bcdbNexoBrid
How Anacaulase-bcdb interacts with The Total EFA — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Borage Seed OilAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, borage seed oil may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Organic Borage Seed Oil + Anacaulase-bcdb interactionAnagrelideAgrylin
How Anagrelide interacts with The Total EFA — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Borage Seed OilAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, borage seed oil may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Organic Borage Seed Oil + Anagrelide interactionAnisindioneMiradon
How Anisindione interacts with The Total EFA — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Borage Seed OilAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, borage seed oil may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Organic Borage Seed Oil + Anisindione interactionAntidiabetes, Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 (dpp-iv) InhibitorGlyxambi
How Antidiabetes, Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 (dpp-iv) Inhibitor interacts with The Total EFA — 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 The Total EFA — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Borage Seed OilAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, borage seed oil may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Organic Borage Seed Oil + Antithrombin Iii interactionApalutamideErleada
How Apalutamide interacts with The Total EFA — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Borage Seed OilCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Inducers Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking borage with drugs that induce CYP3A4 might increase levels of pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA) toxic metabolites.
Read the full Organic Borage Seed Oil + Apalutamide interactionApixabanEliquis
How Apixaban interacts with The Total EFA — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Borage Seed OilAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, borage seed oil may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Organic Borage Seed Oil + Apixaban interactionAprepitantCinvanti, Emend
How Aprepitant interacts with The Total EFA — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Borage Seed OilCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Inducers Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking borage with drugs that induce CYP3A4 might increase levels of pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA) toxic metabolites.
Read the full Organic Borage Seed Oil + Aprepitant interactionAprobarbital, Butabarbital, PhenobarbitalTriple Barbital
How Aprobarbital, Butabarbital, Phenobarbital interacts with The Total EFA — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Borage Seed OilCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Inducers Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking borage with drugs that induce CYP3A4 might increase levels of pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA) toxic metabolites.
Read the full Organic Borage Seed Oil + Aprobarbital, Butabarbital, Phenobarbital interactionAprocitentanTryvio
How Aprocitentan interacts with The Total EFA — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Borage Seed OilCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Inducers Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking borage with drugs that induce CYP3A4 might increase levels of pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA) toxic metabolites.
Read the full Organic Borage Seed Oil + Aprocitentan interactionEach ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects
For each ingredient in The Total 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.
organic Borage seed oil
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.
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.
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.
Oleic Acid
Antidiabetes Drugs
Theoretically, oleic acid might increase the effects of antidiabetes drugs. Preliminary clinical research in patients with type 2 diabetes taking oral hypoglycemic drugs shows that eating a diet rich in oleic acid from olive oil decreases fasting blood glucose levels when compared to eating a diet rich in linoleic acid from sunflower oil. It is unknown if taking oleic acid supplements would have this effect or if this change is clinically significant. Until more is known, use caution. Dose adjustment may be necessary. Some antidiabetes drugs include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, metformin (Glucophage), pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), and others.
Brand information
Manufacturer and brand details for The Total EFA, from the product label.
Health From The Sun
See all Health From The Sun products- Name
- Nutraceutical Corp.
- Web Address
- www.nutraceutical.com
The Total EFA by Health From The Sun: Common Questions
Does The Total EFA by Health From The Sun interact with any medications?
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Where does this information come from?
Can I take this if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
Will this help my cholesterol or heart health?
What are the most common side effects?
Why is this called 'essential' fatty acids?
Is this product safe if I have liver problems?
Should I take this on an empty stomach?
Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy
Not sure if The Total EFA 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 The Total EFA’s Ingredients
Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.
Borage
Interacts with 226 drugsBorage 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 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
The Total 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.
- 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 30 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 19 references
- 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
- Gillingham, L. G., Gustafson, J. A., Han, S. Y., Jassal, D. S., and Jones, P. J. High-oleic rapeseed (canola) and flaxseed oils modulate serum lipids and inflammatory biomarkers in hypercholesterolaemic subjects. Br J Nutr 2011;105(3):417-427. PubMed
- Jones PJ, Senanayake VK, Pu S, Jenkins DJ, Connelly PW, Lamarche B, Couture P, Charest A, Baril-Gravel L, West SG, Liu X, Fleming JA, McCrea CE, Kris-Etherton PM. DHA-enriched high-oleic acid canola oil improves lipid profile and lowers predicted cardiova
- Cater, N. B., Heller, H. J., and Denke, M. A. Comparison of the effects of medium-chain triacylglycerols, palm oil, and high oleic acid sunflower oil on plasma triacylglycerol fatty acids and lipid and lipoprotein concentrations in humans. Am.J Clin.Nutr PubMed
- Mozaffarian D, Clarke R. Quantitative effects on cardiovascular risk factors and coronary heart disease risk of replacing partially hydrogenated vegetable oils with other fats and oils. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2009;63(Suppl 2):S22-33. PubMed
- Cao Y, Hou L, Wang W. Dietary total fat and fatty acids intake, serum fatty acids and risk of breast cancer: A meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. Int J Cancer. 2016;138(8):1894-904. doi: 10.1002/ijc.29938. PubMed
- FDA completes review of qualified health claim petition for oleic acid and the risk of coronary heart disease. November 2018. Available at: www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/ConstituentUpdates/ucm624758.htm. Accessed January 25, 2019.
- Liu X, Kris-Etherton PM, West SG, et al. Effects of canola and high-oleic-acid canola oils on abdominal fat mass in individuals with central obesity. Obesity. 2016;24(11):2261-2268. PubMed
- Bowen KJ, Kris-Etherton PM, West SG, et al. Diets enriched with conventional or high-oleic acid canola oils lower atherogenic lipids and lipoproteins compared to a diet with a western fatty acid profile in adults with central adiposity. J Nutr. 2019;149(3 PubMed
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