evening primrose oil

What brand names are available for evening primrose oil?

Evening primrose oil, Common Evening Primrose, Fever plant, Sun drops

Is evening primrose oil available as a generic drug?

Yes

Do I need a prescription for evening primrose oil?

No

What are the side effects of evening primrose oil?

Side effects of Oenothera include:

Other side effects include:

What is the dosage for evening primrose oil?

(dosing recommmendations may vary with supplier):

Which drugs or supplements interact with evening primrose oil?

Oenothera should be used with caution with medications that increase bruising and bleeding risks. Medications like aspirin, celecoxib (Celebrex), ibuprofen (Motrin), diclofenac (Voltaren), meloxicam (Mobic), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), warfarin (Coumadin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), and clopidogrel (Plavix) should be used with caution with Oenothera.

QUESTION

What is cholesterol? See Answer

Is evening primrose oil safe to take if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?

There are no adequate studies of Oenothera use by pregnant women to determine its safety during pregnancy. It should be avoided by pregnant women.

It is not known whether Oenothera enters breast milk.

What else should I know about evening primrose oil?

What preparations of evening primrose oil are available?

Oenothera is available in capsules, softgels, and liquid extract forms. Concentration of Oenothera may vary from product-to-product due to multiple manufacturers producing various products.

How should I keep evening primrose oil stored?

Because multiple manufacturers make different forms of Oenothera, storage requirements may vary based on individual manufacturer practices.

Summary

Oenothera (Evening primrose oil, Fever plant, Sun drops) is an herbal supplement used for its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects. Side effects, drug interactions, dosage, storage, and safety information should be reviewed prior to taking this supplement.

Treatment & Diagnosis

Medications & Supplements

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Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

References
Oenothera – Medscape

Evening Primrose Oil. Medline Plus