evening primrose oil
Patient Counselling
How does it work?
Evening primrose oil contains an ingredient that increases the release of prostaglandin, which helps increase hormones that improve hot flushes.[1]
When do I take it?
It can be taken at any time during the day, but try to take it the same time each day.[1]
Take it with or without food. Evening primrose oil may be taken with food if it causes upset stomach.[1]
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember.[1] If it is close to the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose as scheduled. Do not take 2 doses at once.
What are some side effects that I should be aware of?
Headache, abdominal pain, nausea, and loose stools are common side effects.[1] Evening primrose oil may lower blood pressure and some reports of seizures can occur.5 However, no significant adverse events occur when compared to placebo in primary literature.[2,3,4]
Who should not take evening primrose oil?
If you allergic to plants of the Onagraceae family, gamma-linolenic acid, or hypersensitive to evening primrose oil you should not take evening primrose oil.[1]
References:
1 Natural Standard: The authority on integrative medicine. Evening primrose oil (Oenothera biennis L.). Professional Monograph. http://www.naturalstandard.com.proxy.lib.uwaterloo.ca/databases/herbssupplements/primrose.asp. Accessed Marc 2, 2013.
2 Chenoy R, Hussain S, Taybob Y, O’Brien PMS, Moss MY, Morse PF. Effect of oral gamolenic acid from evening primrose oil on menopausal flushing. BMJ. 1994;308 : 501-3.
3 Cancelo Hidalgo MJ, Castelo-Branco C, Blumel JE, Lanchares Perez JL, Alvarex JI. Effect of a compound containing isoflavones, primrose oil and vitamin E in two different doses on climacteric symptoms. J Obstet Gynaecol. 2006;26(4) : 344-7.
4 Santoro NF, Clarkson TB, Freedman RR, Fugh-Berman AJ, Loprinzi CL, Reame NK, et al. Position Statement: Treatment of menopause-associated vasomotor symptoms: position statement of The North American Menopause Society. Menopause. 2004;11(1) : 11-33.
Evening primrose oil contains an ingredient that increases the release of prostaglandin, which helps increase hormones that improve hot flushes.[1]
When do I take it?
It can be taken at any time during the day, but try to take it the same time each day.[1]
Take it with or without food. Evening primrose oil may be taken with food if it causes upset stomach.[1]
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember.[1] If it is close to the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose as scheduled. Do not take 2 doses at once.
What are some side effects that I should be aware of?
Headache, abdominal pain, nausea, and loose stools are common side effects.[1] Evening primrose oil may lower blood pressure and some reports of seizures can occur.5 However, no significant adverse events occur when compared to placebo in primary literature.[2,3,4]
Who should not take evening primrose oil?
If you allergic to plants of the Onagraceae family, gamma-linolenic acid, or hypersensitive to evening primrose oil you should not take evening primrose oil.[1]
References:
1 Natural Standard: The authority on integrative medicine. Evening primrose oil (Oenothera biennis L.). Professional Monograph. http://www.naturalstandard.com.proxy.lib.uwaterloo.ca/databases/herbssupplements/primrose.asp. Accessed Marc 2, 2013.
2 Chenoy R, Hussain S, Taybob Y, O’Brien PMS, Moss MY, Morse PF. Effect of oral gamolenic acid from evening primrose oil on menopausal flushing. BMJ. 1994;308 : 501-3.
3 Cancelo Hidalgo MJ, Castelo-Branco C, Blumel JE, Lanchares Perez JL, Alvarex JI. Effect of a compound containing isoflavones, primrose oil and vitamin E in two different doses on climacteric symptoms. J Obstet Gynaecol. 2006;26(4) : 344-7.
4 Santoro NF, Clarkson TB, Freedman RR, Fugh-Berman AJ, Loprinzi CL, Reame NK, et al. Position Statement: Treatment of menopause-associated vasomotor symptoms: position statement of The North American Menopause Society. Menopause. 2004;11(1) : 11-33.