evening primrose oil
Patient Counselling
- Evening primrose oil contains an omega-6 essential fatty acid called gamma-linolenic acid. It is thought that PMS symptoms may be caused by a deficiency in fatty acids.
- Despite claims, evidence suggests that evening primrose is not effective in the treatment of PMS symptoms.
- Patients should only use evening primrose oil as a last resort if first line treatments and if the patient desires to use a natural health product.
- Evening primrose oil is available as a 500mg or 1000mg capsule with varying amounts of linoleic acid and γ-linoleic acid.
- There is no current recommended dose of evening primrose although most studies have used doses of 3-8g (4.32g linoleic acid and 0.54 γ-linoleic acid) which requires approximately 6-12 capsules per day.
- Take 6-8 capsules per day in divided doses with food or drink.
- Evening primrose oil is generally considered safe to use. The most common side effects include: nausea, diarrhea, flatulence, bloating and vomiting.
- Evening primrose should be avoided in patients with bleeding disorders, surgery (increased risk of bleeding), history of seizures, schizophrenia (concomitant with phenothiazines), hypersensitivity to evening primrose, and in pregnancy and lactation (no safety data available)
References
1. Natural Standard: The authority on integrative medicine. Evening primrose oil (Oenothera biennis L.). Professional Monograph. http://www.naturalstandard.com. Accessed July 16, 2013.
2. Micromedex 2.0. 2013. Evening Primrose Oil. Truven Health Analytics. Online resource: http://www.micromedexsolutions.com. Accessed July 16, 2013.
3. Stevinson C and Ernst E. Complementary/alternative therapies for premenstrual syndrome: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. AJOG 2001; 185(1): 227-234.
4. Whelan AM, Jurgens TM and Naylor H. Herbs, vitamins and minerals in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome: a systematic review. Can J Clin Pharmacol 2009; 16(3):e407-e429.
5. Puolakka J, Makarainen L, Viinikka L and Ylikorkala O. Biochemical and clinical effects of treating the premenstrual syndrome with prostaglandin synthesis precursors. The Journal of Reproductive Medicine. 1985; 30(3): 149-153.
- Despite claims, evidence suggests that evening primrose is not effective in the treatment of PMS symptoms.
- Patients should only use evening primrose oil as a last resort if first line treatments and if the patient desires to use a natural health product.
- Evening primrose oil is available as a 500mg or 1000mg capsule with varying amounts of linoleic acid and γ-linoleic acid.
- There is no current recommended dose of evening primrose although most studies have used doses of 3-8g (4.32g linoleic acid and 0.54 γ-linoleic acid) which requires approximately 6-12 capsules per day.
- Take 6-8 capsules per day in divided doses with food or drink.
- Evening primrose oil is generally considered safe to use. The most common side effects include: nausea, diarrhea, flatulence, bloating and vomiting.
- Evening primrose should be avoided in patients with bleeding disorders, surgery (increased risk of bleeding), history of seizures, schizophrenia (concomitant with phenothiazines), hypersensitivity to evening primrose, and in pregnancy and lactation (no safety data available)
References
1. Natural Standard: The authority on integrative medicine. Evening primrose oil (Oenothera biennis L.). Professional Monograph. http://www.naturalstandard.com. Accessed July 16, 2013.
2. Micromedex 2.0. 2013. Evening Primrose Oil. Truven Health Analytics. Online resource: http://www.micromedexsolutions.com. Accessed July 16, 2013.
3. Stevinson C and Ernst E. Complementary/alternative therapies for premenstrual syndrome: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. AJOG 2001; 185(1): 227-234.
4. Whelan AM, Jurgens TM and Naylor H. Herbs, vitamins and minerals in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome: a systematic review. Can J Clin Pharmacol 2009; 16(3):e407-e429.
5. Puolakka J, Makarainen L, Viinikka L and Ylikorkala O. Biochemical and clinical effects of treating the premenstrual syndrome with prostaglandin synthesis precursors. The Journal of Reproductive Medicine. 1985; 30(3): 149-153.