Evening primrose oil
Place in Therapy
There is insufficient evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of evening primrose in the treatment of hot flushes in postmenopausal women. The current evidence has shown inconsistent benefits, and conclusions made thus far have only been drawn from poorly designed trials.[1,2] However, this natural health product has a favourable safety profile that is similar to placebo in two randomized control trials.[2,3] Evening primrose may be recommended as an alternative to other available therapies that have failed. Caution should be taken in those with seizure disorders, on antidepressants, and currently taking black cohosh and chasteberry, as the administration of evening primrose oil increases the risk of experiencing seizures.[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 Nguyen A. RxFiles: Herbal options for postmenopausal women. http://www.rxfiles.ca/rxfiles/uploads/documents/members/CHT-Postmenopausal-RxandHerbal.pdf. Updated October 2012. Accessed March 2, 2013.
3 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.
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 Nguyen A. RxFiles: Herbal options for postmenopausal women. http://www.rxfiles.ca/rxfiles/uploads/documents/members/CHT-Postmenopausal-RxandHerbal.pdf. Updated October 2012. Accessed March 2, 2013.
3 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.