Evening Primrose

Generic Name: evening primrose (EVE ning PRIM rose)Brand Names: Evening Primrose, Evening Primrose Oil, Primrose Oil

What is Evening Primrose (evening primrose)?

Evening primrose is a flowering plant also known as Oenothera biennis, scabish, king's cureall, night willow herb, sun drop, and fever plant.

Evening primrose has been used in alternative medicine as an aid in treating heart disease, high cholesterol, circulation problems, premenstrual syndrome, endometriosis, breast pain, certain symptoms of menopause, eczema, psoriasis, acne, osteoporosis, and multiple sclerosis. It has also been used in cancer, Alzheimer's disease, asthma, diabetes, hyperactivity, and stomach or intestinal disorders.

Not all uses for evening primrose have been approved by the FDA. Evening primrose should not be substituted for medications prescribed for you by your doctor.

Evening primrose is often sold as an herbal supplement. There are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for many herbal compounds and some marketed supplements have been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.

Evening primrose may also be used for other purposes not listed in this product guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Evening Primrose (evening primrose)?Do not take evening primrose without the advice of a doctor if you have epilepsy or a seizure disorder, schizophrenia, a bleeding disorder, or if you are taking blood thinners or an antipsychotic medication. Not all uses for evening primrose have been approved by the FDA. Evening primrose should not be substituted for medications prescribed for you by your doctor.

Evening primrose is often sold as an herbal supplement. There are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for many herbal compounds and some marketed supplements have been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.

Use evening primrose as directed on the label, or as your healthcare provider has prescribed. Do not use this product in larger amounts or for longer than recommended.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Evening Primrose (evening primrose)?You should not use this product if you are allergic to evening primrose. Do not take evening primrose without the advice of a doctor if you have:

• epilepsy or a seizure disorder;

• schizophrenia;

• a bleeding or blood-clotting disorder; or

• if you plan to have any type of surgery.

It is not known whether evening primrose is harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use this product without talking to a healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether evening primrose passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Ask your healthcare provider before using evening primrose if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without the advice of a doctor.

How should I take Evening Primrose (evening primrose)?

When considering the use of herbal supplements, seek the advice of your doctor. You may also consider consulting a practitioner who is trained in the use of herbal/health supplements.

If you choose to take evening primrose, use it as directed on the package or as directed by your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider. Do not use more of evening primrose than is recommended on the label.

Do not use different formulations of evening primrose at the same time without first talking to your healthcare provider. Using different formulations together increases the risk of an evening primrose overdose.

If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using evening primrose. Evening primrose may increase the risk of bleeding, and you may need to stop taking this product for at least 2 weeks before surgery.

If your condition does not improve, or if it appears to get worse, contact your doctor.

Store evening primrose as directed on the package.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Consult your doctor, pharmacist, herbalist, or other healthcare provider for instructions if you miss a dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this product.

An overdose of evening primrose is not expected to produce life-threatening side effects.

What should I avoid while taking Evening Primrose (evening primrose)?

Follow your healthcare provider's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

Evening Primrose (evening primrose) side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop taking evening primrose and call your healthcare provider at once if you have a seizure (convulsions).

Less serious side effects are more likely to occur, and you may have none at all.

Talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care professional about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Evening Primrose (evening primrose)?

Do not take evening primrose without the advice of a healthcare provider if you are using any of the following medications:

• a blood thinner such as heparin, dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), or warfarin (Coumadin);

• clopidogrel (Plavix);

• aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), etodolac (Lodine), indomethacin (Indocin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), meloxicam (Mobic), piroxicam (Feldene), and others; or

• medicines used to treat psychiatric disorders, such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Permitil, Prolixin), perphenazine (Trilafon), prochlorperazine (Compazine, Compro), promethazine (Pentazine, Phenergan, Phenadoz, Promethegan), thioridazine (Mellaril), or trifluoperazine (Stelazine).

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with evening primrose. Tell your healthcare provider about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your healthcare provider.

Where can I get more information?

• Your doctor, pharmacist, herbalist, or other healthcare provider may have more information about evening primrose.

• Consultation with a licensed health care professional is advisable before using any herbal/health supplement. Additionally, consultation with a practitioner trained in the uses of herbal/health supplements may be beneficial and coordination of treatment among all health care providers involved may be advantageous. Remember, keep this and all other prescription drug products, over-the-counter drug products, and herbal/health supplements out of the reach of children.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2006 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 3.01. Revision Date: 08/06/2009 2:42:01 PM.