Evening primrose grows throughout the United States and Canada, and it is a traditional herbal memory for upset stomach and respiratory tract infections. Oil in the seeds is high in the essential omega-6 fatty acid gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), a substance that reduces inflammation in the body, as explained by the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). People with certain health conditions may not be able to take evening primrose safely.
Seizure Risk
Supplements containing GLA can make seizures more likely in people with a seizure disorder, according to the UMMC. Additionally, anyone taking phenothiazine antipsychotic medications along with evening primrose may be at risk for seizures due to interactions between the two substances. Some patients undergoing anesthesia while taking evening primrose oil have developed seizures, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH). The NIH recommends discontinuing evening primrose oil use two weeks before any scheduled surgical procedure requiring anesthesia.
Bleeding Risk
Evening primrose oil may inhibit blood platelet aggregation, which allows effective clotting. Therefore, the UMMC recommends that this supplement not be used in people with a bleeding disorder or those at risk for increased bleeding, including people taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, as well as those taking anticoagulant and anti-platelet medications, and herbs with blood-thinning effects, such as ginkgo biloba.
Pregnancy Considerations
Pregnant women should not consume evening primrose oil because it increases the risk of complications, according to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC). The Center reports on an infant with blood leaking into the skin from ruptured blood vessels after the mother used evening primrose oil orally and vaginally a week before childbirth. Taking evening primrose oil while breastfeeding is considered safe, according to the UMMC, because breast milk also contains omega-6 fatty acids, including GLA.
Allergies
Although unlikely, some people may experience an allergic or hypersensitive reaction to evening primrose oil. Anyone with an allergy or other negative reactions to plants in the Onagraceae family, or to any components of evening primrose oil, should not use this supplement. Signs of an allergic reaction include a rash or hives, difficulty breathing, and facial or mouth swelling. An allergic reaction to evening primrose should be considered a medical emergency.
Drug Interactions
Evening primrose oil can increase or decrease the effects of several types of medications, so anyone taking these drugs should consult with their physician before taking evening primrose. Evening primrose is contraindicated for individuals taking medications for high blood pressure, arthritis and gastrointestinal disorders, as well as anti-neoplastic agents, antidepressants, anti-obesity drugs, stimulants, antiviral medications, neurological agents and drugs metabolized by the liver, such as statins, which lower cholesterol.
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