The active ingredients of evening primrose oil are two types of omega-6 fatty acids: linoleic acid and gamma-linolenic acid. Your body needs these essential acids to perform everyday functions, and limited research suggests they may have health benefits, too, but since your body can't make linoleic acid or gamma-linolenic acid, you have to get it from supplements and your diet. As with any herbal remedy, it's wise to check with your health care provider before adding evening primrose oil to your health care routine---while evening primrose oil is generally safe, it does come with potential side effects.
Seizures
According to MedlinePlus, the online health information resource maintained by the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, some people who use evening primrose oil experience seizures. People who have seizure disorders or who take medications for mental illness, such as chlorpromazine, thioridazine or fluphenazine, may be especially prone to seizures if they use evening primrose oil. People planning surgery that requires anesthesia should stop using evening primrose oil at least two weeks before their surgery date because anesthetics seem to increase the risk of evening primrose oil-related seizures.
Stomach Problems
Occasionally, people who use evening primrose oil report stomach issues, including nausea, stomach pain and loose stools, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). These symptoms are often an indication that you're taking too high a dose of evening primrose oil, and lowering your dosage may make the discomfort subside. UMMC recommends limiting your intake to 2 to 8 g of evening primrose oil every day unless your doctor suggests increasing your dosage.
Other Possible Side Effects
Some people who use evening primrose oil report experiencing headaches as a side effect, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. According to MedlinePlus, evening primrose oil may also decrease blood pressure, though studies considering this have been inconclusive. Because insufficient studies exist to determine its safety, pregnant or breast-feeding women should avoid using evening primrose oil.
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