Who should not take the evening primrose supplement?

Who Should Avoid Evening Primrose Supplements?
Evening primrose oil (EPO), derived from the seeds of the evening primrose plant, has gained popularity for its purported health benefits, particularly among women. However, while it may offer advantages for some, there are specific groups of individuals who should exercise caution or avoid this supplement altogether.
Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women
One of the primary groups advised against using evening primrose oil is pregnant women. The safety of EPO during pregnancy has not been thoroughly established, and there are concerns that it could potentially stimulate uterine contractions. Therefore, it is crucial for pregnant women to consult with their healthcare provider before considering this supplement. Similarly, while evening primrose oil is considered possibly safe during breastfeeding, it is still recommended that nursing mothers seek medical advice before use.
Children
Parents should also be cautious when it comes to giving evening primrose oil to children. The general guideline is to avoid administering any herbal or health supplements to children without prior consultation with a healthcare professional. This precaution is due to the lack of sufficient research on the safety and efficacy of EPO in pediatric populations.
Individuals with Certain Medical Conditions
People with specific medical conditions should also refrain from using evening primrose oil. Those with bleeding disorders or those taking anticoagulant medications should be particularly careful, as EPO may increase the risk of bleeding. Additionally, individuals with epilepsy or those prone to seizures should avoid EPO, as it may potentially exacerbate their condition.
Consultation with Healthcare Professionals
It is essential for anyone considering evening primrose oil to discuss its use with a healthcare professional. Supplements should be tailored to individual health needs, and a registered dietitian, pharmacist, or healthcare provider can help assess whether EPO is appropriate based on personal health history and current medications.
Conclusion
While evening primrose oil may offer benefits for some, it is not suitable for everyone. Pregnant and breastfeeding women, children, and individuals with certain medical conditions should approach this supplement with caution. Always consult a healthcare provider to ensure safety and appropriateness before starting any new supplement regimen.

Can you take evening primrose if you have high blood pressure?

Evening primrose oil may increase your risk of bleeding. Talk with your healthcare provider if you’re taking medication to lower your blood pressure. Evening primrose oil can increase your blood pressure. Talk to your healthcare provider if you’re taking the HIV medication lopinavir (Kaletra ).

What is bad about evening primrose oil?

Evening primrose oil may raise the risk of bleeding among people who take anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications. It may also raise the risk of seizures as well as serious nausea and vomiting for people taking a class of drugs known as phenothiazines.

What are the risks of taking evening primrose?

The most common side effects are gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, or diarrhea. If you take any type of medicine, talk with your health care provider before using evening primrose oil or other herbal products; some herbs and medicines interact in harmful ways.

What medications does evening primrose interfere with?

Possible interactions include:

• Anticoagulants and anti-platelet drugs, herbs and supplements. These types of drugs, herbs and supplements reduce blood clotting.
• Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates.
• Lopinavir and ritonavir (Kaletra).
• Phenothiazines.

What does evening primrose do for a woman’s body?

May Improve Some Menopause Symptoms
5 Menopause usually causes symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats. Evening primrose oil is a source of phytoestrogens, or compounds that mimic the effects of estrogen in the body. 6 It may be helpful for reducing menopause symptoms related to low estrogen.

Who cannot take evening primrose oil?

EPO may interact with some medications. If you take blood thinners, EPO may increase bleeding. EPO may potentially lower blood pressure, so do not take it if you take medications that lower blood pressure or blood thinners. EPO may also increase the effect of the HIV medication lopinavir.

Can evening primrose oil affect your heart?

Omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-6 PUFA) are well known for their role in cardiovascular disease (CVD). We proposed that Evening prime rose oil (EPO) can improve the outcome of a heart with myocardial infarction (MI) in the presence of diet-induced hyperaggregability.

What age should you stop taking evening primrose oil?

There is no official ‘upper limit’ for EPO, but the European Medicines Agency warns that children under 12 should not take it. You should also avoid taking EPO if you: Are on blood-thinning drugs like Warfarin – this is due to the fact EPO has blood-thinning effects.

What happens if you take evening primrose oil everyday?

When taken by mouth: Evening primrose oil is likely safe for most people when taken in doses up to 6 grams daily for up to 1 year. It might cause mild side effects including upset stomach, nausea, diarrhea, and headache in some people.

What medications does Evening Primrose interfere with?

Possible interactions include:

• Anticoagulants and anti-platelet drugs, herbs and supplements. These types of drugs, herbs and supplements reduce blood clotting.
• Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates.
• Lopinavir and ritonavir (Kaletra).
• Phenothiazines.