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What is the most important information I should know about evening primrose?

• have epilepsy or another seizure disorder;

• have schizophrenia; or

• are taking a phenothiazine medication including chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin, Permitil), mesoridazine (Serentil), perphenazine (Trilafon), prochlorperazine (Compazine), promethazine (Phenergan, Promethegan), thioridazine (Mellaril), trifluoperazine (Stelazine), or triflupromazine.

There may be an increased risk of seizures while taking evening primrose if you have either or the conditions, or are taking any of the medications listed above.

Evening primrose has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All potential risks and/or advantages of evening primrose may not be known. Additionally, there are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for these compounds. There have been instances where herbal/health supplements have been sold which were contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.

What is evening primrose?

The use of evening primrose in cultural and traditional settings may differ from concepts accepted by current Western medicine. When considering the use of herbal supplements, consultation with a primary health care professional is advisable. 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.

Evening primrose is also known as Oenothera biennis, oil of evening primrose (OEP, EPO), scabish, king's cureall, night willow herb, sun drop, and fever plant.

Evening primrose has been used in the treatment of heart and circulatory disease, breast disorders, premenstrual syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, Sjogren's syndrome, post-viral fatigue syndrome, asthma, diabetic neuropathy, eczema and other skin disorders, zinc deficiency, high cholesterol, and cancer.

Evening primrose has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All potential risks and/or advantages of evening primrose may not be known. Additionally, there are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for these compounds. There have been instances where herbal/health supplements have been sold which were 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 have uses other than those listed in this product guide.