Evening Primrose Oil
Evening primrose is a plant native to North and South America that also grows throughout Europe and parts of Asia. Evening Primrose Oil is used for Atopic dermatitis (a type of eczema), Breast pain and Starting labor at the end of pregnancy.
Also called: Eveprim (Philippines)
Pronunciation: pronunciation varies by local usage.
- Generic name
- evening primrose oil
- Drug class
- Herbal/dietary supplement; oil from evening primrose seeds containing omega-6 fatty acids, including gamma-linolenic acid (GLA)
- Form
- Dietary supplement products; may also be included in products applied to the skin. No dose or product form is specified by these sources.
- Route
- Oral (by mouth); also applied to the skin and used vaginally (as described in the source)
- Legal status
- Marketed as a dietary supplement in the United States; dietary supplements are not approved by the US FDA before they are sold to the public
Availability and supply rules vary by country
Trade names by country: India
Australia: · Full directory
What evening primrose oil is and how it works
Evening primrose is a plant native to North and South America that also grows throughout Europe and parts of Asia. It has yellow flowers that open at sunset and close during the day. The oil from evening primrose seeds contains omega-6 fatty acids, including gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). Today, evening primrose oil dietary supplements are promoted for atopic dermatitis (a type of eczema), rheumatoid arthritis, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), breast pain, menopause symptoms, and other conditions. Evening primrose oil may also be included in products that are applied to the skin, and it has been used orally (by mouth) or vaginally to attempt to get labor started at the end of pregnancy. (1)
According to the NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, there's not enough evidence to support the use of evening primrose oil for any health condition. A substantial number of studies in people have evaluated evening primrose oil for atopic dermatitis or breast pain or for starting labor; less evidence is available on other potential uses. 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.
Mechanism of action: how evening primrose oil works
The oil from evening primrose seeds contains omega-6 fatty acids, including gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). GLA is an omega-6 fatty acid found in the oils from some plants, including evening primrose (Oenothera biennis), borage (Borago officinalis), and black currant (Ribes nigrum). It has been suggested that evening primrose oil might affect labor by increasing the production of substances called prostaglandins, but studies for this purpose have had inconsistent results. (1) (2)
What is Evening primrose oil used for?
Atopic dermatitis (a type of eczema)
Evening primrose oil, taken orally, has not been shown to be helpful for relieving symptoms of atopic dermatitis. There's not enough evidence to support its use for any health condition. (1)
Breast pain
Evening primrose oil is probably not more effective than a placebo (an inactive substance) for breast pain. (1)
Starting labor at the end of pregnancy
It has been suggested that evening primrose oil might help to get labor started at the end of pregnancy by increasing the production of substances called prostaglandins. However, studies that have tested evening primrose oil, administered either orally or vaginally, for this purpose have had inconsistent results. The reported side effects of using evening primrose oil to try to get labor started have mostly been mild, but the long-term safety of using evening primrose oil in this way has not been established. (1)
Rheumatoid arthritis
There's insufficient evidence to show whether evening primrose oil is helpful for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. Oils containing GLA may have some benefit in relieving RA symptoms; however, only a few studies have been conducted on each of the oils. (1) (2)
PMS and menopause symptoms
There's insufficient evidence to show whether evening primrose oil is helpful for other conditions, such as premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and menopause symptoms. (1)
Before taking evening primrose oil
Do not take / not appropriate for
- No specific contraindications are documented in the sources used for this page. NCCIH does not name any condition in which evening primrose oil must not be used. Discuss with your health care provider before starting use. (all products) (1)
Tell your clinician about
- 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.
- Tell your health care provider about any herbal medicines you are taking.
- If you are thinking about using an herbal medicine, first get information on it from reliable sources.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: evening primrose oil may be safe for use during pregnancy and while breastfeeding, but the evidence is not conclusive.
- Long-term safety of using evening primrose oil to try to get labor started has not been established.
- Safety in children is less known.
Evening primrose oil dosage and how to take it
- The sources used for this page do not provide a dose, schedule, or administration instruction for evening primrose oil. Do not use a dose from another source; ask your health care provider or pharmacist.
- Evening primrose oil dietary supplements are promoted for several conditions; the same source states there's not enough evidence to support the use of evening primrose oil for any health condition.
- Talk with your health care provider before using evening primrose oil or other herbal products, especially if you take any type of medicine.
Procedures and treatment changes
Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (1) (2) (3)
Missed dose
The sources used for this page do not provide missed-dose instructions for evening primrose oil. Do not take an extra dose or change your use without advice from your health care provider or pharmacist.
Overdose
The sources used for this page do not provide overdose amounts or overdose management for evening primrose oil. If you are concerned about possible overdose or a reaction, contact your health care provider, a poison-information service, or emergency services promptly. (1)
Evening primrose oil side effects
Evening primrose oil is probably safe for most adults when taken orally. Less is known about its safety for children. Evening primrose oil is generally well tolerated.
Gastrointestinal symptoms
What to notice: The most common side effects are gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, or diarrhea.
What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with your health care provider. Do not stop or change any prescribed medicine yourself. (1)
Possible interaction or new symptom
What to notice: Any new or worsening symptom while using evening primrose oil, especially if you take any type of medicine.
What to do: Contact your health care provider promptly for assessment. (1) (3)
Serious warnings
Interaction with medicines — serious
Symptoms: Some herbs and medicines interact in harmful ways. If you take any type of medicine, talk with your health care provider before using evening primrose oil or other herbal products.
Action: Talk with your health care provider before use and tell them about all medicines and herbal medicines you take. (1) (3)
Use to start labor at the end of pregnancy — caution
Symptoms: Reported side effects of using evening primrose oil to try to get labor started have mostly been mild, but the long-term safety of using evening primrose oil in this way has not been established.
Action: Discuss this with your health care provider; the evidence is not conclusive and long-term safety has not been established. (1)
Children — caution
Symptoms: Less is known about the safety of evening primrose oil for children.
Action: Ask a health care provider before giving evening primrose oil to a child. (1)
Interactions
| Medicine or test | Effect | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Any type of medicine (prescription or over-the-counter) | Some herbs and medicines interact in harmful ways. | If you take any type of medicine, talk with your health care provider before using evening primrose oil or other herbal products. (1) |
| Other herbal medicines or dietary supplements | Some herbs can interact with prescription or over-the-counter medicines. Herbal medicines are one type of dietary supplement. Many people believe that products labeled "natural" are always safe and good for them; this is not necessarily true. | Tell your health care provider about any herbal medicines you are taking and get information on it from reliable sources before use. (3) |
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age
Children
Less is known about the safety of evening primrose oil for children. (1)
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Evening primrose oil may be safe for use during pregnancy and while breastfeeding, but the evidence is not conclusive. Taking evening primrose oil during breastfeeding increases the concentration of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) in breast milk but has not been linked to harmful effects in the infant. The long-term safety of using evening primrose oil to try to get labor started has not been established. (1)
Monitoring
Before starting
- If you are thinking about using an herbal medicine, first get information on it from reliable sources.
- If you take any type of medicine, talk with your health care provider before using evening primrose oil or other herbal products.
- Tell your health care provider about any herbal medicines you are taking.
- Take charge of your health—talk with your health care providers about any complementary health approaches you use. Together, you can make shared, well-informed decisions.
During treatment
- The sources used for this page do not provide specific monitoring requirements for evening primrose oil.
- Report any new or worsening symptoms, or concerns about interactions with your medicines, to your health care provider.
Storage
The sources used for this page do not provide storage instructions for evening primrose oil. Follow the storage directions on the specific product label, and ask your pharmacist if you are unsure.
Professional information
Clinician-facing context only. Use current reliable supplement and clinical references. The sources used for this page state that there's not enough evidence to support the use of evening primrose oil for any health condition, and do not provide dosing, contraindications, or overdose amounts.
United States
Indication: Any evening primrose oil use
Dose summary: No dose is displayed. The sources used for this page do not provide a dose, schedule, or administration instruction for evening primrose oil. Dietary supplements are not approved by the US FDA for safety or effectiveness before sale.
Renal context: Not established by the sources used for this page. (1) (3)
Hepatic guidance
Not established by the sources used for this page.
Overdose note
The sources used for this page do not provide overdose amounts or management. Concerns about possible overdose should be directed to a health care provider, poison-information service, or emergency services. (1) (2)
Frequently asked questions
Is evening primrose oil effective for any health condition?
According to the NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, there's not enough evidence to support the use of evening primrose oil for any health condition. Evening primrose oil, taken orally, has not been shown to be helpful for relieving symptoms of atopic dermatitis. It is probably not more effective than a placebo for breast pain. There's insufficient evidence for other conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, PMS, and menopause symptoms. (1)
Is evening primrose oil safe?
Evening primrose oil is probably safe for most adults when taken orally and is generally well tolerated. The most common side effects are gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, or diarrhea. Less is known about its safety for children. Pregnancy and breastfeeding evidence is not conclusive. (1)
Can evening primrose oil interact with my medicines?
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. (1) (3)
Can evening primrose oil help start labor at the end of pregnancy?
It has been suggested that evening primrose oil might help to get labor started by increasing the production of prostaglandins. However, studies testing evening primrose oil, administered either orally or vaginally, for this purpose have had inconsistent results, the reported side effects have mostly been mild, and the long-term safety of using it in this way has not been established. Discuss with your health care provider. (1)
Are dietary supplements like evening primrose oil approved by the FDA before sale?
No. Unlike drugs, dietary supplements are not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before they are sold to the public. The rules for making and distributing dietary supplements are less strict than those for drugs. When public health concerns arise about the safety of a dietary supplement or an ingredient including an herb, the FDA can take action to protect the public. (1) (3)
What is the mechanism of action of evening primrose oil?
The oil from evening primrose seeds contains omega-6 fatty acids, including gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). GLA is an omega-6 fatty acid found in the oils from some plants, including evening primrose (Oenothera biennis), borage (Borago officinalis), and black currant (Ribes nigrum). It has been suggested that evening primrose oil might affect labor by increasing the production of substances called prostaglandins, but studies for this purpose have had inconsistent results. (1) (2)
References
- Evening Primrose Oil: Usefulness and SafetyNIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health · United States · dated 2024-11 · accessed 2026-10-13 · source 1
- Rheumatoid Arthritis: In DepthNIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health · United States · dated 2019-01 · accessed 2026-10-13 · source 2
- Herbal MedicineMedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine · United States · accessed 2026-10-13 · source 3
Brand names by country
Single-ingredient evening primrose oil names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.
Priority countries
India
- Primosa 1000capsule · 1000 mg · Geltec Private Limitedpharmacy source recorded
- Primosa 500capsule · 500 mg · Geltec Private Limitedpharmacy source recorded
- Efem 1000softgel capsule · 1000 mg · Innovcare Lifesciences Pvt Ltdpharmacy source recorded
- Biotrex Evening Primrose Oilcapsule · 1000 mg · Biotrex Nutraceuticalspharmacy source recorded
- Briyo Evening Primrose Oilcapsule · 1000 mg · Briyosis Soft Caps Pvt. Ltd.pharmacy source recorded
- Nature's Velvet Evening Primrose Oilcapsule · 1000 mg · Sahasra Yogam Softgelpharmacy source recorded
- Neat Evening Primrose Oilcapsule · 1000 mg · Mangalam Global Enterprise Limitedpharmacy source recorded
- Inlife Evening Primrose Oilcapsule · not stated on listing · Nutragracepharmacy source recorded
- Deve Herbes Pure Evening Primrose Oiloil · 15 mL, 30 mL, 50 mL, 100 mL · Deve Herbespharmacy source recorded
- Nutriosys Evening Primrose Oilcapsule · not stated on listing · Biotrex Nutraceuticalspharmacy source recorded
View brands in additional countries.
Philippines
Eveprim