Evening primrose oil (EPO) is is an extremely popular supplement these days. It is said to help against PMS, hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms, nerve pain caused by diabetes, and breast pain, to name a few.

But what is the best way to take EPO for optimal results? When should you take it and how?

When to Take Evening Primrose Oil, Morning or Night?

Evening primrose oil can be taken both in the morning or at night. It does not really matter. If you take more than one capsule per day, you can split the dose and take one capsule in the morning and one at night. This way the concentration of beneficial compounds will be more constant and equally spread throughout the day.

Is it OK to Take Evening Primrose Oil Everyday?

Evening primrose oil is generally considered safe for most people, when consumed daily for up to 1 year. Most manufacturers recommend taking their evening primrose oil supplements every day. In most scientific studies investigating the safety and effects of EPO, participants also take the supplements on a daily basis (1).

Can you take evening primrose for years?

There is not enough scientific evidence at the moment, to determine if taking EPO capsules for more than a year is safe. So even though we have not enough evidence that taking EPO supplements long-term is harmful, we are not sure it really is safe either.

Evening Primrose Oil Dosage

The recommended daily EPO dosage should be provided by the manufacturer and written on the package. Generally speaking, the dosages recommended for adults vary around 3-8 g EPO daily (1). The dose for children are usually between 1.5 and 4 g/day. Children under 1 year of age should not take this supplement! 

The recommended dose can also vary, depending on what you are using the supplement for. 

Can I Take Vitamin D with Evening Primrose Oil?

Currently there are no known interactions between primrose oil and vitamin D (2). In fact, a clinical trial showed that co-supplementation of EPO and vitamin D could help lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and have some other benefits (3).

So yes, you can take vitamin D with evening primrose oil. There are also no known interactions between EPO and other vitamins (4).

What Should You Not Take Evening Primrose Oil with?

You should not take evening primrose oil with anticoagulants, because it may increase the risk of bleeding (5). So avoid the use of EPO when taking aspirin and other anticoagulants, unless your healthcare provider says otherwise.

It is possible that EPO increases the risk of seizures (6). So if you have epilepsy or are taking anti-epileptic drugs, you should probably avoid primrose supplements. In such cases it is recommended to consult with your healthcare provider if you want to take EPO.

Should I Take Evening Primrose Oil with a Meal?

You can definitely take EPO supplements with food. In fact, taking evening primrose capsules with a meal helps with their absorption. It can also help prevent some side effects, like nausea and symptoms of indigestion.

How to store EPO?

Primrose oil is sensitive to heat and humidity and prone to oxidation when exposed to light and air. Because of this, it should be stored in a cool, dark, dry place.