Seroquel and Evening Primrose Oil

[BB106]

Can I take Evening Primrose Oil with Seroquel (100mg per day)?  I've notice recent hair shedding and read that Evening Primrose Oil can help but interacts with some anti-psychotic meds. I do not have a seizure disorder.

[allmymarbles]

Vitamin B5 is good for your hair. Mine was seriously damaged by inhaled steroids and B5 put it right. Biotin is also good.

[Alison L, RPh]

Evening primrose oil is rich in an essential nutrient called omega-6 fatty acid, which is used for many different processes in the body. Essential fatty acids are compounds which the human body is unable to make itself and are obtained through daily nutrition; humans can make all necessary fatty acids but omega-3 and omega-6. Usual contemporary diets are low in these nutrients and have been proposed as a cause of many conditions. Evening primrose oil has been used to supplement the diet of deficient individuals as well as for a variety of inflammatory, hormonal, and immune diseases and includes atopic dermatitis (a skin condition), depression, diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, premenstrual syndrome and menopause, rheumatoid arthritis, and a variety of others. Symptoms of fatty acid deficiency include fatigue, dry skin and hair, cracked nails, arthritis, and dry mucous membranes. It is important to take all herbal supplements under the supervision of your primary care doctor because they are not benign substances and do have cautions and contraindications in many patients. Evening primrose oil may lower the seizure threshold and use is contraindicated in patients with seizure disorders, schizophrenia, or individuals receiving anti-seizure or anti-psychotic medications. Therefore, before using this herbal supplement for hair loss I would consult your doctor to see if it is appropriate or if they can recommend something else due to you taking Seroquel (which is classified as an anti-psychotic agent).

[Tyler15951]

Hey there,

I recently checked out the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database to check for interactions with your current medications & did not identify any problems if you decide to take Evening Primrose. The increase in the incidence of seizures has occurred with drugs called "phenothiazines" (eg. chlorpromazine, thioridazine etc) and not with Seroquel (Quetiapine). However, I do caution against using Evening Primrose Oil for hair loss. From what I have read there does not seem to be any evidence supporting the use of Evening Primrose for hair loss. Some evidence suggests it may be useful for breast pain & for osteoporosis when combined with calcium supplementation. You say that you have a new onset anxiety disorder, perhaps this "stress" is related to you noticing the hair loss more? Note that as we get older our hairs become thinner & don't do such a good job of covering the scalp.  Hair is an important part of our identity, but losing it is also a normal part of aging. There are topical (minoxidil) and oral medications that may help with hair loss & I encourage you to see your doctor or pharmacist for some more information if you are interested.
***some of these medications used for hair loss are a bit mucky & take a while to work.

Hope this helps,

Tyler