Cortef and Evening Primrose

• Generic Name: hydrocortisone
• Dosage Forms: tablet
• Other Brand Names: Cortef, Colocort, Cortenema, Cortifoam, Solu-Cortef

Cortef is a steroid medicine that is used in the treatment of many different conditions, including allergic disorders, skin conditions, ulcerative colitis, arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, or lung disorders.

Cortef is also used to replace steroids in people with adrenal insufficiency (decreased production of natural steroids by the adrenal glands).

Cortef affects your immune system and is often used to treat certain blood cell disorders such as anemia (low red blood cells) or thrombocytopenia (low platelets).

Cortef is also used in the treatment of certain cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.

Cortef may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

• Generic Name: evening primrose
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names:

  Primrose Oil, Evening Primrose Oil

Evening primrose is a plant also known as Primrose Seed Oil, Aceite de Onagra, Acide Cis-linoléique, Cis-Linoleic Acid, EPO, Fever Plant, Herbe-aux-ânes, Huile de Graines d'Onagre, Huile D'Onagre, Huile de Primerose, Huile de Primevère Vespérale, Jambon de Jardinier, Jambon du Paysan, King's Cureall, Mâche Rouge, Night Willow-Herb, Oenothera biennis, Oenothera muricata, Oenothera purpurata, Oenothera rubricaulis, Oenothera suaveolens, Onagra biennis, Onagraire, Onagre Bisannuelle, Onagre Commune, Primevère du Soir, Scabish, Sun Drop, and other names.

Evening primrose has been used in alternative medicine as a possibly effective aid in treating nerve damage caused by diabetes, and osteoporosis.

Evening primrose has also been used to treat asthma, eczema, attention deficit- hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), hepatitis B, high cholesterol, liver cancer, breast pain, obesity, menopausal hot flashes and night sweats, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and skin or joint symptoms of psoriasis. However, research has shown that evening primrose may not be effective in treating these conditions.

Evening primrose may have been combined with other plants or extracts in a specific preparation to treat these conditions .

Other uses not proven with research have included chronic fatigue syndrome, dyslexia, coordination and movement problems, diaper rash, dry eyes, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, ulcerative colitis, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's and other conditions.

It is not certain whether evening primrose is effective in treating any medical condition. Medicinal use of this product has not been approved by the FDA. Evening primrose should not be used in place of medication prescribed for you by your doctor.

Evening primrose is often sold as an herbal supplement. There are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for many herbal compounds and some marketed supplements have been found to be 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 also be used for purposes not listed in this product guide.