Evening Primrose and Macugen

• 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.

• Generic Name: pegaptanib ophthalmic
• Dosage Forms: injection, solution
• Other Brand Names: Macugen

Macugen (pegaptanib) is made from a human antibody fragment. It works by keeping new blood vessels from forming under the retina (a sensory membrane that lines the inside of the eye). In people with a certain type of eye disease, new blood vessels grow under the retina where they leak blood and fluid. This is known as the "wet form" of macular degeneration.

Macugen is used to treat wet age-related macular degeneration.

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