Thrombosis and Haemostasis, Table of Contents Thromb Haemost 1985; 54(02): 490-494DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1657880 Original Article Schattauer GmbH Stuttgart Evening Primrose Oil (Efamol) in the Treatment of Raynaud’s Phenomenon: A Double Blind Study J J F Belch The Centre for Rheumatic Diseases, Department of Medicine and Vascular Surgery, Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, UK , B Shaw The Centre for Rheumatic Diseases, Department of Medicine and Vascular Surgery, Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, UK , A O’Dowd The Centre for Rheumatic Diseases, Department of Medicine and Vascular Surgery, Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, UK , A Saniabadi The Centre for Rheumatic Diseases, Department of Medicine and Vascular Surgery, Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, UK , P Leiberman The Centre for Rheumatic Diseases, Department of Medicine and Vascular Surgery, Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, UK , R D Sturrock The Centre for Rheumatic Diseases, Department of Medicine and Vascular Surgery, Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, UK , C D Forbes The Centre for Rheumatic Diseases, Department of Medicine and Vascular Surgery, Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, UK › Author Affiliations Recommend Article Abstract PDF Download Buy Article Summary Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) and prostacyclin have been used in Raynaud’s phenomenon (RP) but are unstable and require intravenous administration. An alternative approach is to stimulate the body’s own PGE1 production via administration of the precursor essential fatty acid. We studied the effect of 12 capsules/day of evening primrose oil (EPO) on the manifestations of RP. 21 patients received a two week course of placebo, thereafter 11 received EPO for 8 weeks and 10 patients received placebo. As the weather worsened the placebo group experienced significantly more attacks than the EPO group. Visual analogue scales assessing the severity of attacks and coldness of hands improved in the EPO group. No changes were seen in either group in hand temperatures and cold challenge plethysmography. Blood tests showed some antiplatelet effects of the drug. In conclusion patients receiving EPO benefited symptomatically. This was not matched however by any change in objective assessment of blood flow, although changes in platelet behaviour and blood prostanoids were observed. 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