flax seed

Complementary/Alternative Medicine: This monograph describes a natural or herbal product that is not subject to FDA guidelines for medicines. Patients and clinicians are advised to read package labels carefully to ensure safe and efficacious use.

REMS

Constipation.
Diabetes.
Hypercholesterolemia.
Hypertension.
Mastalgia.
Obesity.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) nephritis.

Contraind./Precautions ⬆ ⬇

Contraindicated in:

Hypersensitivity;
GI obstruction.

Use Cautiously in:

Bleeding disorders;
Hormone sensitive cancers/conditions.
OB: Pregnancy;
Lactation: Lactation;

Adv. Reactions/Side Effects ⬆ ⬇

Endo: hypoglycemia

GI: bloating, diarrhea, flatulence, nausea

Hemat: ↑bleeding time

Misc: allergic reactions

Interactions ⬆ ⬇

Natural-Drug Products:

↑risk of bleeding with anticoagulantsand antiplatelet agents.
May have additive blood sugar lowering effects with hypoglycemic agents.

Natural-Natural Products:

↑risk of bleeding with herbs that have anticoagulant/antiplatelet properties including clovegarlicgingergingkoginseng and others.

Availability ⬆ ⬇

Oil: OTC
Whole or ground seeds: OTC

Route/Dosage ⬆ ⬇

Note: Flaxseed oil contains the alpha-linolenic acid component of flaxseed, not the fiber or lignan components. It may share the purported lipid-lowering properties of flaxseed but not the proposed laxative or anti-estrogenic properties.
PO (Adults ): Constipation: 10–25 g twice daily. Diabetes: 13–40 g/day. Hypercholesterolemia: 30–50 g/day. Hypertension: 10–30 g/day. Mastalgia: 25 g/day. Obesity: 30 g/day. SLE nephritis: 15 grams twice daily.

US Brand Names ⬆ ⬇

Linum usitatissimum, Linseed, Phytoestrogen

Action ⬆ ⬇

Flaxseed contains alpha-linoleic acid which lowers serum cholesterol and reduces platelet aggregation. Ten grams of flaxseed contains 4 g of dietary fiber which also helps lower cholesterol and increases fecal elimination of bile acids. Flaxseed is an indirect food source of lignans which alter estrogen metabolism to produce less active estrogen metabolites. Flaxseed improves renal function by decreasing blood viscosity, reducing serum cholesterol and reducing inflammatory response.

Therapeutic effects:

Increased bowel movements.
Reduced blood glucose
Reduced serum cholesterol.
Reduced BP.
Reduced mastalgia symptoms.
Weight loss.
Improved renal function.

Classifications ⬆ ⬇

Therapeutic Classification: laxatives, lipid-lowering agents

Pharmacokinetics ⬆ ⬇

Absorption: Unknown

Distribution: Unknown

Metabolism/Excretion: Unknown

Half-Life: Unknown

Time/Action Profile ⬆ ⬇

	ONSET	PEAK	DURATION
PO	unknown	unknown	unknown

Patient/Family Teaching ⬆ ⬇

Explain purpose and side effects of medication.
Advise patient to notify health care professional of all Rx or OTC medications, vitamins, or herbal products being taken and to consult health care professional before taking other medications.
Encourage patient to use other forms of bowel regulation, such as ↑ dietary bulk, fluid intake, and mobility. Normal bowel habits are variable.
Advise patient that this medication should be used in conjunction with diet restrictions (saturated fats, cholesterol, carbohydrates, alcohol), exercise, and cessation of smoking.
Advise patient not to use laxatives when abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or fever is present.
Rep: Advise women of reproductive potential to notify health care professional if pregnancy is planned or suspected, or if breastfeeding.

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Indications ⬇