Flax

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 25, 2025.

What are other common names?

• Linum crepitans
• Linum humile
• Linum usitatissimum
• Alasi
• Brown Flaxseed
• Brown-Seeded Flax
• Common Flax
• Flax Hull
• Flax Lignans
• Flax Meal
• Flax Seed
• Flaxseed
• Flaxseed Oil
• Golden Flax
• Linseed
• Linseed Flax
• Linseed Oil
• Lint Bells
• Lintbells
• Linum
• Malsaga
• Phytoestrogen
• Ta Ma

What is this product used for?

Flaxseed, but not flaxseed oil, is a source of fiber. Flaxseed and flaxseed oil are used as a laxative. Flaxseed may help lower blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol. It may also help with weight control in people who are overweight. Grind whole flaxseed for best results.

What are the precautions when taking this product?

• Always check with your doctor before you use a natural product. Some products may not mix well with drugs or other natural products.

• Do not use this product if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant soon. Use birth control you can trust while taking this product.

• Do not use this product if you are breast-feeding.

• Take oral drugs 1 hour before flaxseed or 2 hours after flaxseed.

• Be sure to take this product with plenty of water.

• Be sure to tell your doctor that you take this product if you are scheduled for surgery or tests.

• Take extra care if you are taking drugs to thin your blood. These are drugs like warfarin, heparin, or enoxaparin.

• Take extra care if you are taking drugs to dissolve blood clots. These are drugs like alteplase, reteplase, or streptokinase.

• Take extra care if you are taking drugs to help with swelling or inflammation. These are drugs like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen.

• Do not use this product if you have health problems that are sensitive to hormones. These are problems like breast cancer, prostate cancer, or endometriosis.

• Take extra care if you are taking drugs that affect your hormones. These are drugs like estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, anastrozole, exemestane, fluvestrant, letrozole, or tamoxifen.

• Take extra care if you are taking drugs for high blood pressure. These are drugs like captopril, atenolol, furosemide, and amlodipine.

• Take extra care if you are taking drugs for high cholesterol. These are drugs like ezetimibe, statins, cholestyramine, colestipol, gemfibrozil, and fenofibrate.

• Take extra care if you are on drugs to treat low mood.

• If you have blood sugar problems, keep hard candies, glucose tablets, liquid glucose, or juice on hand for low blood sugar.

• Take extra care and check with your doctor if you have:

  • Bowel problems

  • Bleeding problems

  • Blood pressure problems

  • Diabetes

  • Cancer

  • Endometriosis or fibroids

What should I watch for?

• Upset stomach

• More stools than normal

• Bloating

• Increased gas

• Heartburn

• Itching

• Stuffy nose

Related/similar drugs

When do I need to call the doctor?

• Signs of a very bad reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; fever; rash; hives; itching, discolored, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat. Go to the ER right away.

• Signs of an overdose. These include very weakness, unable to walk normally, unable to move, or seizures. Call for emergency help right away.

• Signs of low blood sugar. These include hunger, dizziness, shaking, a fast heartbeat, confusion, or sweating.

• Signs of low blood pressure like feeling dizzy, weak, or tired, fainting, more thirst, or skin that is pale, cool, and clammy.

• Very bad throwing up

• Very bad belly pain

• Very bad loose stools

• Very bad hard stools or no stools

• Enlargement of breasts

• Bruising or bleeding that is not normal

• Changes in menstrual periods like lots of bleeding, spotting, or bleeding between cycles

Last Reviewed Date

2024-05-29

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