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Fish Oil

    Brands

    Omega 3 Fatty Acids

    DEA Class; Rx

    Common Brand Names; Lovaza, Vascazen, Omtryg, Omega-3-acid ethyl esters

    • Lipid-Lowering Agents, Other; 
    • Nutritionals, Other

    Mixtures of ethyl esters or free fatty acids derived from fish oil primarily composed of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)
    Used as an adjunct to diet to reduce triglyceride levels in adult patients with severe (500 mg/dL or greater) hypertriglyceridemia
    Unknown effect on the risk for pancreatitis or cardiovascular morbidity and mortality

    Indicated for the treatment of hypertriglyceridemia (i.e., triglyceride blood concentrations 500 mg/dL or more) as an adjunct to diet.

    Hypersensitivity

    • Eructation (4.9%)
    • Infection (4.4%)
    • Flu-like syndrome (3.5%)
    • Dyspepsia (3.1%)
    • Taste perversion (2.7%)
    • Back pain (2.2%)
    • Pain (1.8%)
    • Rash (1.8%)
    • Angina pectoris (1.3%)
    • Anaphylactic reaction
    • Hemorrhagic diathesis
    • Urticaria

    Discontinue medications that exacerbate hypertriglyceridemia

    Use caution in patients allergic to fish

    May increase liver ALT without increasing AST (monitor)

    May increase LDL levels (monitor)

    May prolong bleeding time (use caution)

    Recurrent AF or flutter observed when initial high dose of Lovaza administered (ie, 8 g/day x1 week, then 4 g/day thereafter)

    Available data from published case reports and pharmacovigilance database on use in pregnant women are insufficient to identify a drug-associated risk for major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes

    Published studies have detected omega-3 fatty acids, including EPA and DHA, in human milk

    Adults

    4 capsules/day PO.

    Geriatric

    4 capsules/day PO.

    Adolescents

    Safety and efficacy have not been established.

    Children

    Safety and efficacy have not been established.

    Infants

    Safety and efficacy have not been established.

    Neonates

    Safety and efficacy have not been established.

    Omega 3 fatty acids

    Omega-3-acid ethyl esters

    capsule

    • Lovaza: 1g; 900mg of ethyl esters; includes eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA ~465mg) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA ~375mg)
    • Omtryg: 1.2g; 900mg of ethyl esters; includes eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA ~465mg) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA ~375mg)
    • Vascazen: 1g; 900mg of ethyl esters; includes eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA ~680mg) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA ~110mg)