Omega-3-acid Ethyl Esters

Omega-3-acid ethyl esters is a prescription fish-oil-derived preparation containing eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) as their ethyl esters, indicated as an adjunct to diet for adults with severe hypertriglyceridemia (triglycerides at least 500 mg/dL). It is distinct from Icosapent Ethyl (Vascepa), which is purified EPA ethyl ester only; the cardiovascular-outcomes evidence supporting icosapent ethyl in REDUCE-IT does not extend to mixed EPA+DHA preparations, and the STRENGTH trial of a related carboxylic-acid omega-3 formulation was stopped early for futility^{[citation needed]}.

Omega-3 fatty acid, Lipid-lowering agent

Omega-3-acid ethyl esters

Lovaza, Omtryg

Experience

👥 No personal reports yet

⚕ No clinical reports yet

Log in to add your own experience.

Problems

No problems yet. Be the first to suggest one.

+ Add a problem

Titration strategies

No titration strategies yet. Be the first to suggest one.

+ Add a titration strategy

Effects

No effects listed yet. Be the first to suggest one.

+ Add an effect

Relevant anecdote

No anecdotes yet. Share a relevant one.

+ Add an anecdote

Relevant Literature

No literature entries yet.

Log in to submit relevant literature.

Summary

Classes

Omega-3 fatty acid, Lipid-lowering agent

Common uses

Severe hypertriglyceridemia (TG at least 500 mg/dL)▲0▼

Pharmacy

Starting dose

4 g PO daily (as 4 x 1 g capsules once daily, or 2 capsules BID)

Preparations

1 g soft gelatin capsules containing ~465 mg EPA + ~375 mg DHA as ethyl esters

US FDA Max

4 g/d

Pharmacology

Routes

Oral

Onset

Triglyceride lowering at 2-4 weeks; max at 8 weeks

Duration

Daily dosing

Half-life

Not well characterized; tissue incorporation over weeks

Bioavailability

Improved with food

Pregnancy

Limited human data^{[citation needed]}

Legal status

Rx-only in US

Purported mechanism

Omega-3-acid ethyl esters lower serum triglycerides primarily by reducing hepatic VLDL-triglyceride synthesis and increasing fatty-acid oxidation; LDL may rise modestly in the mixed EPA+DHA preparations, unlike the pure-EPA icosapent ethyl.▲0▼ The EPA+DHA mix is biochemically and clinically distinct from icosapent ethyl.