Wednesday 20 April 2011

Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters


Pronunciation: oh-MAY-ga 3 AS-id ETH-il ES-ters
Generic Name: Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters
Brand Name: Lovaza


Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters is used for:

Treating patients who have very high triglyceride levels. It is used in addition to a low-fat diet.


Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters is a lipid-regulating agent. Exactly how it works is not known. It may decrease the production of triglycerides in the liver.


Do NOT use Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters if:


  • you are allergic to any ingredient in Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters, including soy

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.



Before using Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters:


Some medical conditions may interact with Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:


  • if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding

  • if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement

  • if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances, including fish, fish oil, or soy

  • if you have a blood clotting problem

  • if you have an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), liver problems, pancreas problems, or diabetes

  • if you drink more than 2 glasses of alcohol a day

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:


  • Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.


How to use Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters:


Use Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions:


  • An extra patient information leaflet is available with Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.

  • Take Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters by mouth with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, take with food to reduce stomach irritation.

  • Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters works best if it is taken at the same time each day.

  • Do NOT change your dose or stop taking Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters without talking to your doctor.

  • If you miss a dose of Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters.



Important safety information:


  • Follow the diet and exercise program given to you by your health care provider.

  • Lab tests, including liver function and blood lipid levels, may be performed while you use Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.

  • Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 18 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.

  • PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters while you are pregnant. It is not known if Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.


Possible side effects of Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters:


All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:



Back pain; burping; flu-like symptoms (eg, fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness); taste changes; upset stomach.



Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); changes in vision; chest pain; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; numbness of an arm or leg; severe stomach pain; signs of infection (eg, fever, chills, or persistent sore throat); sudden shortness of breath; sudden, severe headache, vomiting, dizziness, or fainting.



This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.


See also: Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters side effects (in more detail)


If OVERDOSE is suspected:


Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately.


Proper storage of Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters:

Store Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not freeze. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters out of the reach of children and away from pets.


General information:


  • If you have any questions about Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

  • Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.

  • If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

  • Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.



Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters resources


  • Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters Side Effects (in more detail)
  • Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters Dosage
  • Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
  • Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters Drug Interactions
  • Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters Support Group
  • 13 Reviews for Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters - Add your own review/rating


Compare Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters with other medications


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  • Dietary Supplementation
  • Hypertriglyceridemia

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