Omega-3 carboxylic acids

Omega-3 carboxylic acids (Epanova) is an FDA approved prescription medication used alongside a low fat and low cholesterol diet that lowers high triglyceride (fat) levels in adults with very high levels. This was the third class of fish oil-based drug to be approved for use as a drug. The first approval was granted in the US came in 2014. These fish oil drugs are similar to fish oil dietary supplements but the ingredients are better controlled and have been tested in clinical trials. Omega-3 carboxylic acids (Epanova) is an FDA approved prescription medication used alongside a low fat and low cholesterol diet that lowers high triglyceride (fat) levels in adults with very high levels. This was the third class of fish oil-based drug to be approved for use as a drug. The first approval was granted in the US came in 2014. These fish oil drugs are similar to fish oil dietary supplements but the ingredients are better controlled and have been tested in clinical trials. Omega-3 carboxylic acids are used in addition to changes in diet to reduce triglyceride levels in adults with severe (≥ 500 mg/dL) hypertriglyceridemia. Intake of large doses (2.0 to 4.0 g/day) of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids as prescription drugs or dietary supplements are generally required to achieve significant (> 15%) lowering of triglycerides, and at those doses the effects can be significant (from 20% to 35% and even up to 45% in individuals with levels greater that 500 mg/dL). It appears that both eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) lower triglycerides, but DHA appears to raise LDL-C ('bad cholesterol') more than EPA, while DHA raises HDL-C ('good cholesterol') while EPA does not. There are other omega-3 fish oil based drugs on the market that have similar uses and mechanisms of action. There are many fish oil dietary supplements on the market. There appears to be little difference between in effect between dietary supplement and prescription forms of omega-3 fatty acids but EPA and DHA ethyl esters (prescription forms) work less well when taken on an empty stomach or with a low-fat meal. The ingredients of dietary supplements are not as carefully controlled as prescription products and have not been fixed and tested in clinical trials, as prescription drugs have, and the prescription forms are more concentrated, requiring fewer capsules to be taken and increasing the likelihood of compliance. Special caution should be taken with people who have with fish and shellfish allergies. In addition, as with other omega-3 fatty acids, taking omega-3 carboxylic acids puts people who are on anticoagulants at risk for prolonged bleeding time. Side effects include diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, and burping. Omega-3 carboxylic acids have not been tested in pregnant women and are rated pregnancy category C; it is excreted in breast milk and the effects on infants are not known. Omega-3 carboxylic acids are directly absorbed in the small intestine; maximum plasma concentrations are achieved between 5–8 hours after dosing for total EPA and between 5–9 hours after dosing for total DHA. Both DHA and EPA are mainly metabolized in the liver like other fatty acids derived from food. The half-life of EPA from Omega-3 carboxylic acids is about 37 hours, and for DHA about 46 hours.