Vascepa
Icosapent ethyl (Vascepa) contains omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil and is used to lower triglyceride (TG) levels in adults. When taken together with a statin, icosapent ethyl (Vascepa) can help protect the heart of certain people who are at high risk of heart disease. The medication is taken by mouth twice daily. Icosapent ethyl (Vascepa) is available as a brand-name capsule and also has generic alternatives. The most common side effects include muscle and bone pain, swelling in the arms and legs, and constipation.
What is Icosapent ethyl (Vascepa)?
What is Icosapent ethyl (Vascepa) used for?
Lower the risk of heart problems in adults also taking statins who have high triglyceride levels, and have heart disease or diabetes with at least 2 risk factors for heart disease
Lower triglyceride levels in adults with very high triglycerides levels when taken together with a healthy diet
How Icosapent ethyl (Vascepa) works
Icosapent ethyl (Vascepa) is an omega-3 fatty acid. It reduces the amount of triglycerides (TG) in your body in two ways:
It lowers the amount of TG that your liver makes and releases
It lowers the amount of TG in your blood
The way icosapent ethyl (Vascepa) reduces your risk for heart problems isn't fully understood, but it might prevent blood cells from clumping together to form clots. This can help prevent heart attacks and strokes.
Drug Facts
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What are the side effects of Icosapent ethyl (Vascepa)?
Common Side Effects
- Muscle, bone, and joint pain
- Swelling in arms, legs, hands, or feet
- Constipation
- Gout
- Irregular heart rhythm
- Pain in mouth and throat
Other Side Effects
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain
- Pain in arms, legs, hands, or feet
Serious Side Effects
- Heart rhythm problems: chest pain, dizziness, weakness, shortness of breath, fainting, fast or irregular heartbeat
- Serious allergic reaction: hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue, closing of the throat, difficulty breathing
- Bleeding: lightheadedness, dizziness, difficulty stopping a bleed, blood in urine or stool, coughing up blood, severe bruising
Source:Â DailyMed
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The following side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common
Dizziness
fainting
fast or irregular heartbeat
lightheadedness
swelling of the hands, ankles, feet, or lower legs
unusual bleeding
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
difficulty with moving
muscle pain or stiffness
pain in the joints
pain in the mouth or throat
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Pros and cons of Icosapent ethyl (Vascepa)
Pros
Has been shown to lower the risk for heart problems in people with heart disease or diabetes with other risk factors
Good choice for people with very high triglyceride levels
Safe for use in people age 65 and older
Available as a lower-cost generic medication
Cons
Might raise your risk of bleeding
Needs to be taken twice a day with food
Might need to take many capsules per day, depending on your dose
Risk of allergic reaction if you're allergic to fish or shellfish
Pharmacist tips for Icosapent ethyl (Vascepa)
Swallow icosapent ethyl (Vascepa) capsules whole. Don't chew, break, or open them to make sure the medication works best for you.
Take icosapent ethyl (Vascepa) with or right after food.
If you miss a dose of icosapent ethyl (Vascepa), take it when you remember. But don't take two doses at once, as it might raise your risk for side effects.
While taking icosapent ethyl (Vascepa), continue eating a healthy diet and exercise regularly. This will give you the best results from the medication.
Make sure to tell your provider about all the medications you're taking before starting icosapent ethyl (Vascepa), especially any medications that affect bleeding (e.g., warfarin (Coumadin), clopidogrel (Plavix)). Don't start any new medications while taking icosapent ethyl (Vascepa) without talking to your provider or pharmacist first.
Your provider might want to monitor your lipid levels through a blood test before starting icosapent ethyl (Vascepa) and while you're taking it.
Frequently asked questions about Icosapent ethyl (Vascepa)
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What are the risks and warnings for Icosapent ethyl (Vascepa)?
Icosapent ethyl (Vascepa) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Heart rhythm problems (atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter)
Risk factors: History of an irregular heartbeat | History of heart disease | History of diabetes with risk factors for heart disease
Icosapent ethyl (Vascepa) raises your risk of experiencing an irregular heart rhythm (atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter), which might require hospitalization. Let your provider know if you have a history of an irregular heartbeat before starting icosapent ethyl (Vascepa). If you experience chest pain, dizziness, weakness, or shortness of breath while taking icosapent ethyl (Vascepa), contact your provider.
Allergic reactions in people who have fish allergies
Since icosapent ethyl (Vascepa) is made from fish oil, it's possible for people who are allergic to fish or shellfish to have an allergic reaction to the medication. Let your provider know about all of your allergies before starting icosapent ethyl (Vascepa), especially if you're allergic to fish. Stop taking icosapent ethyl (Vascepa) and seek medical attention right away if you notice hives, swelling of your lips or tongue, or difficulty breathing after taking icosapent ethyl (Vascepa).
Bleeding
Risk factors: Taking icosapent ethyl (Vascepa) with anticoagulants or antiplatelets
Icosapent ethyl (Vascepa) can raise your risk for bleeding, especially if you're taking anticoagulants, such as warfarin (Coumadin), or antiplatelets, such as aspirin and clopidogrel (Plavix). Seek medical attention right away if you experience difficulty stopping a bleed, blood in your urine or stool, coughing up blood, or feeling lightheaded or faint.
Icosapent ethyl (Vascepa) dosage forms
Typical dosing for Icosapent ethyl (Vascepa)
The typical dose is 2 grams by mouth twice a day with food.
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Interactions between Icosapent ethyl (Vascepa) and other drugs
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
How much does Icosapent ethyl (Vascepa) cost?
What are alternatives to Icosapent ethyl (Vascepa)?
Lower the risk of heart problems in adults also taking statins who have high triglyceride levels, and have heart disease or diabetes with at least 2 risk factors for heart disease
Lower triglyceride levels in adults with very high triglycerides levels when taken together with a healthy diet
Add-on to diet for the treatment of high triglycerides (TG) in adults with TG levels greater than 500 mg/dL
Treatment of high triglycerides - add-on to diet
Treatment of high "bad" cholesterol (LDL), with or without high triglycerides and low "good" cholesterol (HDL) - add-on to diet
What is the latest news about Icosapent ethyl (Vascepa)?
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References
Best studies we foundAmarin Pharma Inc. (2023). Vascepa- icosapent ethyl capsule [package insert]. DailyMed.
Bhatt, D.L., et al. (2018). Cardiovascular risk reduction with icosapent ethyl for hypertriglyceridemia. The New England Journal of Medicine.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Know your risk for heart disease.
Huston, J., et al. (2023). A critical review of icosapent ethyl in cardiovascular risk reduction. American Journal of Cardiovascular Drugs.
National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. (2023). Omega-3 fatty acids: Fact sheet for health professionals.
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