Omega 3 Carboxylic Acids

Omega 3 Carboxylic Acids is a lipid-regulating agent used as an adjunct to diet to reduce triglyceride (TG) levels in adult patients with severe (≥ 500 mg/dL) hypertriglyceridemia.

• Omega 3 Carboxylic Acids are available under the following different brand names: Epanova.

Common side effects of Omega 3 Carboxylic Acids include:

• diarrhea
• nausea
• abdominal pain or discomfort
• belching
• bloating
• constipation
• vomiting
• fatigue
• runny or stuffy nose
• joint pain
• changes in the sense of taste

Serious side effects of Omega 3 Carboxylic Acids include:

• Elevated results of liver function blood tests (ALT and AST) and increased bad cholesterol levels (LDL-C)
• possible allergic reactions if you are also allergic to fish or shellfish

Rare side effects of Omega 3 Carboxylic Acids include:

• none 

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, coordination loss, unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors.
• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights.
• Serious heart symptoms include fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in the chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, or passing out.

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur because of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Adult dosage

Capsule

• 1 g

Note: 1g capsule of free fatty acids derived from fish oil contains at least 850mg of polyunsaturated fatty acids, including multiple omega 3 fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA] and docosahexaenoic acid [DHA] being the most abundant)

Hypertriglyceridemia

Adult dosage

• 2-4 g orally once a day
• Individualize dose according to response and tolerability

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows:

• See “Dosages”

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, healthcare provider, or pharmacist first.

• Omega 3 Carboxylic Acids have severe interactions with no other drugs.
• Omega 3 Carboxylic Acids have serious interactions with no other drugs.
• Omega 3 Carboxylic Acids have moderate interactions with at least 25 other drugs.
• Omega 3 Carboxylic Acids have minor interactions with no other drugs.

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your healthcare professional or doctor for additional medical advice, health questions, or concerns.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity (eg, anaphylaxis)

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Omega 3 Carboxylic Acids?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Omega 3 Carboxylic Acids?”

Cautions

• May increase LDL-C levels; monitor periodically
• Monitor ALT and AST levels periodically in patients with hepatic impairment
• Contains polyunsaturated free fatty acids derived from fish oils; use caution in patients with known allergies to fish and/or shellfish
• Prolonged bleeding time reported with omega 3 fatty acids; use caution if coadministered with anticoagulants or antiplatelet agents

Pregnancy and Lactation

• There are no studies on pregnant women and the limited available data are not sufficient to inform a drug-associated risk for major birth defects or miscarriages
• Lactation
  • Developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for therapy and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from therapy or the underlying maternal condition
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding patients should seek advice from a health professional before using this product