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Omacor (Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters) - Summary

 
 



OMACOR SUMMARY

OMACOR®
(omega-3-acid ethyl esters) Capsules

Omacor, a lipid-regulating agent, is supplied as a liquid-filled gel capsule for oral administration. Each one gram capsule of Omacor (omega-3 acid ethyl esters) contains at least 900 mg of the ethyl esters of omega-3 fatty acids. These are predominantly a combination of ethyl esters of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA - approximately 465 mg) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA - approximately 375 mg).

Omacor is indicated as an adjunct to diet to reduce very high (≥ 500 mg/dL) triglyceride (TG) levels in adult patients.

Usage Considerations

According to accepted clinical guidelines, excess body weight and excess alcohol intake may be important factors in hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) and should be addressed before initiating any drug therapy. Physical exercise can be an important ancillary measure. Diseases contributory to hyperlipidemia, (such as hypothyroidism or diabetes mellitus) should be looked for and adequately treated. Estrogen therapy, thiazide diuretics, and beta blockers are sometimes associated with massive rises in plasma TG levels. In such cases, discontinuation of the specific etiologic agent may obviate the need for specific drug therapy for HTG.

The use of lipid-regulating agents should be considered only when reasonable attempts have been made to obtain satisfactory results with non-drug methods. If the decision is made to use lipid-regulating agents, the patient should be advised that use of lipid-regulating agents does not reduce the importance of adhering to diet. (See PRECAUTIONS).


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NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Media Articles Related to Omacor (Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters)

High Cholesterol (Hyperlipidemia) Quiz: Test Your Medical IQ
Source: MedicineNet Heart Attack and Atherosclerosis Prevention Specialty [2017.09.19]
Title: High Cholesterol (Hyperlipidemia) Quiz: Test Your Medical IQ
Category: MedicineNet Quiz
Created: 11/11/2011 6:30:00 PM
Last Editorial Review: 9/19/2017 7:03:33 PM

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Published Studies Related to Omacor (Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters)

Prescription omega-3-acid ethyl esters reduce fasting and postprandial triglycerides and modestly reduce pancreatic beta-cell response in subjects with primary hypertriglyceridemia. [2011.09]
Treatment with prescription omega-3-acid ethyl esters (POM3) reduces triglycerides (TG) and TG-rich lipoprotein particles, but has been associated with increased fasting glucose (2-6mg/dL). This double-blind, randomized, controlled crossover trial in 19 men and women with hypertriglyceridemia (fasting TG >/=150 and </=499mg/dL) examined lipid responses and indices of insulin sensitivity and secretion following a liquid meal tolerance test...

Effects of prescription omega-3-acid ethyl esters on fasting lipid profile in subjects with primary hypercholesterolemia. [2011.04]
This double-blind, randomized crossover study investigated the effects of 6 weeks of treatment with prescription omega-3-acid ethyl esters (POM3, 4 g/day) versus placebo (soy oil) on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and other aspects of the fasting lipid profile in 31 men and women with primary, isolated hypercholesterolemia (LDL-C 130-220 mg/dL and triglycerides less than 150 mg/dL while free of lipid-altering therapies)...

Effects of prescription omega-3-acid ethyl esters, coadministered with atorvastatin, on circulating levels of lipoprotein particles, apolipoprotein CIII, and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 mass in men and women with mixed dyslipidemia. [2011]
mixed dyslipidemia... CONCLUSION: This analysis supports the view that LDL-P concentration is not

Effects of prescription omega-3-acid ethyl esters on fasting lipid profile in subjects with primary hypercholesterolemia. [2011]
This double-blind, randomized crossover study investigated the effects of 6 weeks of treatment with prescription omega-3-acid ethyl esters (POM3, 4 g/day) versus placebo (soy oil) on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and other aspects of the fasting lipid profile in 31 men and women with primary, isolated hypercholesterolemia (LDL-C 130-220 mg/dL and triglycerides less than 150 mg/dL while free of lipid-altering therapies)...

Long-term up to 24-month efficacy and safety of concomitant prescription omega-3-acid ethyl esters and simvastatin in hypertriglyceridemic patients. [2010.04]
OBJECTIVE: Assess the long-term efficacy and safety of prescription omega-3-acid ethyl esters (P-OM3) coadministered with simvastatin in an extension of the Combination of Prescription Omega-3 Plus Simvastatin (COMBOS) trial... CONCLUSIONS: In this 24-month extension study, P-OM3 was generally well tolerated, and produced sustained reductions in non-HDL-C levels in simvastatin-treated patients with TG levels between 200 and 500 mg/dL (2.26 mmol/L and 5.64 mmol/L). CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY NUMBER: NCT00903409.

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Clinical Trials Related to Omacor (Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters)

An Efficacy and Safety Study of Omacor� in Taiwanese Hypertriglyceridemic Patients [Completed]
1. Evaluation of the efficacy of Omacor® in Taiwanese hypertriglyceridemia patients 2. Evaluation of the safety of Omacor® in Taiwanese hypertriglyceridemia patients

Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety of Omacor (Omega-3-acid Ethyl Esters) as Add-on Therapy in Hypertriglyceridemic Subjects Treated With Antara (Fenofibrate) Followed by an 8-week Extension [Completed]
The purpose of OM5/LOV111859 was to evaluate efficacy and safety of Omacor (omega-3-acid ethyl esters) as add-on therapy to Antara (fenofibrate) and diet for the treatment of patients with very high triglycerides. The purpose of both OM5X/LOV111860 was to assess the continued efficacy and safety of adjunctive Lovaza (omega-3-acid ethyl esters) therapy in hypertriglyceridemic subjects treated with fenofibrate in lowering serum triglyceride (TG) levels.

Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety of Omacor, Co-Administered With Atorvastatin, in Subjects With Hypertriglyceridemia [Completed]
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Omacor (omega-3-acid ethyl esters) combined with atorvastatin for lowering non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) in hypertriglyceridemic subjects.

Omacor and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in HIV Patients on HAART Treatment [Completed]

Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Platelets in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease With Hypertriglyceridemia [Not yet recruiting]
Omacor®/Lovaza® is an effective, and very safe mix of PO-3A, and the drug is currently approved by the Federal authorities for the drug management of post-infarction patients with high blood triglycerides. Given the growing length of CAD progression, it is pertinent that many more patients will yield extra benefit from Lovaza® on top of aggressive antiplatelet regimens and statin due to severity of their vascular disease. Therefore, mild antiplatelet properties of PO-3A will be a highly desirable and attractive commodity of this medication. The investigators believe that Omacor®/Lovaza® is ideally positioned for the chronic management of CAD as a safe, efficient, and "gentle" agent with no harmful interactions with statins or aspirin. The investigators hypothesize that addition of Omacor may add mild antiplatelet protection for CAD patients. The study objectives are:

- To assess the ex vivo effects of Omacor® on platelet function in patients with coronary

artery disease (CAD).

- To compare ex vivo platelet-related effects after 7 and 14 days of therapy with Omacor

and statin combination versus statin alone in patients with chronic stable coronary heart disease.

- To establish the relation of changes in platelet activity (if any) with the lipid

profile to prove an additional benefit of Omacor® on top of statin and aspirin.

more trials >>

Reports of Suspected Omacor (Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters) Side Effects

Hyperglycaemia (9)OFF Label USE (7)Premature Labour (6)Pancreatitis (6)Fatigue (5)Liver Function Test Abnormal (5)Blood Cholesterol Increased (5)Arthralgia (5)Blood Bilirubin Increased (4)Blood Alkaline Phosphatase Increased (4)more >>


PATIENT REVIEWS / RATINGS / COMMENTS

Based on a total of 1 ratings/reviews, Omacor has an overall score of 8. The effectiveness score is 8 and the side effect score is 8. The scores are on ten point scale: 10 - best, 1 - worst.
 

Omacor review by 40 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   high cholesterol
Dosage & duration:   2 capsules taken 2 times daily for the period of 4 months
Other conditions:   gastroparesis; tachycardia; migraines; asthma
Other drugs taken:   topamax; nexium; potassium; advair; rhinocort; singulair; xoepenix
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   lowered total cholesterol by 40 points
Side effects:   continual belching of "fishy" taste
Comments:   Both my husband & I have taken this medication. His results have been more dramatic than mine. He has seen a total cholesterol level lowering of 60 points to less than 200. Mine has lowered to just above 200 at 215, which is the lowest I've seen. There are minimal side effects. Mostly a "fishy" taste for 2-4 hours after taking the medication. Since I have difficulty digesting most vitamins, this is to be expected. My husband has had no side effects with this medication what so ever. It has the additional effect of lowering triglycerides. While it is a prescription medication, it is concentrated Omega 3's & has proven the safest way for us to bring our high cholesterol to a manageable level after failing with diet & exercise.

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Page last updated: 2017-09-19

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