Omega-3-Carboxylic Acids

Omega-3-carboxylic acids is a prescription medication used along with a low fat and low cholesterol diet to lower very high triglycerides in adult patients. Triglycerides are a type of fat found in the blood that provides energy to the body. When triglycerides reach very high levels, a condition known as hypertriglyceridemia, fat accumulates in the blood and can lead to serious health complications.

Omega-3-carboxylic acids contains fish oil-derived fatty acids. The exact way it works to lower triglyceride levels is not understood.

This medication comes in capsule form. It is to be taken once daily, with or without food. Do not break or chew omega-3-carboxylic acids capsules. Swallow capsules whole.

Common side effects include diarrhea, upset stomach, stomach pain, and burping.

Omega-3-carboxylic acids is a prescription medication used along with a low-fat and low-cholesterol diet to lower very high triglycerides in adult patients.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Omega-3-Carboxylic Acids may be found in some form under the following brand names:

• Epanova

Serious side effects have been reported with omega-3-carboxylic acids. See the “Omega-3-carboxylic acids Precautions” section.

Common side effects of omega-3-carboxylic acids include:

• diarrhea
• nausea
• abdominal pain
• burping

This is not a complete list of omega-3-carboxylic acids side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• anticoagulants such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven)
• antiplatelet agents such as aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), and dipyridamole (Aggrenox)

This is not a complete list of omega-3-carboxylic acids drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Serious side effects have been reported with omega-3-carboxylic acids including the following:

• increased levels of liver enzymes
• prolonged bleeding time

Do not take omega-3-carboxylic acids if you:

• are allergic to omega-3-carboxylic acids or to any of its ingredients

Caution should be used if you are allergic to fish or shellfish. Omega-3-carboxylic acids contains fish-derived fatty acids, but it is not known if people with fish allergies are at an increased risk of an allergic reaction to omega-3-carboxylic acids.

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of omega-3-carboxylic acids, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication.

Before taking omega-3-carboxylic acids, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

• are allergic to omega-3-carboxylic acids or to any of its ingredients
• have thyroid problems
• have liver disease
• have pancreatic disease
• are allergic to fish or shellfish
• are pregnant or breastfeeding

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X - are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Omega-3-carboxylic acids falls into category C. In animal studies, pregnant animals were given this medication and had some babies born with problems. No well-controlled studies have been done in humans. Therefore, this medication may be used if the potential benefits to the mother outweigh the potential risks to the unborn child.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Omega-3-carboxylic acids has been detected in human breast milk. Because of the possibility for adverse reactions in nursing infants from omega-3-carboxylic acids, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or to stop use of this medication. The importance of the drug to the mother should be considered.

Take omega-3-carboxylic acids exactly as prescribed.

Omega-3-carboxylic acids comes in capsule form and is taken once daily. Take omega-3-carboxylic acids capsules whole. Do not break open, crush, dissolve, or chew omega-3-carboxylic acids capsules before swallowing. If you cannot swallow omega-3-carboxylic acids capsules whole, tell your doctor. You may need a different medicine.

If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take 2 doses of omega-3-carboxylic acids at the same time.

Your doctor should start you on a diet that is low in saturated fat, cholesterol, carbohydrates, and low in added sugars before giving you omega-3-carboxylic acids. Stay on this diet while taking omega-3-carboxylic acids.

Your doctor will do regular blood tests to check your triglycerides, bad cholesterol, and liver function levels while you take omega-3-carboxylic acids.

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

The dose your doctor recommends may be based on the following:

• how you respond to this medication

The recommended dose of omega-3-carboxylic acidsfor the treatment of high triglycerides is 2 grams (2 capsules) or 4 grams (4 capsules) once daily, depending on your body's response and how well the medication is tolerated.

If you take too much omega-3-carboxylic acids, call your healthcare provider or local Poison Control Center or seek emergency medical attention right away.

If omega-3-carboxylic acids is administered by a healthcare provider in a medical setting, it is unlikely that an overdose will occur. However, if overdose is suspected, seek emergency medical attention.

• Store omega-3-carboxylic acids at room temperature. Do not freeze omega-3-carboxylic acids capsules.
• Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children.