Icosapent Ethyl
About Icosapent Ethyl
Icosapent Ethyl is a prescription medicine used to lower high triglyceride (fat) levels in adults and to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular events in certain people at increased cardiovascular risk. It is commonly prescribed alongside a heart-healthy diet and other cholesterol-lowering treatments.
For the best results, you need to take Icosapent Ethyl regularly and consistently as prescribed by your doctor. You should always take this medication with food or a meal to help your body absorb it properly. Combining this treatment with a low-fat diet and regular physical exercise is key to successfully managing your lipid levels.
While taking Icosapent Ethyl, some people may experience mild side effects like joint pain or mild swelling in the hands and feet. However, you should consult your doctor immediately if you experience more serious symptoms, such as an irregular heartbeat or unusual bleeding.
Before starting this medicine, talk to your doctor if you have a history of liver damage, heart rhythm problems, or a fish allergy. Do not take this if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in Icosapent Ethyl.
Some medications, particularly blood thinners, can interact with Icosapent Ethyl and increase your risk of bleeding. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or an older adult, consult your healthcare provider to discuss whether this treatment is safe for you.
Uses of Icosapent Ethyl
Medicinal Benefits
Using Icosapent Ethyl as prescribed helps lower triglyceride levels, protect your heart, and support long-term cardiovascular health. Here are the key benefits you can expect:
- Lowers high triglyceride levels: Helps reduce very high triglyceride levels, supporting healthier blood lipid levels.
- Protects cardiovascular health: Helps lower the risk of serious cardiovascular events, such as heart attack, stroke, and certain heart procedures, in people at high cardiovascular risk.
- Supports comprehensive lipid management: Helps lower triglycerides without increasing LDL ('bad') cholesterol levels, making it an effective addition to your overall cholesterol management plan.
Directions for Use
- Icosapent Ethyl can be taken with food or as advised by the doctor.
- It is usually recommended to take twice daily; however, follow your doctor’s advice regarding the dosage and duration.
- Swallow Icosapent Ethyl as a whole with water.
- Do not crush, break or chew it.
Storage
Side Effects of Icosapent Ethyl
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Pain in your joints or muscles
- Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet
- Constipation
- Gout flare-ups (painful, swollen joints)
Serious Side Effects (Consult your doctor right away):
- Signs of an irregular heartbeat, such as a fast pulse, fluttering, or pounding in your chest, accompanied by dizziness or shortness of breath
- Unusual or easy bleeding, including frequent nosebleeds, bleeding gums, or blood in your urine or stools
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as hives, swelling of the face, lips, or throat, and difficulty breathing
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Inspect before use: Check the capsules before each use. Do not take any capsule that is leaking, damaged, or discoloured.
- Inform your healthcare providers: Tell your dentist and all treating doctors that you are taking Icosapent Ethyl, as it may increase the risk of bleeding during surgical or dental procedures.
- Monitor your heart rhythm: If you have a history of an irregular heartbeat, check your pulse regularly and contact your doctor immediately if you experience palpitations, fluttering, dizziness, or fainting.
- Report allergies: Inform your doctor before starting treatment if you have a known allergy to fish or shellfish.
Drug Interactions
- Blood thinners (such as warfarin) or antiplatelet drugs (such as aspirin or clopidogrel): May increase the risk of bleeding when taken together with Icosapent Ethyl.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeWhile using this medication, avoid consuming alcohol because it can elevate triglyceride levels and increase your risk of liver damage.
Pregnancy
unsafeIcosapent Ethyl is not recommended during pregnancy as it may cause major birth defects.
Breast Feeding
cautionIf you are breastfeeding, inform your doctor before taking Icosapent Ethyl.
Driving
safeIcosapent Ethyl has negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines.
Liver
cautionCaution should be exercised while using Icosapent Ethyl in patients with hepatic impairment. Your doctor may monitor levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). So, inform your doctor before receiving Icosapent Ethyl if you have had a liver impairment.
Kidney
cautionIt has not been studied in patients with kidney impairment. So, inform your doctor before receiving Icosapent Ethyl if you have had kidney problems. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Children
unsafeIcosapent Ethyl is not recommended for children younger than 18 years old.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Follow a heart-healthy diet: Choose foods that are low in saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol to support healthy lipid levels.
- Eat fibre-rich foods: Include vegetables, oats, whole grains, legumes, and other high-fibre foods in your daily meals to help improve your cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
- Limit alcohol intake: Avoid or significantly reduce alcohol consumption, as it can increase triglyceride levels.
- Reduce added sugars: Limit foods and drinks high in simple sugars, such as sweets, desserts, and sugar-sweetened beverages, as they can raise triglyceride levels.
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity, such as brisk walking, each week, or follow your doctor's recommendations.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
High cholesterol: Cholesterol is a waxy substance produced by the liver to protect nerves, make tissue, and various hormones. Our body also receives cholesterol from food, like cooking oils, eggs, meats, and dairy products. Excess cholesterol is bad for our health. There are two types of cholesterol: ' bad cholesterol' and 'good cholesterol'. Bad cholesterol comprises low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglycerides (TG), while good cholesterol consists of high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Usually, there are no specific symptoms of raised or high cholesterol levels, but a large deposition of cholesterol in the arteries (plaque) or heart blockage. Blocked artery or plaque formation in the heart's arteries can lead to chest pain (angina), a heart attack, or a stroke. So, it is advisable to have complete cholesterol tests (lipid profile tests) at least once a year. It will help you closely monitor your heart health and risk of heart attack and stroke.
FAQs
Icosapent Ethyl is used together with lifestyle changes (diet, weight loss, exercise) to lower high cholesterol or increased cholesterol levels and triglycerides in the blood.
Icosapent Ethyl contains Icosapent Ethyl work, which works by decreasing the amount of triglycerides and other fats made in the liver.
In a clinical investigation, Icosapent Ethyl was known to cause an increased risk of bleeding. Patients taking antithrombotic drugs such as aspirin, clopidogrel, or warfarin had a higher risk of bleeding. If you have any concerns, please consult your healthcare practitioner.
There is no strong evidence to suggest that taking Icosapent Ethyl will reduce fertility in either men or women. However, it is advisable to consult a doctor before taking it if you are likely to get pregnant or are pregnant.
Increase your daily diet with fibre, fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fish, and cut saturated fat as well. Stop smoking and drinking, and try to work out every day as well.
No, you should not stop taking Icosapent Ethyl without consulting your doctor. Please take advice from the doctor before quitting.
Yoghurt is a probiotic that can help lower the raised cholesterol level if taken with Icosapent Ethyl. Yoghurt eaters have a better metabolic profile than those who do not eat yoghurt.
You should tell your doctor if you have a fish or shellfish allergy before taking Icosapent Ethyl. They will help you decide if it is safe for you to use. Talk to your doctor.
Yes, you should always take Icosapent Ethyl with a meal or food. This ensures that the medication is absorbed properly by your body. Talk to your doctor.
No. Icosapent Ethyl is a prescription medicine that contains highly purified eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) only. Most over-the-counter fish oil supplements contain a mixture of EPA and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in varying amounts and are not approved as substitutes for prescription Icosapent Ethyl in reducing cardiovascular risk or treating severe high triglyceride levels. Talk to your doctor before replacing one with the other.
No, clinical studies show that Icosapent Ethyl does not raise your low-density lipoprotein (LDL or 'bad') cholesterol levels, unlike some other omega-3 products. Talk to your doctor.
Unusual bruising, frequent nosebleeds, or bleeding gums can be signs of an increased risk of bleeding. You should report these symptoms to your healthcare provider right away. Talk to your doctor.
You should limit or avoid alcohol, as drinking alcohol can raise your triglyceride levels and decrease the overall effectiveness of your treatment. Talk to your doctor.
The safety of Icosapent Ethyl during pregnancy is not fully established. If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, you should discuss the risks and benefits with your healthcare provider. Talk to your doctor.
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