Omega-3-acid ethyl esters

Omega-3-acid ethyl esters
Chemical structure of ethyl eicosapentaenoate, an important omega-3-acid ethyl ester
Combination of
Ethyl eicosapentaenoic acidAntilipemic agent
Ethyl docosahexaenoic acidAntilipemic agent
Clinical data
Trade namesLovaza, Omtryg, others
AHFS/Drugs.comMonograph
License data
Pregnancy
category
Routes of
administration		By mouth
ATC code
  • None
Legal status
Legal status
  • UK: POM (Prescription only)[2]
  • US: ℞-only
  • In general: ℞ (Prescription only)
Identifiers
CAS Number
PubChem SID
DrugBank
UNII
KEGG
ChEMBL

Omega-3-acid ethyl esters are a mixture of ethyl eicosapentaenoic acid and ethyl docosahexaenoic acid, which are ethyl esters of the omega−3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) found in fish oil.[3] Together with dietary changes, they are used to treat high blood triglycerides which may reduce the risk of pancreatitis.[3][4] They are generally less preferred than statins, and use is not recommended by NHS Scotland as the evidence does not support a decreased risk of heart disease.[3][5][6] Omega-3-acid ethyl esters are taken by mouth.[3]

Common side effects include burping, nausea, and an upset abdomen.[3][5] Serious side effects may include liver problems and anaphylaxis.[3] While use in pregnancy has not been well studied, some omega−3 fatty acids appear beneficial.[1] How it works is not entirely clear.[3]

Experts found a dose-dependent increase in the risk for atrial fibrillation in patients with cardiovascular diseases or cardiovascular risk factors who were being treated with omega-3-acid ethyl esters compared with those treated with placebo. The observed risk was at its highest at a dose of 4 g/d.[1]

Omega-3-acid ethyl ester medicines were approved for medical use in the European Union in 2000 and in the United States in 2004.[3][6][7] Beyond the branded prescription formulation, it is also available as a generic medication and over the counter.[3][5] In 2021, it was the 218th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 1 million prescriptions.[8][9]

  1. ^ a b "Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids Use During Pregnancy". Drugs.com. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference emc was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Omega-3-acid Ethyl Esters Monograph for Professionals". Drugs.com. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  4. ^ Karalis DG (February 2017). "A Review of Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Hypertriglyceridemia: A Focus on High Dose Omega-3 Fatty Acids". Advances in Therapy. 34 (2): 300–323. doi:10.1007/s12325-016-0462-y. PMC 5331085. PMID 27981496.
  5. ^ a b c British national formulary : BNF 76 (76 ed.). Pharmaceutical Press. 2018. pp. 206–207. ISBN 9780857113382.
  6. ^ a b "Omega-3 fatty acid medicines". European Medicines Agency. 17 September 2018. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  7. ^ "Drug Approval Package: Omacor (Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters) NDA #021654". U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 24 December 1999. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  8. ^ "The Top 300 of 2021". ClinCalc. Archived from the original on 15 January 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  9. ^ "Omega-3-acid Ethyl Esters - Drug Usage Statistics". ClinCalc. Retrieved 14 January 2024.