By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Medical Information, Documents, News - TheMediTary.Com Logo Medical Information, Documents, News - TheMediTary.Com Logo

TheMediTary.Com

Medical Information, Documents, News - TheMediTary.Com

  • Home
  • News
  • Drugs
  • Drugs A-Z
  • Medical Answers
  • About Us
  • Contact
Medical Information, Documents, News - TheMediTary.Com Logo Medical Information, Documents, News - TheMediTary.Com Logo
Search Drugs
  • Drugs
    • Latest Drugs
    • Drugs A-Z
    • Medical Answers
  • News
    • FDA Alerts
    • Medical News
    • Health
    • Consumer Updates
    • Children's Health
  • More TheMediTary.Com
    • About Us
    • Contact
Follow US
Home > Drugs > Miscellaneous antihyperlipidemic agents > Vascepa
Miscellaneous antihyperlipidemic agents

Vascepa

https://themeditary.com/drug/vascepa-749.html
Medically Reviewed by Sophia Entringer, PharmD TheMediTary.Com | Reviewed: Jul 12, 2023  Additional Content by TheMediTary.Com

Generic name: icosapent [ eye-koe-sa-pent ]

Drug class: Miscellaneous antihyperlipidemic agents

Dosage form: capsule

Availability: Prescription only

Pregnancy & Lactation: Risk data available

Brand names: Icosapent

Contents
Uses Warnings Before Taking Dosage Side effects Interactions FAQ
  • Vascepa (Icosapent [ eye-koe-sa-pent ])-VASCEPA-1 gram-Brown-Capsule-shape Vascepa 1 gram (VASCEPA)
  • Vascepa (Icosapent [ eye-koe-sa-pent ])-V500-0.5 g-Yellow-Oval Vascepa 0.5 g (V500)
  • View all images

What is Vascepa?

Vascepa works in the liver and bloodstream to reduce very low-density triglycerides.

Vascepa is used together with other medicines (such as statins) to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and some types of heart problems that need hospitalization in adults.

Vascepa is used together with a low-fat and low-cholesterol diet to reduce triglycerides (fats) in adults with severely high triglycerides.

It is not known whether Vascepa will lower your risk of pancreatitis (inflammation of your pancreas).

Warnings

Before you take Vascepa, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, diabetes, a thyroid disorder, pancreas problems, a bleeding or blood-clotting disorder, an allergy to fish or shellfish, or if you drink large quantities of alcohol.

Vascepa is only part of a treatment program that may also include diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your doctor's instructions very closely.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Vascepa if you are allergic to icosapent.

To make sure Vascepa is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

  • liver disease;

  • diabetes;

  • a thyroid disorder;

  • problems with your pancreas;

  • a bleeding or blood-clotting disorder; or

  • if you are allergic to fish or shellfish.

It is not known whether icosapent will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Icosapent can pass into breast milk, and may harm your baby. Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding.

Vascepa is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

Vascepa pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (more detail)

How should I take Vascepa

Vascepa is usually taken 2 times per day. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Take with food.

Swallow the capsule whole and do not crush, chew, break, or open it.

You will need frequent blood tests.

Vascepa is only part of a complete treatment program that may also include diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Hypertriglyceridemia:

2 g orally twice a day with food

Comments:
-Patients should be placed on an appropriate lipid-lowering diet and exercise regimen before initiating therapy and should continue this diet and exercise regimen during therapy.

Uses:
-As an adjunct to diet to reduce triglyceride (TG) levels in patients with severe (500 mg/dL or greater) hypertriglyceridemia.
-As an adjunct to maximally tolerated statin therapy to reduce the risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, coronary revascularization, and unstable angina requiring hospitalization in adult patients with triglyceride levels of 150 mg/dL or higher and established cardiovascular disease or diabetes mellitus and 2 or more additional risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Usual Adult Dose for Cardiovascular Risk Reduction:

2 g orally twice a day with food

Comments:
-Patients should be placed on an appropriate lipid-lowering diet and exercise regimen before initiating therapy and should continue this diet and exercise regimen during therapy.

Uses:
-As an adjunct to diet to reduce triglyceride (TG) levels in patients with severe (500 mg/dL or greater) hypertriglyceridemia.
-As an adjunct to maximally tolerated statin therapy to reduce the risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, coronary revascularization, and unstable angina requiring hospitalization in adult patients with triglyceride levels of 150 mg/dL or higher and established cardiovascular disease or diabetes mellitus and 2 or more additional risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Detailed Vascepa dosage information
Vascepa Dosage information (more detail)

Before Taking

You should not use Vascepa if you are allergic to icosapent.

To make sure Vascepa is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

  • liver disease;

  • diabetes;

  • a thyroid disorder;

  • problems with your pancreas;

  • a bleeding or blood-clotting disorder; or

  • if you are allergic to fish or shellfish.

It is not known whether icosapent will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Icosapent can pass into breast milk, and may harm your baby. Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding.

Vascepa is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

Vascepa pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (more detail)

Related/similar drugs

Praluent, Ozempic, rosuvastatin, Xarelto, simvastatin, Trulicity, fenofibrate

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while using Vascepa?

Avoid eating foods that are high in fat or cholesterol. Vascepa will not be as effective in lowering your cholesterol if you do not follow a cholesterol lowering diet plan.

Vascepa side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Vascepa: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • fast or irregular heartbeats, dizziness, shortness of breath, chest discomfort, fainting, or if you feel light-headed; or

  • serious bleeding.

Common Vascepa side effects may include:

  • muscle or joint pain;

  • constipation;

  • swelling of the hands, legs, or feet.

  • gout; or

  • chest pressure, racing or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, feeling short of breath.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See more: Vascepa Side Effects

What other drugs will affect Vascepa?

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

  • a blood thinner - warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with icosapent, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Popular FAQ

Does Vascepa thin your blood?
Does Vascepa cause hair loss?
Can Vascepa help with weight loss?
How long does it take Vascepa to work?

More about Vascepa (Icosapent [ eye-koe-sa-pent ])

Dosage information
Vascepa Side Effects
Patient tips
During pregnancy
Vascepa Prescribing Information
Drug images
Side effects
Drug class: Miscellaneous antihyperlipidemic agents

Related treatment guides

Cardiovascular Risk Reduction
Hypertriglyceridemia
Share this Article
Contents
Uses Warnings Before Taking Dosage Side effects Interactions FAQ
Related Drugs
Fidanacogene Elaparvovec
Cerave Anti-Itch
Centrum Adult
Crovalimab
Cyltezo Prefilled Syringe
Zepbound Pen
Mylanta One
Uretron Ds
Medihoney Wound And Burn Dressing
Lidotrode

Other drugs

Name Drug Class Updated
Fidanacogene Elaparvovec Drugs 03-Oct-2024
Cerave Anti-Itch Drugs 02-Oct-2024
Centrum Adult Drugs 02-Oct-2024
Crovalimab Drugs 02-Oct-2024
Cyltezo Prefilled Syringe Drugs 01-Oct-2024
Zepbound Pen Drugs 30-Sep-2024
Mylanta One Drugs 27-Sep-2024
Uretron Ds Drugs 27-Sep-2024
Medihoney Wound And Burn Dressing Drugs 26-Sep-2024
Lidotrode Drugs 26-Sep-2024
Libervant Drugs 26-Sep-2024
Moderna Covid-19 Drugs 25-Sep-2024
Beqvez Drugs 24-Sep-2024
Beqvez Drugs 24-Sep-2024
Beqvez Drugs 24-Sep-2024

Categories

  • FDA Alerts
  • Medical News
  • Health
  • Consumer Updates
  • Children's Health

About US

Welcome to TheMediTary.Com

Our website provides reliable and up-to-date information on various medical topics. We empower individuals to take charge of their health by simplifying complex medical jargon and providing practical tips and advice. We prioritize the privacy and confidentiality of our users and welcome feedback to improve our services.

Website use data of FDA and other sources

DMCA.com Protection Status Truste Protection Status Trust Mark Protection Status
HONcode logo We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information.
Quick Link
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Disclaimer
  • DMCA
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  • Sitemap
  • Care Notes
  • Health Guide
  • Professional
Drugs
  • New Drugs
  • Medical Answers
  • Drugs A-Z
  • Drug Classes
  • Drug Dosage
  • Pill Identifier
  • Consumer Infor
  • Side Effects
  • Inactive Ingredients
  • Pregnancy Warnings
  • Patient Tips
  • Treatments
News
  • Latest News
  • FDA Alerts
  • Medical News
  • Health
  • Consumer Updates
  • Children's Health
Find US
  • Medium
  • Google Site
  • Blogspot
  • API
  • Reddit
  • Tumblr
  • Scoop.it
  • Substack
  • Wordpress
  • Wix
  • Behance

© 2025 TheMediTary.Com All rights reserved. Operated by