Omega-3-Carboxylic Acids

WikiDoc Resources for Omega-3-Carboxylic Acids
Articles
Most recent articles on Omega-3-Carboxylic Acids Most cited articles on Omega-3-Carboxylic Acids Review articles on Omega-3-Carboxylic Acids Articles on Omega-3-Carboxylic Acids in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ
Media
Powerpoint slides on Omega-3-Carboxylic Acids Images of Omega-3-Carboxylic Acids Photos of Omega-3-Carboxylic Acids Podcasts & MP3s on Omega-3-Carboxylic Acids Videos on Omega-3-Carboxylic Acids
Evidence Based Medicine
Cochrane Collaboration on Omega-3-Carboxylic Acids Bandolier on Omega-3-Carboxylic Acids TRIP on Omega-3-Carboxylic Acids
Clinical Trials
Ongoing Trials on Omega-3-Carboxylic Acids at Clinical Trials.gov Trial results on Omega-3-Carboxylic Acids Clinical Trials on Omega-3-Carboxylic Acids at Google
Guidelines / Policies / Govt
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Omega-3-Carboxylic Acids NICE Guidance on Omega-3-Carboxylic Acids NHS PRODIGY Guidance FDA on Omega-3-Carboxylic Acids CDC on Omega-3-Carboxylic Acids
Books
Books on Omega-3-Carboxylic Acids
News
Omega-3-Carboxylic Acids in the news Be alerted to news on Omega-3-Carboxylic Acids News trends on Omega-3-Carboxylic Acids
Commentary
Blogs on Omega-3-Carboxylic Acids
Definitions
Definitions of Omega-3-Carboxylic Acids
Patient Resources / Community
Patient resources on Omega-3-Carboxylic Acids Discussion groups on Omega-3-Carboxylic Acids Patient Handouts on Omega-3-Carboxylic Acids Directions to Hospitals Treating Omega-3-Carboxylic Acids Risk calculators and risk factors for Omega-3-Carboxylic Acids
Healthcare Provider Resources
Symptoms of Omega-3-Carboxylic Acids Causes & Risk Factors for Omega-3-Carboxylic Acids Diagnostic studies for Omega-3-Carboxylic Acids Treatment of Omega-3-Carboxylic Acids
Continuing Medical Education (CME)
CME Programs on Omega-3-Carboxylic Acids
International
Omega-3-Carboxylic Acids en Espanol Omega-3-Carboxylic Acids en Francais
Business
Omega-3-Carboxylic Acids in the Marketplace Patents on Omega-3-Carboxylic Acids
Experimental / Informatics
List of terms related to Omega-3-Carboxylic Acids

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Epanova is an FDA approved prescription medication used alongside a low fat and low cholesterol diet that lowers high triglyceride (fat) levels in adults. Epanova is the third prescription formulation of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid approved in the United States but the first in free fatty acid form. It is derived from fish oil and an ultra pure mixture of the free fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). The drug contains a concentration of DHA at 15-25 % and a concentration of EPA at 50-60%. The active ingredient of Epanova is a mixture of these free fatty acids derived from crude marine fish oil - a natural occurring substance. Template:Weasel inline compared to any other prescription omega-3 medication in the world, Epanova has a dosing option as few as two capsules once a day. AstraZeneca, the company that developed Epanova, is commercializing the drug in the United States as a prescription monotherapy for patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia and eventually hopes to make the drug the world standard in global health for treating hypertriglyceridemia.

Medical Uses

Epanova has been shown to be effective in treating hypertriglyceridemia. Approximately 4 million American adults have hypertriglyceridemia - a condition where fat accumulates in the blood. More specifically, these patients have high levels of triglycerides, fats carried in the blood with lipoproteins, above 200 mg/dL leading to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The disease stems from both genetic and environmental factors including obesity, high-caloric diet and a sedentary lifestyle. The prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia is rapidly increasing across the United States and throughout the world. A National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey suggests that the “percentage of patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia has risen sharply along with the dramatic increases in obesity.” According to Dr. Briggs Morrison, the Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer for AstraZeneca, “The FDA approval of EPANOVA is good news for the significant and growing population with severe hypertriglyceridemia as it offers physicians and their patients an important new treatment option that has been proven to be effective in clinical trials.”

Clinical Trials

Epanova was FDA approved in May 2014 following successful clinical trials that illustrated the drug’s effectiveness in treating hypertriglyceridemia. Specifically, this approval was based on two pharmacokinetic and Phase 3 trials often referred as EVOLVE (Epanova for Lowering Very High triglycerides) and ESPRIT (Epanova combined with a Statin in Patients with Hypertriglyceridemia to Reduce Non-HDL Cholesterol ). These trials were conducted in 6–12 weeks in a randomized and controlled group setting with 399 participants for the EVOLVE trial and 647 participants for the ESPRIT trial to test the efficacy of the drug. Ultimately, the trials concluded that triglyceride levels were in fact lowered across the groups after taking Epanova.

Benefits

Epanova effectively reduces triglyceride levels in adult patients. Other benefits of Epanova include a more consistent absorption rate compared to similar drugs, and a lower dosage for full effects.

Side Effects

There are safety concerns to consider while using Epanova such as close monitoring in therapy, and special caution should be taken with patients with fish and shellfish allergies. In addition, Epanova have experienced prolonged bleeding time, diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, and or eructation (burping). There have also been cases of increased LDL cholesterol levels.