Hormonal
EPA-only prescription omega-3s (Icosapent Ethyl) do not raise LDL cholesterol in patients with very high triglycerides, whereas EPA+DHA combinations may increase LDL-C by 15-36%.
If you are taking prescription omega-3s for high triglycerides, ask your doctor if your medication contains only EPA or both EPA and DHA. EPA-only options (like Vascepa) do not raise your LDL ('bad') cholesterol, whereas combinations (like Lovaza) might increase it by 15-36%. This distinction is important for your overall cardiovascular risk.
In patients with VHTG treated with prescription EPA+DHA products, LDL-C increased by ≈15% to 36%... In patients with VHTG (triglycerides, 500–2000 mg/dL), treatment with IPE did not raise LDL-C
Why this rating
Based on multiple studies comparing different formulations.
Source
Omega-3 Fatty Acids for the Management of Hypertriglyceridemia: A Science Advisory From the American Heart Association
Ann C. Skulas‐Ray et al. · Circulation · 2019
DOI 10.1161/cir.0000000000000709
More from this paper
- Prescription omega-3s (4 g/d EPA-only) reduce major adverse cardiovascular events by 25% in high-risk patients with hypertriglyceridemia who are already taking statins.Strong
- Prescription omega-3 fatty acids (EPA+DHA or EPA-only) at a dose of 4 g/d reduce triglycerides by 30-35% in patients with very high triglycerides (≥500 mg/dL) and by approximately 27% in those with high triglycerides (200-499 mg/dL).Good
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