Important Safety Information for LOVAZA® (omega-3-acid ethyl esters)
Tell your doctor if you are allergic to fish or shellfish as LOVAZA may not be right for you. Talk to your doctor about any medical conditions you have and any medications you are taking, especially those that may increase your risk of bleeding. Click to see complete Important Safety Information below
font size
What Are Triglycerides?
Triglycerides are a type of fat found in your blood. Triglycerides are stored in your fat cells. When you eat, some of the calories you consume are used for energy, and others are converted to triglycerides and stored. They are released between meals when you need energy.
What Is the Difference Between Triglycerides and Cholesterol?
Cholesterol and triglycerides are both medical terms describing types of fat in your blood. Cholesterol is used to build cells and certain hormones; it is found naturally in the body and in foods you eat and is only needed in small amounts.
LOVAZA, along with diet, is indicated to lower very high triglycerides (≥500 mg/dL) in adult patients. It has not been shown to prevent heart attack or stroke. If left untreated, very high triglycerides can lead to future health problems.
Information about cholesterol is provided for your education only. Talk to your doctor about the difference between your triglyceride and cholesterol numbers.
What You Should Know About Triglycerides
Here's what you need to know about triglycerides:
- Everyone has triglycerides
- If you eat more calories than your body burns on a regular basis, your triglycerides might become too high
- If you have other health problems like diabetes and high cholesterol, you might be at risk for having very high triglycerides
- There are things you can do to help lower your very high triglycerides
For more information about terms related to triglycerides definition, see the Glossary.
What Are Normal Versus Very High Triglyceride Levels?
Normal triglycerides are less than 150 mg/dL. Very high triglycerides are 500 mg/dL or higher. Here are the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) guidelines for normal to very high triglyceride levels:
Should I Be Concerned about Very High Triglycerides?
It is important to be aware of very high triglycerides. When triglycerides are very high (500 mg/dL or higher), it means there is too much fat in the blood; this is a serious medical condition. It is important to be aware of your triglyceride number as having very high triglycerides can put you at risk for future health problems.
How Do I Know if I Have Very High Triglycerides?
Your doctor can measure your triglyceride level with a blood test. This blood test is part of a lipid profile that also checks your cholesterol levels.
You might be at risk for very high triglyceride levels if you have other health problems like:
- High cholesterol
- Overweight or obese
- Diabetes
Take your triglyceride number seriously. It is important to know if you have very high triglyceride levels. Learn the risk factors that may apply to you. A healthy diet and medication may help lower your very high triglyceride levels. Talk to your doctor about treatment options.
Related Content:
- Get Some Facts About Very High Triglycerides
- Learn the Risk Factors for Very High Triglycerides
Important Safety Information for LOVAZA® (omega-3-acid ethyl esters)
Tell your doctor if you are allergic to fish or shellfish as LOVAZA may not be right for you.
Talk to your doctor about any medical conditions you have and any medications you are taking, especially those that may increase your risk of bleeding. In some patients, LDL (bad) cholesterol may increase. Your healthcare provider should do blood tests before and during treatment with LOVAZA to check your cholesterol and triglyceride levels. If you have liver disease, you may require additional monitoring.
Possible side effects include burping, upset stomach, and change in sense of taste.
How supplied: 1-gram capsule
Indication Statement for LOVAZA® (omega-3-acid ethyl esters)
LOVAZA is used along with a low-fat and low-cholesterol diet to lower very high triglycerides (fats) in your blood. Before taking LOVAZA, talk to your healthcare provider about how you can lower high blood fats by losing weight, if you are overweight, increasing physical exercise, lowering alcohol use, treating diseases such as diabetes and low thyroid (hypothyroidism), and adjusting the dose or changing other medicines that raise triglyceride levels such as certain blood pressure medicines and estrogens. Treatment with LOVAZA has not been shown to prevent heart attacks or strokes.
For more information about LOVAZA, please see the Patient Information or full Prescribing Information.
