TY - JOUR
T1 - Safety and efficacy of Omacor in severe hypertriglyceridemia
AU - Harris, William S.
AU - Ginsberg, Henry N.
AU - Arunakul, Narin
AU - Shachter, Neil S.
AU - Windsor, Sheryl L.
AU - Adams, Marian
AU - Berglund, Lars
AU - Osmundsen, Karin
PY - 1997
Y1 - 1997
N2 - Background Severe hypertriglyceridemia is a risk factor for acute pancreatitis, therefore decreasing serum triglyceride concentrations is an important component of risk management. Omega-3 fatty acids are well known hypotriglyceridemic agents, but their efficacy in severe forms of the disorder is not well documented. Our objective was to examine the effects of Omacor, a drug composed of 85% omega-3 fatty acid ethyl esters. Methods Forty-two patients with triglyceride concentrations between 5.65 and 22.60 mmol/l (500 and 2000mg/dl) were studied in a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of Omacor (4g/day for 4 months). Results Compared with baseline values, Omacor significantly reduced mean triglyceride concentrations by 45% (P < 0.00001), cholesterol by 15% (P < 0.001), very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol by 32% (P < 0.0001) and cholesterol: high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol ratio by 20% (P = 0.0013), and increased HDL cholesterol by 13% (P = 0.014) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol by 31% (P = 0.0014). The placebo had no effect on these parameters. Omacor was well tolerated and no patient discontinued medication because of side effects. Conclusions Four capsules of Omacor per day markedly decreased triglyceride concentrations in patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia. The availability of a potent and safe omega-3 fatty acid preparation for this patient population should diminish the risk for acute pancreatitis, and may also reduce the long-term risk for cardiovascular disease.
AB - Background Severe hypertriglyceridemia is a risk factor for acute pancreatitis, therefore decreasing serum triglyceride concentrations is an important component of risk management. Omega-3 fatty acids are well known hypotriglyceridemic agents, but their efficacy in severe forms of the disorder is not well documented. Our objective was to examine the effects of Omacor, a drug composed of 85% omega-3 fatty acid ethyl esters. Methods Forty-two patients with triglyceride concentrations between 5.65 and 22.60 mmol/l (500 and 2000mg/dl) were studied in a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of Omacor (4g/day for 4 months). Results Compared with baseline values, Omacor significantly reduced mean triglyceride concentrations by 45% (P < 0.00001), cholesterol by 15% (P < 0.001), very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol by 32% (P < 0.0001) and cholesterol: high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol ratio by 20% (P = 0.0013), and increased HDL cholesterol by 13% (P = 0.014) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol by 31% (P = 0.0014). The placebo had no effect on these parameters. Omacor was well tolerated and no patient discontinued medication because of side effects. Conclusions Four capsules of Omacor per day markedly decreased triglyceride concentrations in patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia. The availability of a potent and safe omega-3 fatty acid preparation for this patient population should diminish the risk for acute pancreatitis, and may also reduce the long-term risk for cardiovascular disease.
KW - Docosahexaenoic acid
KW - Eicosapentaenoic acid
KW - Fish oil
KW - Hypertriglyceridemia
KW - Pancreatitis
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0031425356&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0031425356&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1097/00043798-199710000-00011
DO - 10.1097/00043798-199710000-00011
M3 - Article
C2 - 9865671
AN - SCOPUS:0031425356
SN - 1350-6277
VL - 4
SP - 385
EP - 391
JO - Journal of Cardiovascular Risk
JF - Journal of Cardiovascular Risk
IS - 5
ER -