icosapent ethyl at a glance
Medicine class
Lipid-modifying agent; a stable ethyl ester of EPA.
Licensed role
Reduces cardiovascular risk in eligible statin-treated adults with raised triglycerides.
Administration
Take with or after food and swallow capsules whole.
Important cautions
Bleeding, atrial fibrillation or flutter, liver impairment and fish or shellfish allergy require consideration.
What is icosapent ethyl used for?
It is licensed with a statin to reduce cardiovascular events in adults with triglycerides of at least 1.7 mmol/L who are at high cardiovascular risk.
Adults with established cardiovascular disease.
Adults with diabetes and at least one additional cardiovascular risk factor.
How does icosapent ethyl work?
It is converted during absorption to EPA. Its cardiovascular effects are not completely understood, but probably involve reduced triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, endothelial, plaque-stabilising and antiplatelet effects.
How to take icosapent ethyl
Follow the prescriber's instructions.
Take the capsules with or following a meal.
Swallow them whole; do not break, crush, dissolve or chew them.
icosapent ethyl side effects
Common or expected effects
- Bleeding or easy bruising
- Swelling of the hands, arms, legs or feet
- Atrial fibrillation or flutter
- Constipation or burping
- Muscle, bone or joint pain
- Gout
- Rash
Get urgent medical advice
- Difficulty breathing, throat tightness, lip swelling, hives or other features of hypersensitivity
- Bleeding that is heavy or does not stop
- New palpitations or an irregular heartbeat, particularly with dizziness, breathlessness, fainting or chest discomfort
icosapent ethyl in pregnancy
Human pregnancy data are limited. Use is preferably avoided unless the expected benefit outweighs the potential fetal risk. Discuss pregnancy or plans to conceive with the prescriber.
icosapent ethyl while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether icosapent ethyl enters human milk, although EPA is present in breast milk. Risk to the infant cannot be excluded, so the prescriber should weigh the benefits of breastfeeding and treatment.
icosapent ethyl interactions
The main practical concern is an additive effect on bleeding.
Anticoagulants, including warfarin
Concurrent use may increase bleeding risk; periodic monitoring for bleeding is advised.
Antiplatelet medicines, including aspirin
Concurrent use may increase bleeding risk; monitor for bruising or bleeding.
Other oral products containing sorbitol or fructose
Combined exposure should be considered. Sorbitol may alter the absorption of some oral medicines.
Common questions about icosapent ethyl
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is icosapent ethyl the same as a fish-oil supplement?
No. It is a prescription, highly purified EPA derivative with a specific licensed cardiovascular indication; supplements should not be treated as interchangeable.
Why is it used with a statin?
Its licence is for additional cardiovascular-risk reduction in eligible adults already treated with a statin, rather than as a replacement.
Can people with fish or shellfish allergy take it?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.