Eicosapentaenoic acid (purified omega-3)
Icosapent ethyl
Brand names: Vazkepa
Adult dose
Dose: 2g PO BD with food
Route: PO
Frequency: BD
Clinical pearls
- Reduces CV events in statin-treated patients with elevated triglycerides (NICE TA805)
- REDUCE-IT trial — note increased AF risk
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to fish/shellfish or soya (some formulations)
Side effects
- Atrial fibrillation
- Bleeding (mild)
- Peripheral oedema
- GI upset
- Musculoskeletal pain
Interactions
- Antiplatelets/anticoagulants (bleeding risk)
Monitoring
- Lipids
- Symptoms of AF/bleeding
Reference: BNF; NICE TA805; REDUCE-IT trial; https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/icosapent-ethyl/. Verify against your local formulary and the latest BNF before prescribing.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
Calculators
Pathways
- Acute Heart Failure · ESC 2021 Heart Failure Guidelines; NICE NG106
- NSTEMI / Unstable Angina · ESC 2020 NSTEMI Guidelines; NICE NG185
- New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation · ESC 2020 AF Guidelines; NICE NG196
- Hypertensive Emergency · ESC/ESH 2018 Hypertension Guidelines; NICE NG136
- Bradycardia Management · Resuscitation Council UK ABCDE; ESC 2021 Pacing Guidelines
- Ventricular Tachycardia / Fibrillation · Resuscitation Council UK ACLS; ESC 2022 Ventricular Arrhythmia Guidelines