Brand Name: Omacor®
Active Ingredient: omega-3-acid ethyl esters
Strength(s): 1 gram
Dosage Form(s): Capsule
Company Name: Reliant Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Availability: Prescription only
Date Approved by FDA: November 10, 2004

What is Omacor used for?    

Omacor is used along with diet to lower very high triglyceride levels in adult patients. Before taking Omacor, your health care provider should help you try to control your high triglyceride level by:        

• exercising and losing weight if you are overweight

• decreasing alcohol use

• controlling medical problems that can cause high triglyceride levels (such as diabetes  mellitus and hypothyroidism)

•  stopping or changing medicines that can increase triglyceride levels (such as estrogens, thiazide diuretics, beta blockers)

It is important to follow the diet recommended by your health care provider when taking Omacor.  Omacor has not been studied in children less than 18 years of age.

Who should not take Omacor?         

Do not take Omacor if you are allergic to Omacor or to any of the ingredients in Omacor.

General Precautions with Omacor:

Omacor should be used with caution in patients allergic to fish.

What should I tell my health care provider?

Tell your health care provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:

•  have liver problems

• are pregnant, are trying to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. 

Tell your health care provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.  Omacor and other medicines may affect each other, causing serious side effects. Especially tell your health care provider if you take blood thinners.  If you take both Omacor and a blood thinner, your health care provider should check you occasionally to see if an effect has occurred.

What are some possible side effects of Omacor? (This is not a complete list of side effects reported with Omacor. Your health care provider can discuss with you a more complete list of side effects.)  

Side effects with Omacor include:

• belching

•  infection

• flu symptoms

• upset stomach

• rash

• change in your sense of taste

Date created: December 29, 2004