Most people focus on the effects of low-density lipoproteins, the portion of cholesterol classified as "bad" when too much of it exists in a person's body. Another part of the cholesterol levels, triglycerides, have begun to garner more attention. Medicines such as omega-3-acid ethyl esters work to reduce the triglyceride levels in the blood, MayoClinic.com reports. Triglycerides or fatty substances can clog the blood vessels and cause medical problems such as strokes, heart attacks and high blood pressure. These types of medicines can cause some serious side effects.
Arrhythmia
Taking omega-3-acid ethyl esters to reduce the triglyceride levels can cause the person to experience changes in the heart rate that classify as serious common side effects of the drugs. The person may develop an irregular heartbeat when taking omega-3-acid ethyl esters, which can cause discomfort and can lead to other cardiovascular problems. The person also may experience tachycardia, an acceleration of the heart rate beyond the upper limit of 100 beats per minute at rest. This can increase blood pressure and put significant strain on the person's heart. MayoClinic.com recommends contacting a physician immediately if any arrhythmia develops while taking these types of medications.
Breathing Problems
Omega-3-acid ethyl esters can induce breathing problems as serious side effects. The person may feel a tightness in the chest, or he may labor to breathe sufficiently, MayoClinic.com reports. He may feel unable to gain enough air through breathing, a condition called shortness of breath. The medicine also may make him produce a whining sound when he exhales air, known as wheezing. All of these classify as serious problems requiring immediate medical attention.
Pain
The person using omega-3-acid ethyl esters may experience pain indicative of serious medical problems, MayoClinic.com reports. Pain may develop in the person's jaw, in the arms or in the back. Drugs.com states pain in the back may only occur when the person begins using the medicine, then fade and disappear. In order to avoid potentially serious problems, the omega-3-acid ethyl esters user should question a doctor about any pain associated with taking the drugs.
Flu-Like Syndrome
Flu-like syndrome occurs with many medicines, usually at the start of treatment. Omega-3-acid ethyl esters can produce this problem as a side effect early in the treatment, Drugs.com indicates. The condition, not classified as serious, causes the person to experience symptoms of the flu without actually having such an infection. The person may have aches in the muscles, feel overly tired, develop nasal congestion, feel throat soreness and notice a rise in body temperature or a fever. In most cases, flu-like syndrome will stop without intervention from a doctor.
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