Fish oil supplements are used to treat various conditions and are used to promote overall health. While taking fish oil supplements you may experience some adverse reactions, allergic reactions or side effects. If you experience any reactions while taking fish oil supplements, talk to your doctor before continuing supplementation. A severe allergic reaction may occur if you are allergic to fish proteins. Fish oil supplements are not advised for use with people who suffer from a fish allergy, according to drugs.com.
General Side Effects
General side effects that you may experience while taking fish oil supplements include bad breath, nausea, loose stools, belching, heartburn, rashes and nosebleeds, according to MedlinePlus. To reduce these side effects, try freezing the supplement before use and take the pill with meals. Talk to your doctor before using fish oil pills if you have liver disease, bipolar disorder or suffer from depression as the supplement may increase symptoms.
Over-Usage Consideration
Over-using fish oil supplements can damage your body and cause various adverse reactions. MedlinePlus states that any more than 3 grams of fish oil a day is considered dangerous. Using more than 3 grams of fish oil a day may keep the blood from clotting by thinning it out. High doses may also reduce your immune system's effectiveness, especially for people who have been diagnosed with an auto-immune disorder or disease. Too much fish oil can also lead to increased levels of LDL, or bad, cholesterol and should not be used by people with high blood pressure.
Allergic Reaction
An allergic reaction is unlikely, but could occur if you are allergic to fish. Although most of the fish proteins are removed from fish oil supplements, by-products or small traces of the proteins may be found. This can lead to common fish-allergy symptoms, such as nasal congestion, chest pain, sneezing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, hives and other skin rashes, according to MayoClinic.com.
Conditions
Fish oil may cause complications with certain conditions. Talk with your doctor if you've been diagnosed with liver disease, a pancreas disorder, diabetes or an underactive thyroid, according to Drugs.com. If you are pregnant, could get pregnant or are breast feeding, you should take caution when using fish oil supplements. Do not use fish oil supplements if you drink more than two alcoholic beverages a day, as this can cause adverse reactions.
Anaphylaxis Warning
A severe allergic reaction can lead to death if not treated promptly. Call 911 if you experience lightheadedness, hives, difficulty breathing and a sudden drop in blood pressure. During a severe allergic reaction your body undergoes physical stress that increases your heart rate, but decreases its strength.
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