Omega-3 fatty acids are valued for their anti-inflammatory effects. Adding more of this essential fatty acid to your diet can help protect your heart from disease and may reduce your risk of having a stroke or heart attack. Before taking omega-3 fatty acid supplements, talk with your doctor about the potential drug interaction associated with this fatty acid.
Blood-Thinning Drugs
Omega-3 fatty acid supplements may increase the effects of certain blood thinners, including clopedigrel, warfarin and aspirin. However, using omega-3 fatty acids in conjunction with aspirin may benefit your heart under certain circumstances. To determine what medication combinations are appropriate for you, consult your doctor.
Diabetes Drugs
Treatment with omega-3 fatty acids may elevate your blood sugar levels, which can be problematic if you have diabetes. If you're taking a diabetes medication, such as insulin, glyburide or glucophage, your physician may need to increase your daily treatment dose to counteract the effects this fatty acid supplement has on your blood sugar levels.
Birth Control Pills
Supplements that contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish oil, can interact with birth control pills. Women taking birth control pills should be aware that this type of medication may reduce the cholesterol-lowering effects of fatty acid supplements.
Blood Pressure Lowering Drugs
Omega-3 fatty acid-rich supplements shouldn't be used in conjunction with blood pressure lowering drugs, such as losartan, hydrochlorothiazide or furosemide. This treatment combination may cause your blood pressure to drop to significantly low levels, which may result in headache, dizziness, blurred vision or fainting.
Beneficial Drug Interactions
Treatment with omega-3 fatty acids in combination with certain drugs actually may be beneficial. Health professionals with the University of Maryland Medical Center report that taking omega-3 fatty acids with cholesterol-lowering drugs, such as atorvastatin, simvastatin and lovastatin, may improve the effects of these medications. Omega-3 fatty acids may also reduce the risk of ulcers following prolonged treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including ibuprofen. If you're taking cyclosporine, you may experience a reduction in your side effects if you take this medication with omega-3 fatty acid supplements. Additionally, treatment with omega-3 fatty acid may improve the effectiveness of psoriasis drugs, such as topical steroids and etretinate.
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