Fish oil supplements are sold over the counter with no prescription required. Though consumers have easy access to the supplement, fish oil capsules should be taken with caution. There are serious side effects and drug interactions associated with taking the popular supplement. Fish oil is often taken for its high levels of omega-3 fatty acids that have a variety of heart-health benefits, advises the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Bleeding
Fish oil increases the time it takes your blood to form a clot. The supplement should not be taken in doses of more than 3 g, unless approved by a medical doctor. People who suffer from bleeding disorders are also advised to avoid the supplement. When taking in higher doses, your blood may take longer to stick together and form a clot. You may notice your skin bruises quicker. Urine may have traces of blood in it and you may suffer from nosebleeds more often. In rare circumstances, bleeding in the brain can occur, also known as hemorrhagic stroke, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Drug Interactions
Anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications also decrease blood-clotting time. Taking these medications and fish oil supplements together is not advised, unless directly recommended by your health care provider. Examples of blood thinning medications include warfarin, heparin, aspirin and clopidogrel. Fish also slightly decreases blood pressure. Combining blood pressure medications, or antihypertensive drugs, with fish oil supplements can cause your blood pressure to decline to unhealthy levels. Examples of blood pressure medications include captopril, enalapril, losartan and diltiazem. Both oral birth control pills and the weight loss medication Orlistat may interfere with fish oil absorption. Choose a different method of birth control and do not take fish oil within two hours of taking Orlistat, advises MedlinePlus.com.
Allergic Reactions
If you are allergic to shellfish or other forms of seafood, be cautious when also taking fish oil supplements, advises MedlinePlus. Though no research is available pinpointing the likelihood of an allergic reaction, it is important to be aware an allergic reaction may still occur.
Additional Warnings
Though not hazardous, the most common side effect when taking fish oil supplements are fishy belches and burps. The side effect can cause embarrassment. Always take fish oil with food to buffer the fish-like aftertaste. Freezing the supplements may create a natural time-release capsule, advises MayoClinic.com. Additional safety concerns related to fish oil include the increase of depression symptoms, increase of bipolar symptoms and lowering of your body's immune response, reports MedlinePlus. Patients who have a defibrillator implanted should not take fish oil supplements. According to MedlinePlus, some research indicated fish oil may increase the occurrence of irregular heartbeats in people with the implanted mechanism.
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