Fish oil is generally considered a safe supplement and is sold over the counter without a prescription. The supplement contains high amounts of essential fatty acids. The body does not produce these omega-3 fatty acids, and you must receive them through diet or supplements. Many people consume fish oil for its highly regarded heart and cardiovascular benefits. Fish oil also has a variety of possible side effects. Speak to your doctor before adding the supplement into your daily nutritional mix.
Bleeding
Fish oil naturally increases the time your blood will form a clot. If you injure yourself, you may notice longer bleeding times. Additional symptoms include dark bruises on the skin, blood in your urine or stool, and nosebleeds. In rare situations, a blood vessel in your brain may rupture, causing internal brain bleeding leading to a hemorrhagic stroke, the University of Maryland Medical Center notes.
Gastrointestinal Effects
Taking fish oil may upset your stomach, MayoClinic.com warns. Additional effects include diarrhea, acid reflux, stomach bloating and pain. Decrease these side effects by taking the supplement with food. Take a small amount of fish oil and gradually increase the amount of the supplement taken daily, MayoClinic.com suggests.
Fish Odor
Fish oil supplements often cause an unpleasant side effect --- fishy burps. To avoid this, take your supplement with food to mask the odor. Food also helps absorb the fish oil into the body. MayoClinic.com suggests switching brands to find one that works well with your body if you continue to experience the fishlike odor. Some brands are marketed as "odor-free" formulas and may not produce as strong of an odor. These formulas are often enteric-coated capsules that do not digest until they reach the intestines. Freezing the capsules may create a time-release capsule and decrease the effect.
Additional Warnings
Fish oil may interact with anti-coagulant medications. Fish oil and drugs such as warfarin, heparin and aspirin are blood-thinning. Taking one of these drugs with fish oil increases your risk of excessive bleeding. Fish oil may also decrease your blood pressure. Take caution when also using an anti-hypertensive drug, as the combination may drop your blood pressure to unhealthy levels. Signs of low blood pressure include fatigue, confusion, lightheadedness and loss of consciousness. Avoid fish oil if you also suffer from seafood allergies; you may also have an allergic reaction when taking the supplement. Signs of a reaction include difficulty breathing, swelling of the throat, tongue or lips, and hives on the skin, Drugs.com reports.
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