Omega-3-acid ethyl esters belong to a group of drugs called antilipemic agents or lipid-regulating agents. Alternatively referred to as a type of omega-3 fatty acid supplement, the medication contains the same omega-3 fatty acids found naturally in fish, such as tuna, salmon, mackerel, herring and halibut. The pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline manufactures prescription-level omega-3-acid ethyl esters under the brand Lovaza, although the drug went by the name Omacor previously.
Significance of Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters
The human liver produces numerous fats, or lipids, including triglycerides, a kind of lipid that helps your body obtain the energy it needs from calories in food. Available only by prescription as of 2011, omega-3-acid ethyl esters help some people decrease the level of triglycerides in their blood. This is the main benefit of taking omega-3-acid ethyl esters, and it may result from the liver creating less fat due to the influence of the drug, explains the National Institutes of Health.
Related Benefits
Many health care specialists recommend monitoring your triglycerides because a high level in your bloodstream can increase your chances of developing life-threatening health problems. Triglycerides do not dissolve in blood, which allows the fat to build up inside arteries. This can harden or narrow the arteries, interfering with crucial blood flow to areas of your body. Doctors prescribe omega-3-acid ethyl esters for patients with an unusually high level of triglycerides. Reducing high triglyceride levels can decrease your probability of experiencing various dangerous medical conditions related to your heart, such as heart disease, heart attack, obesity, metabolic syndrome and stroke.
Lifestyle Requirements
To obtain the most benefits from the medication, people who take omega-3-acid ethyl esters to control their triglycerides need to modify their lifestyle as well. These changes should include regular exercise and a diet low in cholesterol and fat. Some health care professionals also recommend limiting sugar intake. Since very overweight people tend to have limited success with omega-3-acid ethyl esters, their doctor may suggest losing weight in order to help the drug produce better results.
Considerations
Individuals who take omega-3-acid ethyl esters should follow the exact regimen their doctor suggests. When you take the recommended amount of the drug at the recommended times and for the recommended duration, the medication is more likely to help you control your high triglycerides and improve your health. Omega-3-acid ethyl esters can also produce side effects in some people. They range from heartburn or nausea to pain in areas such as the arm, back, chest or jaw. The possibility of these symptoms emphasizes the importance of seeking guidance from a qualified health care professional both before and after starting treatment with omega-3-acid ethyl esters.
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