Cod liver oil is a specific form of fish oil. Like other forms of fish oil, it contains beneficial substances called omega-3 fatty acids, which can reduce your risks for heart disease. Use of cod liver oil or other forms of fish oil can potentially intensify the effects of the medications Diovan and Lotrel, and you need to talk to your doctor before you take these substances at the same time.
Omega-3 Effects
In addition to treatment and prevention of heart disease, the omega-3 fatty acids in cod liver oil and other forms of fish oil are potentially beneficial in the treatment of a variety of other conditions, including stroke, menstrual pain, unwanted weight loss and rheumatoid arthritis. Omega-3s can also help lower your blood pressure by widening your blood vessels. However, in combination with high blood pressure medications, the omega-3 content in fish oil can lower your blood pressure too far. For this reason, your doctor will need to approve your use of fish oil in combination with any form of these medications.
Diovan Details
Diovan is a commercially available form of the high blood pressure medication called valsartan. It belongs to a class of drugs called angiotensin 2 receptor antagonists and achieves its effects by blocking the actions of chemicals in your body that can constrict, or tighten, your blood vessels. As with any other high blood pressure medication, use of valsartan in combination with cod liver oil or any other form of fish oil can lower your blood pressure too much and endanger your health.
Lotrel Details
Lotrel is a high blood pressure medication that combines two drugs: benazepril and amlodipine. Benazepril belongs to a class of medications called ACE inhibitors and achieves its effects by widening your blood vessels and stopping your body from retaining excess water. Amlodipine belongs to a class of medications called calcium channel blockers and achieves its effects by widening your blood vessels and improving your blood flow. Again, as with other high blood pressure medications, use of Lotrel in combination with cod liver oil can potentially endanger your health.
Considerations
The omega-3 content in cod liver oil and other fish oils can also increase your risks for bleeding, the U.S. National Library of Medicine's MedlinePlus notes. For this reason, you need to talk to your doctor before you use fish oil in combination with any medication that can slow the clotting of your blood, including warfarin, clopidogrel and aspirin. Medications that can interfere with the beneficial effects of fish oil include birth control pills and orlistat, which is designed to stop your body from absorbing some of the fat in your diet. Ask your doctor for more information on using cod liver oil and high blood pressure medications.
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