Expert opinion: omega-3 fatty acids and bleeding-cause for concern?
Omega-3 fatty acid ethyl esters have well-known triglyceride-lowering properties and were shown >30 years ago to inhibit platelet function. With the recent US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of these agents for treating severe triglyceride elevations, concerns about excess bleeding naturally arise. However, an objective assessment of the evidence for clinically significant bleeding reveals that such concerns are unfounded. As such, the benefits of triglyceride lowering with omega-3 fatty acids more than outweigh any theoretical risks for increased bleeding.
Harris
William S
WS
Sanford School of Medicine of University of South Dakota, Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57105, USA. bill.harris@usd.edu
D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D004357:Drug Synergism; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006801:Humans
D000925:Anticoagulants; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3