title: Omega-3 ethylester concentrate: a review of its use in secondary prevention post-myocardial infarction and the treatment of hypertriglyceridaemia.
abstract: Oral omega-3 ethylester concentrate (omega-3 EEC) [Omacor; Lovaza] is indicated as an adjuvant therapy in adult patients for secondary prevention post-myocardial infarction (MI) and the treatment of hypertriglyceridaemia in the majority of European countries, and for the treatment of hypertriglyceridaemia (serum triglyceride levels > or =5.6 mmol/L [> or =500 mg/dL]) in the US. Each 1000 mg capsule of omega-3 EEC consists of 460 mg of ethyl eicosapentaenoic acid and 380 mg of ethyl docosahexaenoic acid. The addition of omega-3 EEC 1000 mg/day to standard medical therapy in the GISSI-Prevenzione study provided secondary prevention benefits in post-MI adult patients. The benefits were attributable to reductions in death and cardiovascular death (including sudden death). Additional data examining the extent and mechanisms of the cardiovascular benefit conferred by omega-3 EEC in secondary prevention would be useful. As an adjunct to diet, monotherapy with omega-3 EEC 4000 mg/day significantly reduced triglyceride levels in patients with hypertriglyceridaemia, although limited data suggest it was less effective than gemfibrozil. In addition, omega-3 EEC 4000 mg/day plus simvastatin or atorvastatin reduced triglyceride, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) and/or very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) levels to a significantly greater extent than placebo plus simvastatin or atorvastatin. Omega-3 EEC was generally well tolerated both as secondary prevention post-MI and in the treatment of hypertriglyceridaemia. Thus, omega-3 EEC is a useful option both in secondary prevention post-MI and the treatment of hypertriglyceridaemia.
authors.affiliation: Wolters Kluwer Health/Adis, 41 Centorian Drive, Mairangi Bay, North Shore 0754, Auckland, New Zealand. demail@adis.co.nz
authors.forename: Sheridan M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Hoy
authors.forename: Gillian M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Keating
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D015228:Hypertriglyceridemia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid; C405603:Omacor