title: Epanova(®) and hypertriglyceridemia: pharmacological mechanisms and clinical efficacy.
abstract: While LDL-cholesterol lowering has become the cornerstone of cardiovascular risk reduction strategies, considerable interest in additional targeting of hypertriglyceridemia continues. While ω-3 fatty acids are commonly used in clinical practice for triglyceride lowering, no large-scale clinical trial evaluating their impact on clinical events has been performed. As a result, there remains a lack of consensus with regards to their optimal clinical use. Epanova(®) (Omthera Pharmaceuticals Inc., NJ, USA) is a novel ω-3 free fatty acid formulation, developed to maximize eicosapentenoic acid and docosahexenoic acid bioavailability with low-fat diets, suggesting a potential therapeutic advantage compared with ω-3-acid ethyl esters in the treatment of patients with hypertriglyceridemia. Additional human studies are needed to define more clearly the cellular and molecular basis for the triglyceride-lowering effects of Epanova and this drug's favorable cardiovascular effects, particularly in patients with hypertriglyceridemia.
authors: South Australian Health & Medical Research Institute, Level 9, 121 King William Street, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia.
authors: Yu
authors: Y
authors: Kataoka
authors: Kiyoko
authors: K
authors: Uno
authors: Rishi
authors: R
authors: Puri
authors: Stephen J
authors: SJ
authors: Nicholls
mesh_terms: D001682:Biological Availability; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004361:Drug Tolerance; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058607:Fibric Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015228:Hypertriglyceridemia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008019:Life Style; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000187:drug effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D058607:Fibric Acids; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D008074:Lipoproteins; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid; C405603:Omacor