Fish Oil

dr.joan

Fish Oil

Generic Name: omega-3 polyunsaturated fattyacids (oh MAY ga 3 POL ee un SAT yoo ray ted FAT ee AS ids)

Brand Names: Fish Oil, Icar PrenatalEssential Omega-3, Lovaza, Marine Lipid Concentrate, MaxEPA, Mi-Omega, Omacor, Proepa, Sea-Omega, Super-EPA, TheraTears Nutrition

What is Fish Oil?

Fish Oil capsules contain omega-3polyunsaturated fatty acids that are found in oil from certain types of fish, vegetables, and other plant sources. These fatty acids are not made by the bodyand must be consumed in the diet. Fish Oil works by lowering the body'sproduction of triglycerides. High levels of triglycerides can lead to coronaryartery disease, heart disease, and stroke.

Fish Oil is used together with diet andexercise to help lower triglyceride levels in the blood.

Fish Oil may also be used for otherpurposes not listed.

Important information about FishOil

Take Fish Oil exactly as directed on thelabel, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or forlonger than recommended.

Swallow the Fish Oil capsule whole. Do notpuncture or open the capsule.

Fish Oil is only part of a complete programof treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow yourdiet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.

If you miss a dose, use the medication assoon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the misseddose and wait until your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not use extra FishOil to make up the missed dose.

There may be other drugs that can affectFish Oil. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-countermedications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, anddrugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication withouttelling your doctor.

Stop using this medication and getemergency medical help if you think you have used too much medicine, or if youhave any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Less serious side effects are more likely, and you may have none at all. Talk to your doctor about any side effect thatseems unusual or is especially bothersome.

Before taking Fish Oil

Do not use Fish Oil if you are allergic tofish or soybeans.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist about using thismedicine if you have:

diabetes;

liver disease;

a pancreas disorder;

an underactive thyroid; or

if you drink more than 2 alcoholicbeverages per day.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not knownwhether this medication is harmful to an unborn baby. Before you take Fish Oil, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant duringtreatment. It is not known whether omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids pass intobreast milk or if this could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medicationwithout telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not give thismedication to anyone under 18 years old.

How should I take Fish Oil?

Take Fish Oil exactly as directed on thelabel, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or forlonger than recommended.

Swallow the Fish Oil capsule whole. Do notpuncture or open the capsule.

Fish Oil works best if you take it withfood.

To be sure Fish Oil is helping yourcondition, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your liverfunction may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled visits to yourdoctor.

This medication is only part of a completeprogram of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.

Store Fish Oil at room temperature awayfrom moisture and heat. Do not freeze.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as youremember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and takethe Fish Oil at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine tomake up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if youthink you have used too much of this medicine.

An overdose of Fish Oil is not expected toproduce life-threatening symptoms.

What should I avoid while taking FishOil?

Avoid eating foods that are high in fat orcholesterol. Fish Oil will not be as effective in lowering your triglycerides ifyou do not follow the diet plan recommended by your doctor.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increasetriglycerides and may make your condition worse.

Fish Oil side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have anyof these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling ofyour face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using Fish Oil and call your doctor atonce if you have any of these serious side effects:

fever, chills, body aches, flusymptoms;

chest pain; or

uneven heartbeats.

Less serious Fish Oil side effects mayinclude:

back pain;

unusual or unpleasant taste in yourmouth;

upset stomach, belching; or

mild skin rash.

This is not a complete list of side effectsand others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect FishOil?

Before taking Fish Oil, tell your doctor ifyou are using any of the following drugs:

estrogens (birth control pills or hormonereplacement);

a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);

a beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin), carvedilol (Coreg), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), sotalol (Betapace), timolol (Blocadren), and others; or

a diuretic (water pill) such aschlorothiazide (Diuril), hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL, Microzide), chlorthalidone (Hygroton, Thalitone), indapamide (Lozol), metolazone (Mykrox, Zaroxolyn), and others.

This list is not complete and there may beother drugs that can interact with Fish Oil. Tell your doctor about all theprescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not startusing a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get moreinformation?

Your pharmacist can provide moreinformation about Fish Oil.

Remember, keep this and all other medicinesout of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and usethis medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure thatthe information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Druginformation contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has beencompiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United Statesand therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States areappropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug informationdoes not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's druginformation is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcarepractitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewingthis service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning fora given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate thatthe drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any givenpatient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcareadministered with the aid of information Multum provides. The informationcontained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverseeffects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with yourdoctor, nurse or pharmacist.