Lovaza
Encyclopedia
Lovaza is a brand name prescription drug
fish oil
capsule developed by GlaxoSmithKline
and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to lower very high triglyceride
levels. It is an Omega-3 fatty acid
. It is a dietary supplement that has been purified, chemically altered, branded, and been put through the FDA's approval process; in these respects it is considered a pharmaceutical. Each 1-gram capsule is 38% DHA, 47% EPA, and 17% other fish oils.
Lovaza is named Omacor in Europe (and this name was once used in the US).
In the European markets and other major markets outside the US Lovaza is known as Omacor, and is indicated for:
Lovaza has been demonstrated to reduce triglycerides in patients with high or very high triglycerides.
Lovaza has also been demonstrated to reduce VLDL-cholesterol and non-HDL-cholesterol, and increase HDL
-cholesterol. In some patients LDL-cholesterol is moderately increased. The LDL raising activity correlates with a reduction in ApoB levels. Lovaza, through the stimulation of Lipoprotein Lipase, seems to stimulate the production of less atherogenic LDL species.
Effects on significant patient outcomes such as acute myocardial infarction, stroke, cardiovascular and all-cause mortality have been studied in patients who have suffered a myocardial infarction. Lovaza has not been shown to lower the rates of all cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality, and as well as the combination of mortality and non-fatal cardiovascular events.
GlaxoSmithKline
's patent expires in September 2012, when generic
versions may be made available. Other DHA/EPA products containing similar amounts of Omega-3 fatty acids
are currently sold over the counter in the United States as dietary supplements.
Prescription drug
A prescription medication is a licensed medicine that is regulated by legislation to require a medical prescription before it can be obtained. The term is used to distinguish it from over-the-counter drugs which can be obtained without a prescription...
fish oil
Fish oil
Fish oil is oil derived from the tissues of oily fish. Fish oils contain the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid , and docosahexaenoic acid , precursors of certain eicosanoids that are known to reduce inflammation throughout the body, and are thought to have many health benefits.Fish do not...
capsule developed by GlaxoSmithKline
GlaxoSmithKline
GlaxoSmithKline plc is a global pharmaceutical, biologics, vaccines and consumer healthcare company headquartered in London, United Kingdom...
and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to lower very high triglyceride
Triglyceride
A triglyceride is an ester derived from glycerol and three fatty acids. There are many triglycerides, depending on the oil source, some are highly unsaturated, some less so....
levels. It is an Omega-3 fatty acid
Omega-3 fatty acid
N−3 fatty acids are essential unsaturated fatty acids with a double bond starting after the third carbon atom from the end of the carbon chain....
. It is a dietary supplement that has been purified, chemically altered, branded, and been put through the FDA's approval process; in these respects it is considered a pharmaceutical. Each 1-gram capsule is 38% DHA, 47% EPA, and 17% other fish oils.
Lovaza is named Omacor in Europe (and this name was once used in the US).
Effectiveness
Lovaza is approved in the U.S. for treatment of patients with very high triglycerides (hypertriglyceridemia).In the European markets and other major markets outside the US Lovaza is known as Omacor, and is indicated for:
- HypertriglyceridemiaHypertriglyceridemiaIn medicine, hypertriglyceridemia denotes high blood levels of triglycerides, the most abundant fatty molecule in most organisms. It has been associated with atherosclerosis, even in the absence of hypercholesterolemia . It can also lead to pancreatitis in excessive concentrations In medicine,...
. Used as monotherapy, or in combination with a statinStatinStatins are a class of drugs used to lower cholesterol levels by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, which plays a central role in the production of cholesterol in the liver. Increased cholesterol levels have been associated with cardiovascular diseases, and statins are therefore used in the...
for patients with mixed dyslipidemiaDyslipidemiaDyslipidemia or dyslipidaemia is an abnormal amount of lipids in the blood. In developed countries, most dyslipidemias are hyperlipidemias; that is, an elevation of lipids in the blood, often due to diet and lifestyle. The prolonged elevation of insulin levels can lead to dyslipidemia...
. - Secondary prevention after myocardial infarctionMyocardial infarctionMyocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
(heart attack)
Lovaza has been demonstrated to reduce triglycerides in patients with high or very high triglycerides.
Lovaza has also been demonstrated to reduce VLDL-cholesterol and non-HDL-cholesterol, and increase HDL
HDL
HDL may refer to one of the following:* Hardware description language* High-density lipoprotein, so-called "good cholesterol".* Hong Kong Disneyland, in China.* Les Hurlements d'Léo, an alternative rock band from France.* GE HDL diesel engine...
-cholesterol. In some patients LDL-cholesterol is moderately increased. The LDL raising activity correlates with a reduction in ApoB levels. Lovaza, through the stimulation of Lipoprotein Lipase, seems to stimulate the production of less atherogenic LDL species.
Effects on significant patient outcomes such as acute myocardial infarction, stroke, cardiovascular and all-cause mortality have been studied in patients who have suffered a myocardial infarction. Lovaza has not been shown to lower the rates of all cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality, and as well as the combination of mortality and non-fatal cardiovascular events.
GlaxoSmithKline
GlaxoSmithKline
GlaxoSmithKline plc is a global pharmaceutical, biologics, vaccines and consumer healthcare company headquartered in London, United Kingdom...
's patent expires in September 2012, when generic
Generic drug
A generic drug is a drug defined as "a drug product that is comparable to brand/reference listed drug product in dosage form, strength, route of administration, quality and performance characteristics, and intended use." It has also been defined as a term referring to any drug marketed under its...
versions may be made available. Other DHA/EPA products containing similar amounts of Omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acid
N−3 fatty acids are essential unsaturated fatty acids with a double bond starting after the third carbon atom from the end of the carbon chain....
are currently sold over the counter in the United States as dietary supplements.