Icosapent Ethyl

Introduction

Written by Alex Brewer, PharmD, MBA
Medically reviewed by Elizabeth Scheffel, PharmD
Updated on July 19, 2023

Vascepa (vas-EE-puh) is a brand-name medication prescribed for lowering triglycerides and helping lower the risk for certain heart problems. Vascepa belongs to a group of drugs called eicosapentaenoic acids.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Vascepa for the following uses:

• to lower the risk for certain heart and blood vessel problems, used together with a statin drug, in adults with specific conditions
• to lower triglyceride levels in adults with very high triglycerides, used together with diet

Common questions about Vascepa

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about Vascepa

Is Vascepa available as a generic?

Yes, Vascepa is available as a generic medication. The generic version of Vascepa is called icosapent ethyl.

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.) Generic drugs are believed to be as effective and safe as brand-name drugs. And generic drugs typically cost less than brand-name drugs.

Talk with your pharmacist or doctor if you’re interested in learning more about or using generic icosapent ethyl.

Does Vascepa belong to the group of drugs known as blood thinners?

No, Vascepa isn’t classified as a blood thinner. It belongs to a group of drugs called eicosapentaenoic (EPA) acids. EPA is a type of omega-3 fatty acid.

That said, some studies have shown that fatty acid drugs, such as Vascepa, can have a slight effect on how long you bleed, such as after a cut or minor wound. Taking certain drugs together with Vascepa can also increase your risk for bleeding, including serious bleeding. These drugs include blood thinners such as warfarin (Jantoven) and apixaban (Eliquis).

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about your risk for bleeding while taking Vascepa.

How does Vascepa work? And how long does it take to start working?

Vascepa belongs to a group of drugs called eicosapentaenoic (EPA) acids. EPA is a type of omega-3 fatty acid.

Studies show that EPA and EPA drugs such as Vascepa lower the amount of cholesterol your body makes. They also increase the amount of triglycerides cleared from your blood. This can help reduce your risk for heart and blood vessel problems.

If you’d like to know more about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Uses of Vascepa

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Vascepa for certain conditions. Approved uses for Vascepa are described below.

Use for lowering very high triglyceride levels

Doctors may prescribe Vascepa oral capsule for lowering very high triglyceride levels. It’s used for this purpose in adults. It’s usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.

With very high triglyceride levels, a high amount of triglycerides (a type of fat) are found in your blood. Having very high triglyceride levels typically doesn’t cause symptoms. But over time, it raises your risk for serious heart and blood vessel problems, such as heart attack and stroke.

Vascepa is prescribed together with a heart-healthy diet for lowering very high triglyceride levels.

Doctors may not prescribe Vascepa oral capsule in certain situations, such as when you’ve had pancreatitis (inflammation in your pancreas) in the past. They can review the risks and benefits with you and decide on a safe treatment for your condition if this factor applies to you.

Use for helping to lower the risk of certain heart and blood vessel problems

Doctors may prescribe Vascepa oral capsule for helping to lower the risk of certain heart and blood vessel problems. It’s used for this purpose in adults. It’s usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.

Vascepa is prescribed to lower these risks in people with high triglyceride levels, and one of the following factors:

• heart and blood vessel disease, or
• diabetes, and at least two other factors for cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) disease, such as high blood pressure or obesity

Vascepa is prescribed together with a statin drug for helping to lower the risk of certain heart and blood vessel problems. Examples of statin drugs include Lipitor (atorvastatin) and Crestor (rosuvastatin).

Doctors may not prescribe Vascepa oral capsule in certain situations, such as when you’ve had pancreatitis (inflammation in your pancreas) in the past. They can review the risks and benefits with you and decide on a safe treatment for your condition.

Side effects of Vascepa

Vascepa may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of Vascepa and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about Vascepa’s side effects, see this article or ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for Vascepa listed in the “Article resources” section.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with Vascepa are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about Vascepa’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for Vascepa listed in the “Article resources” section.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Vascepa oral capsule’s mild side effects include:

• joint or muscle pain
• constipation
• swelling in your hands, legs, or feet
• throat pain
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for Vascepa” section.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of Vascepa are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about Vascepa’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for Vascepa listed in the “Article resources” section.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, Vascepa’s serious side effects include:

• heart problems, including atrial fibrillation
• gout
• severe bleeding
• severe allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for Vascepa” section.

Interactions and warnings for Vascepa

Below, you’ll find information about Vascepa’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of Vascepa

Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you take Vascepa, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription or over-the-counter drugs
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for Vascepa” section below.

Warnings for Vascepa

Some people should not take Vascepa, and others should use it cautiously.

Vascepa could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether Vascepa is a safe option for you.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for Vascepa, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Vascepa can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Vascepa or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Vascepa. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to Vascepa, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of Vascepa

If you take Vascepa by mouth, you should not take more Vascepa than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve taken too much Vascepa, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource.

If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and Vascepa

Information about Vascepa and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Vascepa and pregnancy

It’s not known whether Vascepa should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before using this medication.

Vascepa and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether Vascepa should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

What to ask your doctor

Let your doctor know if you have questions about Vascepa or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• How does Vascepa compare to other treatments for my condition?
• Will you need to change my Vascepa dose if I’m taking a drug that interacts with it?
• Does my health history raise my risks for side effects if I take Vascepa?
• How does Vascepa compare with over-the-counter fish oil supplements?

Resources

• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Vascepa (icosapent ethyl) capsules, for oral use. (2021). https://amaringlobal.prod.acquia-sites.com/sites/default/files/2022-12/Vascepa-PI.pdf

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.