Icosapent ethyl for the treatment of severe hypertriglyceridemia Article

Full Text via DOI: 10.2147/TCRM.S36983 PMID: 25028554 Web of Science: 000338433800004
Open Access

Cited authors

  • Fares, Hassan; Lavie, Carl J.; DiNicolantonio, James J.; O'Keefe, James H.; Milani, Richard V.

Abstract

  • Hypertriglyceridemia is a highly prevalent lipid abnormality and it is associated with atherosclerosis, with a growing body of evidence linking elevated triglycerides (TGs) with cardiovascular disease. The current major omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)/docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) combination, lowers serum TGs while often increasing levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Icosapent ethyl is an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid with a 96% pure ethyl ester of EPA that has been recently approved for lowering TG levels in patients with very high TGs (>= 500 mg/dL), and it does so without significantly affecting serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The potential benefits of omega-3 fatty acid therapy for dyslipidemias will be discussed, including the potential pros and cons of EPA alone versus the more common and readily available EPA/DHA combination therapy.

Publication date

  • 2014

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 1178-203X

Start page

  • 485

End page

  • 492

Volume

  • 10