Lopid vs. Lovaza

• Are Lovaza and Lopid the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Lopid?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Lovaza?
• What Is Lopid?
• What Is Lovaza?
• What Drugs Interact with Lopid?
• What Drugs Interact with Lovaza?
• How Should Lopid Be Taken?
• How Should Lovaza Be Taken?

Lopid (gemfibrozil) and Lovaza (omega-3-acid ethyl esters) are used to treat high triglyceride levels.

Lopid is also used to treat very high cholesterol and triglyceride levels in people with pancreatitis, and is also used to lower the risk of stroke, heart attack, or other heart complications in people with high cholesterol and triglycerides who have not been helped by other treatments.

Lopid and Lovaza belong to different drug classes. Lopid is a lipid regulating agent and Lovaza is a combination of fatty acids.

Side effects of Lopid and Lovaza that are similar include stomach upset and unusual or unpleasant taste in your mouth.

Side effects of Lopid that are different from Lovaza include stomach/abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, drowsiness, joint or muscle pain, loss of interest in sex, impotence, difficulty having an orgasm, numbness or tingly feeling, unusual taste, or cold symptoms (such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat).

Side effects of Lovaza that are different from Lopid include back pain, belching, and skin rash.

Both Lopid and Lovaza may interact with blood thinners and alcohol.

Lopid may also interact with insulin or oral diabetes medications, other cholesterol-lowering drugs, or colchicine.

Lovaza may also interact with birth control pills or hormone replacement, beta-blockers, or diuretics (water pills).

Common side effects of Lopid include:

• stomach upset,
• stomach/abdominal pain,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• diarrhea,
• headache,
• dizziness,
• drowsiness,
• joint or muscle pain,
• loss of interest in sex,
• impotence,
• difficulty having an orgasm,
• numbness or tingly feeling,
• unusual taste, or
• cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat.

Lopid may infrequently cause gallstones and liver problems.

Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following unlikely, but serious side effects of Lopid including:

• severe stomach/abdominal pain,
• persistent nausea or vomiting,
• yellowing eyes or skin, and
• dark urine.

Common side effects of Lovaza include:

• back pain,
• upset stomach,
• burping,
• skin rash, and
• unusual or unpleasant taste in your mouth.

Tell your doctor if you experience rare but very serious side effects of Lovaza including:

• easy bleeding/bruising,
• black or tarry stool, or
• vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

Lopid (gemfibrozil) is a lipid regulating agent used to treat very high cholesterol and triglyceride levels in people with pancreatitis, and is also used to lower the risk of stroke, heart attack, or other heart complications in people with high cholesterol and triglycerides who have not been helped by other treatments. Lopid is available in generic form.

Lovaza (omega-3-acid ethyl esters) is a combination of fatty acids used together with diet and exercise to help lower triglyceride levels in the blood. Lovaza is made of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are found in oil from fish, vegetables, and other plant sources. These fatty acids are not made by the body and must be consumed in the diet.

Lopid may interact with blood thinners, insulin or oral diabetes medication, or other cholesterol-lowering drugs. Tell your doctor all medications you use. Lopid is not recommended for use during pregnancy. It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk.

Lovaza may interact with birth control pills or hormone replacement, blood thinners, beta-blockers, or diuretics (water pills). Tell your doctor all medications you use. Lovaza should be used only when prescribed during pregnancy. It is not known if this medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

The recommended dose of Lopid for adults is 1200 mg administered in two divided doses 30 minutes before the morning and evening meals.

The daily dose of Lovaza is 4 grams per day, taken as a single 4-gram dose (4 capsules) or as two 2-gram doses (2 capsules given twice daily).