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Vascepa

  • Generic Name: icosapent ethyl capsules
  • Brand Name: Vascepa

side effects drug center vascepa (icosapent ethyl capsules) drug - patient side effects and images

 

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SIDE EFFECTS

Vascepa Patient Information Including Side Effects

Brand Names: Icosapent Ethyl, Vascepa

Generic Name: icosapent

What is icosapent (Icosapent Ethyl, Vascepa)?

Icosapent is used together with other medicines (such as statins) to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and some types of heart problems that need hospitalization in adults.

Icosapent is used together with a low-fat and low-cholesterol diet to reduce triglycerides (fats) in adults with severely high triglycerides.

It is not known whether icosapent will lower your risk of pancreatitis (inflammation of your pancreas).

Icosapent may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of icosapent (Icosapent Ethyl, Vascepa)?

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • fast or irregular heartbeats, dizziness, shortness of breath, chest discomfort, fainting, or if you feel light-headed; or
  • serious bleeding.

Common side effects may include:

  • muscle or joint pain;
  • constipation;
  • swelling of the hands, legs, or feet.
  • gout; or
  • chest pressure, racing or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, feeling short of breath.

This is not a complete list of side effects and 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 is the most important information I should know about icosapent (Icosapent Ethyl, Vascepa)?

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

Vascepa Patient Information including How Should I Take

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking icosapent (Icosapent Ethyl, Vascepa)?

You should not use icosapent if you are allergic to it.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

  • liver disease;
  • diabetes;
  • a thyroid disorder;
  • problems with your pancreas;
  • a bleeding or blood-clotting disorder; or
  • if you are allergic to fish or shellfish.

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Icosapent can pass into breast milk, and may harm your baby. Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding.

Icosapent is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

How should I take icosapent (Icosapent Ethyl, Vascepa)?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Take with food.

Swallow the capsule whole and do not crush, chew, break, or open it.

You will need frequent blood tests.

Icosapent is only part of a complete treatment program that may also include diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Vascepa Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose

What happens if I miss a dose (Icosapent Ethyl, Vascepa)?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose (Icosapent Ethyl, Vascepa)?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking icosapent (Icosapent Ethyl, Vascepa)?

Avoid eating foods that are high in fat or cholesterol. Icosapent will not be as effective in lowering your cholesterol if you do not follow a cholesterol lowering diet plan.

What other drugs will affect icosapent (Icosapent Ethyl, Vascepa)?

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect icosapent, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information (Icosapent Ethyl, Vascepa)?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about icosapent.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

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