Fish Oil (DHA, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), EPA (fish oils), fish oils, marine oils, menhaden oil, N3 fatty acids, omega 3 PUFA, polyunsaturated fatty acids, PUFA, W3 fatty acids, shark liver oil)

Suggested dosing of DHA, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (fish oil)

 

Bipolar Disorder, Adjunct Treatment

6.2 g EPA/3.4 g DHA PO daily

 

Cyclosporine Nephrotoxicity

12 g PO daily

 

Dysmenorrhea

1080 mg EPA/720 mg DHA PO daily

 

Hypercholesterolemia

4 g PO daily

 

Hypertension

4 g PO daily

 

Hypertriglyceridemia

1-4 g PO daily

See also Omacor

 

Post CABG

4 g PO daily

 

Post MI

0.85-1.08 g EPA PO daily

 

Raynaud's Syndrome

3.96 g EPA/2.64 g DHA PO daily

 

Rheumatoid Arthritis

3.8 g EPA/2 g DHA PO daily

 

Sclerosing Cholangitis (Orphan)

Orphan designation for docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) to treat primary sclerosing cholangitis

Sponsor

• Sancilio and Company, Inc.; 3874 Fiscal Ct, Suite 100; Riviera Beach, FL 33404

 

Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (Orphan)

Treatment of familial adenomatous polyposis

Orphan indication sponsor

• S.L.A. Pharma Ltd. (UK); Elite House Leavesden, Watford WD25 7SA; UK

 

Huntington's Disease (Orphan)

Treatment of familial adenomatous polyposis

Orphan indication sponsor

• Laxdale Ltd; Kings Park House, Laurelhill Business Park, Polmaise Road, Stirling FK7 9JQ; UK

 

IgA Nephropathy (Orphan)

Orphan indication sponsor

• Pronova Biocare, AS; PO Box 420, 1327 Lysaker; Norway

 

Sickle Cell Disease (Orphan)

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)

Orphan designation for treatment of sickle cell disease

Sponsor

• Sancilio and Company, Inc; 3874 Fiscal Ct., #100; Riviera Beach, FL 33404

 

Short Bowel Disease (Orphan)

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)

Orphan designation for treatment of short bowel disease

Sponsor

• Sancilio and Company, Inc; 3874 Fiscal Ct., #100; Riviera Beach, FL 33404

 

Suggested uses of DHA, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (fish oil)

Bipolar disorder, coronary heart disease, dysmenorrhea, hyperlipidemia, HTN, hypertriglyceridemia, Raynaud's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, stroke prevention

Decr risk of prostate CA (dietary fish)

Rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, other chronic inflammatory conditions

 

DHA, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (fish oil) adverse (side) effects

Frequency not defined

Bleeding

Halitosis

Heartburn

Hemorrhagic stroke

Immunosuppression

Increased LDL cholesteroL

Nausea

Weight gain

 

Warnings

Contraindications

Diabetes, immunodeficiency

 

Cautions

Aspirin sensitivity, bipolar disorder, bleeding disorders, cirrhosis, concurrent antihypertensives, familial adenomatous polyposis, major depressive disorders

 

Pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy category: N/A

Lactation: N/A

 

Pregnancy categories

A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.

B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.

C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.

D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.

X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.

NA: Information not available.

 

Pharmacology of DHA, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (fish oil)

Metabolism: N/A

Excretion: N/A

 

Mechanism of action

Inhibits platelet aggregation; decr production of inflammatory prostaglandins (e.g., PGE2)

Inhibits oxidation of LDL, inhibits migration of macrophages into atherosclerotic plaques