The FDA has approved 2 products containing omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) for treatment of patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia (>500 mg/dL). Lovaza (formerly Omacor) is available by prescription. The second FDA-approved omega-3 product, Vascepa, which contains only EPA, will not be available until 2013. Many other brands of fish oil capsules are sold over the counter (OTC) as dietary supplements; the US Pharmacopeia has verified that some of these contain their labeled content, are soluble in the body, and contain neither heavy metals nor contaminants.

CLINICAL STUDIES — Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease – A mostly primary prevention trial (DOIT; Diet and Omega-3 Intervention Trial) in 563 high-risk elderly men treated with 2.4 g/d of n-3 PUFAs or corn oil for 3 years found that fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events occurred in 32 of the 282 ... more      

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