new Rx Vascepa (vas-EE-puh, icosapent ethyl) will compete with Lovaza and fish oil supplements for lowering triglycerides

January 2013

The new Rx Vascepa (vas-EE-puh, icosapent ethyl) will compete with Lovaza and fish oil supplements for lowering triglycerides.

Vascepa contains only EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)...instead of both EPA and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) like Lovaza and most supplements.

EPA alone doesn't increase LDL like EPA/DHA combos can...but it seems a little less effective for lowering triglycerides (TGs).

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Table of Contents

Drug Interactions more alerts for drug and grapefruit interactions
Natural Medicines new Rx Vascepa (vas-EE-puh, icosapent ethyl) will compete with Lovaza and fish oil supplements for lowering triglycerides
OTC Products new warnings about the potential dangers of energy drinks and "shots"
Cardiology Beta-blockers will continue to fall out of favor for hypertension
Osteoporosis Binosto (BIN-oss-tow), a new alendronate effervescent tab for osteoporosis
Benzodiazepines Is it okay to COMBINE benzodiazepines
Psychiatry more use of corticosteroids and less use of antivirals to treat Bell's palsy
Antithrombotics Aspirin will be used to PREVENT recurrent venous thromboembolism
Antithrombotics when to stop antiplatelet drugs or anticoagulants before surgery
Oral Health what works for canker sores or aphthous ulcers
Generics 2013 will be another big year for first-time generics.