Lovaza (Omega-3 Acid Ethyl Esters)

LOVAZA comes as a liquid-filled gel capsule to take by mouth.

It's usually taken one or twice daily, with or without food.

The typical daily dose of LOVAZA is 4 grams (g) per day.

Your dose may depend on your medical condition.

Swallow the capsules whole. Don't break, crush, or chew them.

Try to take this medicine around the same time each day.

Follow the instructions on your prescription label carefully. Don't take more or less LOVAZA than is recommended.

Don't stop taking LOVAZA or change your dose without first talking to your doctor.

LOVAZA Overdose

If you suspect an overdose of LOVAZA, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately.

Missed Dose of LOVAZA

If you miss a dose of LOVAZA, take it as soon as you remember.

But if it's almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular medication schedule.

Don't take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

Common Side Effects of LOVAZA

Tell your doctor if any of the following side effects become severe or don't go away:

• Burping
• Diarrhea
• Mild heartburn
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Upset stomach or mild stomach pain
• Changes in taste

Serious Side Effects of LOVAZA

Tell your doctor right away if you experience any of the following serious side effects:

• Irregular heartbeat
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Signs of anaphylaxis, which may include rash, hives, itching, difficulty breathing, chest tightness, or swelling of the face, mouth, lips, or tongue

Your healthcare provider will probably recommend that you follow a specific diet and exercise plan while you're taking LOVAZA. Follow these instructions carefully.

Before starting treatment with LOVAZA, tell your doctor if you have, or have ever had:

• A blood clotting problem
• An underactive thyroid
• Liver or pancreas problems
• Diabetes
• An irregular heartbeat or another heart problem
• Allergies to medicines, fish, or soy

People with atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter (types of irregular heartbeats) may have an increased risk of experiencing an irregular heartbeat while taking LOVAZA. Talk to your doctor if this is a concern.

LOVAZA may increase your levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or "bad") cholesterol.

Your doctor will want to perform frequent tests to monitor your LDL levels and to check your body's response to LOVAZA.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and laboratory.

Pregnancy and LOVAZA

It's not known whether LOVAZA could harm a fetus if taken during pregnancy.

Tell your doctor if you're pregnant, or might become pregnant, while using this medicine.

LOVAZA passes into breast milk. Don't breastfeed a baby while taking this drug without first talking with your doctor.

Tell your doctor about all prescription, nonprescription, illegal, recreational, herbal, nutritional, or dietary drugs you're taking, especially:

• Anticoagulants (blood thinners), such as Coumadin or Jantoven (warfarin)
• Antiplatelet medications, such as Pletal (cilostazol), Plavix (clopidogrel), Persantine or Aggrenox (dipyridamole), Effient (prasugrel), and ticlopidine
• Aspirin or products that contain aspirin
• Beta-blockers, such as Tenormin or Tenoretic (atenolol), Trandate (labetalol), Lopressor, Toprol XL, or Dutoprol (metoprolol), Corgard or Corzide (nadolol), and Inderal, InnoPran XL, or Inderide (propranolol)
• Diuretics (water pills)
• Estrogen-containing contraceptives (birth control pills, patches, rings, and injections)
• Estrogen replacement therapy
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as Advil or Motrin (ibuprofen) and Aleve or Naprosyn (naproxen)

LOVAZA and Alcohol

Drinking alcohol may affect your triglyceride levels.

Talk to your doctor before consuming alcoholic beverages while taking this medicine.