Lovaza vs. Vascepa - What's the difference between them?

Key Points

Both Lovaza and Vascepa are prescription oral medications used in addition to diet to help lower high triglyceride levels that can be dangerous for your heart. Vascepa is also approved to be used with a statin in certain patients with high triglycerides to lower the risk of a heart attack, stroke or unstable angina requiring hospitalization.

Lovaza is not approved to be used with a statin to lower triglyderides, but is used in addition to a lipid-lowering diet. It is not known if Lovaza prevents you from having a heart attack, stroke or changes your risk of having inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis).

Vascepa contains the purified ester of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), an omega-3 fatty acid. Lovaza contains two different omega-3 fatty acids: docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and EPA.

DHA has been shown to increase levels of LDL ("bad") cholesterol when used to treat high triglycerides, but EPA has not been shown to have this effect.

How do I take Lovaza or Vascepa?

Lovaza (generic name: omega-3-acid ethyl esters) and Vascepa (generic name: icosapent ethyl, the ethyl ester of EPA) both come as oral capsules you swallow. Lovaza can be taken once or twice a day with food, while Vascepa is taken twice a day with food.

Both medicines are used in addition to a low-fat and low-cholesterol diet to lower triglycerides (hypertriglyceridemia) and are approved for use in adults only. An appropriate exercise program may need to be followed in addition to diet.

Both products are formulations of omega-3 fatty acids (from fish oil). Before using Lovaza or Vascepa, tell your doctor if you are allergic to fish or shellfish.

Take your medicine exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Your doctor will monitor your triglyceride levels or other lipids while taking these medicines.

Lovaza dose

• The daily dose of Lovaza is 4 grams per day. You may take this dose as a single 4-gram dose (4 capsules); OR as two 2-gram doses (2 capsules given twice daily). Do not take more than 4 capsules of Lovaza per day.
• Take Lovaza with food.
• Take your Lovaza capsules whole. Do not break them open, crush, dissolve, or chew Lovaza.

Vascepa dose

• The daily dose of Vascepa is 4 grams per day. You may take this dose as either four 0.5 gram capsules twice daily; OR as two 1 gram capsules twice daily.
• Take Vascepa with food.
• Take your Vascepa capsules whole; do not break open, crush, dissolve, or chew Vascepa.

How do the side effects differ between Lovaza and Vascepa?

Lovaza side effects

The most common side effects that may occur with Lovaza are:

• burping
• upset stomach
• a change in your sense of taste

Serious side effects with Lovaza have been reported and are:

• changes in certain blood tests (liver tests and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol tests (LDL-C or "bad" cholesterol).
• an increased risk of a heart rhythm problem (atrial fibrillation or flutter) in some high-risk people

A tendency to bleed or bruise easily (bleeding diathesis) was reported for Lovaza after it was approved, but it is not known if this was due to the drug or some other factor. If you take a blood thinner (for example, warfarin or aspirin) your doctor may need to monitor you for this effect.

In some patients, Lovaza increases LDL cholesterol, and levels should be monitored periodically during therapy with Lovaza.

In patients with liver impairment, liver enzyme levels (ALT, AST) should be monitored periodically during therapy with Lovaza.

Vascepa side effects

The most common side effects that may occur with Vascepa are:

• muscle and joint pain
• swelling of the hands, legs, or feet
• constipation
• mouth / throat pain (oropharyngeal pain)
• gout
• heart rhythm problems (atrial fibrillation)

Vascepa may also cause serious side effects, such as:

• heart rhythm problems (atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter). Tell your doctor if you get any symptoms of heart rhythm problems, such as a fast or irregular heart beat, lightheadedness, dizziness, shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or you faint. Tell your doctor if you have had heart rhythm problems in the past.
• possible allergic reactions if you are allergic to fish or shellfish
• bleeding. Your risk may increase if you are also taking a blood thinner medicine (for example: warfarin or aspirin).

If you experience any serious side effects or an allergic reaction with either drug, contact your doctor or call for emergency medical help (such as 911) immediately.

In patients with liver impairment, liver enzyme levels (ALT, AST) should be monitored periodically during therapy with Vascepa.

These are not all the possible side effects that can occur with Lovaza or Vascepa. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

Related Questions

• Is Vascepa the same as fish oil?
• Can Vascepa help with weight loss?
• How long does it take Vascepa to work?

Which is more expensive - Lovaza or Vascepa?

Lovaza and Vascepa are both available as brand and generic options. A generic product may help you to save money at the pharmacy. Note that prices are for cash-paying customers and are not valid with insurance plans. Prices may differ based on location, pharmacy or coupon selected.

Monthly Price for Lovaza (using a drug discount card):

• Lovaza 1 gram: $1012 for 120 capsules
• omega-3-acid ethyl esters 1 gram (generic for Lovaza): $33 to $75 for 120 capsules

Monthly Price for Vascepa (using a drug discount card):

• Vascepa 0.5 gram: $446 for 240 capsules
• Vascepa 1 gram: $383 for 120 capsules
• icosapent 1 gram (generic for Vascepa): $85 to $225 for 120 capsules

Related: Access the free Drugs.com prescription drug discount card here

To learn more about pricing and financial assistance offered by the manufacturers of these drugs, visit these sites:

• Lovaza Price Guide
• Vascepa Price Guide

There may be other options for you to lower your cost for these medicines, if needed. Speak with your doctor, pharmacist or call the manufacturer to learn about Copay Savings Cards.

Bottom Line

• Both Lovaza and Vascepa are used to lower high triglycerides in your blood that can be dangerous to the heart.
• However, Vascepa is also approved to be used with a statin in certain high risk patients with high triglycerides to lower the chance of outcomes like a heart attack or stroke.
• It is not known if Lovaza prevents you from having a heart attack or stroke and is not approved to be used with a statin for this purpose.

This is not a full listing of differences between Lovaza and Vascepa or all the information you need for safe or effective use. Review the full Lovaza and Vascepa product information, and discuss this information with your doctor or other health care provider.