Omacore

Omacor has a hypolipidemic effect.

Indications Omacora

It is used in the following situations:

• for the prevention (secondary) of the development of a previously diagnosed myocardial infarction (in combination with other medications necessary for such cases: antiplatelet agents, ACE inhibitors, statins, and also β-blockers);
• in case of endogenous hypertriglyceridemia – as an additional agent to diet therapy, if the latter is ineffective: as monotherapy for type 4 pathology and together with statins in case of type 2b/3 disease (while triglyceride levels continue to remain high).

Release form

The medication is released in capsules, 28 or 100 pieces inside polyethylene bottles.

Pharmacodynamics

Omacor is a hypolipidemic agent, the active elements of which belong to the category of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (EPA and DHA), and are essential in the body.

Due to the use of LS, the triglyceride index decreases (since the level of VLDL decreases), and in addition, the binding of thromboxane A2 decreases and a slight prolongation of the blood clotting time occurs. These effects are expressed in the form of an active effect on hemostasis and blood pressure. No noticeable effect of LS on other blood clotting factors is observed.

As a result of the suppression of esterification of the elements EPA and DHA, there is a delay in the binding of triglycerides inside the liver, due to which their values decrease. This leads to an increase in peroxic β-oxidation of fatty acids (the amount of free fatty acids suitable for the ongoing processes of binding triglycerides decreases). Inhibition of the above-mentioned binding processes contributes to a decrease in the values of VLDL.

In some individuals with hypertriglyceridemia, treatment with the drug causes an increase in LDL cholesterol levels. At the same time, the increase in HDL levels is insignificant and much lower than with fibrate therapy.

The duration of the lipid-lowering effect of the therapeutic agent over periods longer than 1 year has not been studied. The test characteristics do not provide convincing evidence regarding the reduction in the likelihood of developing coronary heart disease as a result of lowering triglyceride levels.

The data from the conducted clinical tests showed that daily oral use of 1 g of the drug for a period of 3.5 years causes a significant reduction in the combined negative value, which includes myocardial infarction with stroke, and in addition, the combined mortality of patients due to all factors.

During and after the absorption of ω-3 fatty acids in the small intestine, there are 3 main pathways of their metabolic transformation:

• the initial passage of fatty acids into the liver, where they are incorporated into various categories of lipoproteins, and then redirected to the group of lipid deposits of a peripheral nature;
• replacement of phospholipids located inside the cell walls with lipoprotein phospholipids, and then the functioning of fatty acids as precursors of various eicosanoids;
• oxidation of a large number of fatty acids to replenish previously lost energy.

The ω-3-FA category (EPA and DHA) within plasma phospholipids is similar to their values recorded within cell walls.

Dosing and administration

Omacor is taken orally, during meals.

In the secondary form of prevention of previously diagnosed myocardial infarction, it is necessary to take 1 capsule of the drug per day during the period prescribed by the doctor (its duration depends on the individual situation of the patient).

When treating hypertriglyceridemia, you need to take 2 medicinal capsules per day (there is also the possibility of doubling the daily dose - up to 4 capsules). The duration of such therapy is selected by the attending physician.

[ 1 ]

Use Omacora during pregnancy

It is prohibited to use Omacor during lactation or pregnancy.

Contraindications

Main contraindications:

• the presence of severe intolerance to ω-3-triglycerides;
• extrinsic hypertriglyceridemia (type 1 hyperchylomicronemia).

Caution is required when using in the following disorders:

• severe forms of liver dysfunction;
• combined use with fibrates and oral anticoagulants;
• performing operations and eliminating complex injuries (due to the possibility of increased bleeding duration);
• elderly people (over 70 years old).

Side effects Omacora

Use of the drug occasionally results in the following side effects:

• dyspeptic disorders, gastroenteritis, abdominal pain, gastritis, dysgeusia, nausea, and in addition to this, gastrointestinal disorders and problems with liver function;
• decreased blood pressure, headaches or dizziness;
• dry nasal mucosa, acne, symptoms of individual hypersensitivity, urticaria and itchy rash;
• hyperglycemia;
• the appearance of bleeding inside the gastrointestinal tract.

During the tests, the following violations were observed sporadically:

• increase in the level of white blood cells and LDH indicators;
• moderate increase in transaminase values (such as ALT and AST);
• increased need of the body to obtain insulin;
• increased activity of liver enzymes;
• rosacea, rashes on the epidermis, erythema or redness, and also the development of urticaria on the shoulders with the neck and sternum;
• pain in the muscle area;
• increase in CPK values in the blood;
• weight gain.

Overdose

If a patient takes too much of the drug, he or she may experience reactions described in the "side effects" category, or existing negative effects may become worse.

To eliminate the disturbances, appropriate symptomatic measures should be taken.

Interactions with other drugs

It is prohibited to combine the drug with fibrates.

The combination of the drug with warfarin does not cause the appearance of various hemorrhagic negative symptoms. But with such therapy or after discontinuation of Omacor, it is necessary to monitor the values of PTT.

Combined use with oral anticoagulants increases the likelihood of bleeding and prolongs its duration.

[ 2 ], [ 3 ]

Storage conditions

Omacor is stored under standard conditions for therapeutic drugs. The maximum permissible temperature is 25°C.

Shelf life

Omacor can be used for 3 years from the date of manufacture of the drug.

Application for children

The medication should not be prescribed to persons under 18 years of age.

Analogues

The analogs of the drug are Probucol, Parmidin and Angionorm with Eifitol, and also Linetol, Polisponin, Vitrum Cardio omega-3 and Lipobon. The list also includes Eikonol, Tribestan, Tribusponin and Ezetrol with Gerbion allium.

Reviews

Omacor receives extremely opposite reviews from patients who have used this medicine. There are both completely positive opinions, which note the good effectiveness of the drug and the safety of its use, and negative ones, which note that the medicine turned out to be completely useless in the treatment of the corresponding disorders.

To get an objective opinion, you need to seek an assessment from specialists. In this case, you can see that cardiologists claim that regular fish oil will be no worse than Omacor in its medicinal properties.