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. 2023 Jul;69(7):459–468. doi: 10.46747/cfp.6907459

Table 5.

Omega-3 fatty acid supplements and pharmaceuticals

PRODUCT FORMULATION ORIGIN AND AVAILABILITY
Nonprescription26,75

  • Fish oils

  • EPA and DHA

  • Triglyceride in natural form

  • Ethyl ester more concentrated and less expensive to produce

 Multiple ratios and concentrations

  • Krill oils

  • EPA and DHA

  • Phospholipid form

  • Possibly better absorbed

 Multiple products

  • Microalgal oils

  • EPA and DHA

  • Entirely plant based

  • Suitable for vegetarians and vegans

  • Multiple products

  • Expensive
Prescription only76

  • Omega-3 fatty acid ethyl esters (Lovaza)

  • EPA and DHA ethyl ester

  • Highly purified

  • Derived from fish oil

  • Expensive

  • Omega-3 carboxylic acids (Epanova)

  • EPA and DHA

  • Pure carboxylic acids (free fatty acids)

  • Better absorbed

  • Derived from fish oil

  • Used in the STRENGTH12 trial

  • No longer available

  • Icosapent ethyl (Vascepa)

  • EPA ethyl ester only

  • Synthetic derivative of fish oil

  • Used in the REDUCE-IT6 trial

  • Expensive

DHA—docosahexaenoic acid, EPA—eicosapentaenoic acid, REDUCE-IT—Reduction of Cardiovascular Events with EPA-Intervention Trial, STRENGTH—Long-Term Outcomes Study to Assess Statin Residual Risk with Epanova in High Cardiovascular Risk Patients with Hypertriglyceridemia.