Table 4 Summary of adverse events observed with omega-3 carboxylic acids [17], omega-3 ethyl esters [14], and icosapent ethyl [16] in pooled placebo-controlled trials conducted in patients with hypertriglyceridemia, based on prescribing information for each formulation
From: The clinical relevance of omega-3 fatty acids in the management of hypertriglyceridemia
Adverse event, % | OM3CA | OM3EE | IPE | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Adverse events occurring at an incidence ≥ 3 % | Adverse events occurring at an incidence ≥ 3 % | Adverse events occurring at an incidence > 2 % | |||||
|  | Placebo (olive oil) (n = 314) | OM3CA 2 g/day (n = 315) | OM3CA 4 g/day (n = 630) | Placebo (corn oil) (n = 370) | OM3EE (n = 655) | Placebo (mineral oil) (n = 309) | IPE (n = 622) |
Diarrhea | 2 | 7 | 15 | – | – | – | – |
Nausea | 1 | 4 | 6 | – | – | – | – |
Abdominal pain or discomfort | 2 | 3 | 5 | – | – | – | – |
Eructation | < 1 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 4 | – | – |
Dyspepsia | – | – | – | 2 | 3 | – | – |
Taste perversion | – | – | – | < 1 | 4 | – | – |
Arthralgia | – | – | – | – | – | 1 | 2 |