Fish oil

Category: lipid

Aliases: Omega-3 fish oil, Marine omega-3

Pharmacological Mechanism

Marine triglyceride preparation rich in the long-chain omega-3 PUFAs EPA (20:5n-3) and DHA (22:6n-3). Major actions are mediated by the individual constituents: EPA → eicosanoid class switch (less PGE2/LTB4, more PGE3/LTB5 — anti-inflammatory), partial PPARα agonism (TG lowering); DHA → membrane phospholipid incorporation (synaptic + retinal), partial PPARγ agonism. CV benefit signal in REDUCE-IT (icosapent ethyl, pure EPA) at 4 g/d; mixed signal in VITAL and STRENGTH. Typical commercial product = ~30% EPA + ~20% DHA (the remaining ~50% is non-omega lipids + binders).

Dosing Guidelines

Target Organ Systems