akn
Musclechemistry Member
Description:
Lovaza is a prescription omega-3-acid supplement which
contains ethyl esters of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and
docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).lt is fundamentally similar to
most over-the-counter fish oil supplements, except that
Lovaza is highly purified to drug quality standards, is made
with a high (900/0) concentration of omega-3 acids, and has
gone through extensive clinical trials for a specified
therapeutic use. Otherwise, the benefits of EPA/DHA
should be reproducible with any quality mercury-free fish
oil supplement. In the U.S., Lovaza is approved to lower
triglycerides in patients with very high triglyceride levels
(>500 mg/dL). Clinical studies showed triglyceride
reductions by as much as 45% with its use.8S9 860 In
addition, this prescription supplement has been shown to
increase HDL (good) cholesterol levels, improve lipoprotein
particle size and subclass distribution,861 and reduce
cardiovascular mortality in some patients by 30%.862
EPA/DHA supplements are commonly taken by
anabolic/androgenic steroid users in an effort to reduce
the negative cardiovascular effects of AAS.
The mechanism of action of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)
and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is not fully understood.
These omega-3 acids appear to exert their favorable
properties over serum lipids through a number of different
but complimentary pathways. For one, EPA and DHA
appear to be effective at increasing the enzyme hepatic
lipoprotein Iipase,863 which can increase the excretion of
LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. These omega-3 acids
may also increase mitochondrial and peroxisomal betaoxidation,
reducing the availability of fatty acids for lipid
synthesis.864 They may also suppress nuclear SREBP-l,
which reduces hepatic Iipogenesis.86S EPA and DHA also
appear to decrease the activity of the triglyceridesynthesizing
enzyme diacylgylcerol acyltranferase.866 The
lipid reducing actions of EPA and DHA, therefore, appear to
be several fold, including reduced substrate availability,
reduced lipid synthesis, and increased lipid breakdown.
History:
The first prescription drug product containing omega-3
acids was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration in 2004. It was sold in this market under the
Omacor brand name until 2007, when the manufacturer,
Reliant Pharmaceuticals, changed the name of the product
to Lovaza. This was done to eliminate any confusion with
the blood clotting medication Amicar (aminocaproic acid).
Lovaza is presently distributed in the U.S. by the
international drug manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline.
How Supplied:
Lovaza is supplied in soft gelatin capsules containing
approximately 900 mg of omega-3-acids each. The doage
consists mainly of eicosapentaenoic acid (465 mg) and
docosahexaenoic acid (375 mg).
Side Effects:
Lovaza is a natural dietary product and is not expected to
have notable side effects. A small percentage of patients
reported mild adverse reactions during clinical trials,
including back pain (2.2%), flu symptoms (3.50/0), infection
(4.40/0), pain (1.80/0), angina pectoris (1.30/0), indigestion
(4.90/0), burping (4.90/0), rash (1.8%), and altered taste (2.70/0).
Administration:
Lovaza is prescribed in a dosage of 4 capsules per day for
the treatment of very high triglycerides. Given high cost
and limited access, Lovaza is not commonly taken by AAS
users. Instead, most steroid users will administer 4-6 grams
per day of a quality fish oil supplement for general
cholesterol and lipid support. Note that a supplement or
prescription drug containing the omega-3-acids EPA and
DHA may help reduce cardiovascular toxicity, but cannot
be relied upon to completely eliminate potential damage
from the abuse of anabolic/androgenic steroid drugs. Care
should always be taken to monitor all aspects of health
when taking AAS substances.
Availability:
High concentration omega-3 acid is marketed as a
prescription drug product in the U.S. under the Lovaza
brand name. Lovaza is also sold in select European and
Asian markets. High quality fish oil supplements containing
EPA and DHA are widely available over-the-counter in most
markets.
William llewellyn's ANABOLICS, 9th ed.
Lovaza is a prescription omega-3-acid supplement which
contains ethyl esters of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and
docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).lt is fundamentally similar to
most over-the-counter fish oil supplements, except that
Lovaza is highly purified to drug quality standards, is made
with a high (900/0) concentration of omega-3 acids, and has
gone through extensive clinical trials for a specified
therapeutic use. Otherwise, the benefits of EPA/DHA
should be reproducible with any quality mercury-free fish
oil supplement. In the U.S., Lovaza is approved to lower
triglycerides in patients with very high triglyceride levels
(>500 mg/dL). Clinical studies showed triglyceride
reductions by as much as 45% with its use.8S9 860 In
addition, this prescription supplement has been shown to
increase HDL (good) cholesterol levels, improve lipoprotein
particle size and subclass distribution,861 and reduce
cardiovascular mortality in some patients by 30%.862
EPA/DHA supplements are commonly taken by
anabolic/androgenic steroid users in an effort to reduce
the negative cardiovascular effects of AAS.
The mechanism of action of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)
and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is not fully understood.
These omega-3 acids appear to exert their favorable
properties over serum lipids through a number of different
but complimentary pathways. For one, EPA and DHA
appear to be effective at increasing the enzyme hepatic
lipoprotein Iipase,863 which can increase the excretion of
LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. These omega-3 acids
may also increase mitochondrial and peroxisomal betaoxidation,
reducing the availability of fatty acids for lipid
synthesis.864 They may also suppress nuclear SREBP-l,
which reduces hepatic Iipogenesis.86S EPA and DHA also
appear to decrease the activity of the triglyceridesynthesizing
enzyme diacylgylcerol acyltranferase.866 The
lipid reducing actions of EPA and DHA, therefore, appear to
be several fold, including reduced substrate availability,
reduced lipid synthesis, and increased lipid breakdown.
History:
The first prescription drug product containing omega-3
acids was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration in 2004. It was sold in this market under the
Omacor brand name until 2007, when the manufacturer,
Reliant Pharmaceuticals, changed the name of the product
to Lovaza. This was done to eliminate any confusion with
the blood clotting medication Amicar (aminocaproic acid).
Lovaza is presently distributed in the U.S. by the
international drug manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline.
How Supplied:
Lovaza is supplied in soft gelatin capsules containing
approximately 900 mg of omega-3-acids each. The doage
consists mainly of eicosapentaenoic acid (465 mg) and
docosahexaenoic acid (375 mg).
Side Effects:
Lovaza is a natural dietary product and is not expected to
have notable side effects. A small percentage of patients
reported mild adverse reactions during clinical trials,
including back pain (2.2%), flu symptoms (3.50/0), infection
(4.40/0), pain (1.80/0), angina pectoris (1.30/0), indigestion
(4.90/0), burping (4.90/0), rash (1.8%), and altered taste (2.70/0).
Administration:
Lovaza is prescribed in a dosage of 4 capsules per day for
the treatment of very high triglycerides. Given high cost
and limited access, Lovaza is not commonly taken by AAS
users. Instead, most steroid users will administer 4-6 grams
per day of a quality fish oil supplement for general
cholesterol and lipid support. Note that a supplement or
prescription drug containing the omega-3-acids EPA and
DHA may help reduce cardiovascular toxicity, but cannot
be relied upon to completely eliminate potential damage
from the abuse of anabolic/androgenic steroid drugs. Care
should always be taken to monitor all aspects of health
when taking AAS substances.
Availability:
High concentration omega-3 acid is marketed as a
prescription drug product in the U.S. under the Lovaza
brand name. Lovaza is also sold in select European and
Asian markets. High quality fish oil supplements containing
EPA and DHA are widely available over-the-counter in most
markets.
William llewellyn's ANABOLICS, 9th ed.
