Fish Oil Supplement plus a Statin?

This combination reduced the risk for major coronary events but not for sudden or coronary death, compared with a statin alone.

Epidemiologic studies and clinical trials have demonstrated that intake of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) is inversely associated with coronary heart disease. Now, researchers in Japan have conducted a prospective, open-label trial, involving 18,645 hypercholesterolemic patients, to examine the incremental effectiveness of adding a supplement containing eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) — a PUFA found in fatty fish — to statin therapy. The supplement manufacturer funded the study. Mean follow-up was 4.6 years.

Patients, stratified by need for primary or secondary prevention, were randomized to receive either 1800 mg/day of EPA plus a statin (pravastatin 10 mg/day or simvastatin 5 mg/day) or the statin alone. Mean baseline l…

Reviewing Author

JoAnne M. Foody, MD

Fish Oil Supplement plus a Statin?

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Reviewing Author