EPA (fish oil): from the Physician’s Desk Reference Health site

January 29, 2008

Thought we’d draw attention to a great online resource for getting the basics on a supplement, and for checking on potential interactions among supplements, drugs, food, alcohol:  Physicians’ Desk Reference (PDR) Health.
Below is an excerpt from the entry for EPA (fish oil), which includes the usual warning about interaction with blood-thinnning medications like Coumadin.

See also the entry on fish oil on the NYBC website.

EPA

What is it?
EPA is an oil that comes from fish. It is used to treat asthma, cancer, arthritis, Lupus, blood clotting, gingivitis (gum disease), high cholesterol, hypertension (high blood pressure), colitis (inflammatory bowel disease), Crohn’s disease, and psoriasis. EPA is also used as an antiinflammatory (help with pain and swelling), to stimulate the immune system, and for cardiovascular health, to help prevent heart disease and stroke. It may also be used to prevent Alzheimer’s disease.

Other names for EPA include: Eicosapentaenoic Acid, Fish Oil, Omega-3 Fatty Acid, Essential Fatty Acid. 

Drug and Food Interactions:
Do not take omega-3 fish oils such as EPA without talking to your doctor first if you are taking:

Blood thinning medicines (examples: warfarin (Coumadin(R); dicumarol (Dicumarol(R))

Entry Filed under: Omega-3, cardiovascular health, cholesterol, fish oil. Tags: , , , , , .

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