Rankings / Cardiovascular & Lipids
Icosapent ethyl (Vascepa)
CV/Lipid · Purified EPA ester
Tier A-
What this is
REDUCE-IT (2018) remains the pivotal trial. STRENGTH (mixed EPA+DHA carboxylic acid 2020) was negative, prompting ongoing debate whether pure EPA is specifically beneficial or whether REDUCE-IT's mineral oil placebo artifactually inflated effect. Either way, current guidelines support its use in elevated-TG patients on statins.
Mechanism
Highly purified EPA ethyl ester; lowers triglycerides; incorporates into membrane phospholipids; generates resolvins; plaque stabilization; EPA/AA ratio effects
Dose & route
4 g/day PO (2 g twice daily with food)
Citations
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30415628/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33190147/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8292716/
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This is an independent synthesis of published research by a non-clinician. Scores are opinions supported by citations, not prescriptions. See the full disclaimer and methodology for how this score was produced and what it does and doesn't mean.