If you have high triglyceride levels, your doctor might suggest Vascepa as a treatment option. It’s a prescription drug used to:

Vascepa comes as a capsule that you swallow. It’s available in two strengths: 0.5 gram (g) and 1 g. The active ingredient in Vascepa is icosapent ethyl. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)

Vascepa is usually taken long term. If you take it to reduce the risk of stroke and certain heart problems, you’ll likely take it with a statin medication.

For more information about Vascepa, including details about its uses, see this in-depth article.

Like other drugs, Vascepa can cause mild to serious side effects (also called adverse effects). Keep reading to learn more.

Some people may experience mild to serious side effects during their Vascepa treatment. Examples of the drug’s more commonly reported side effects include:

*To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

Examples of mild side effects that have been reported with Vascepa include:

*To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And don’t stop taking Vascepa unless your doctor recommends it.

Vascepa may cause mild side effects other than the ones listed above. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Vascepa, visit MedWatch.

Serious side effects that have been reported with Vascepa include:

If you develop serious side effects while taking Vascepa, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

*To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
†An allergic reaction is possible after taking Vascepa. But it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in studies.

Get answers to some common questions about Vascepa’s side effects.

Is hair loss a side effect of Vascepa?

No, Vascepa isn’t known to cause hair loss. This side effect wasn’t reported in studies of Vascepa. But hair loss can be a side effect of certain other medications you may take with Vascepa, such as statins and fibrates.

If you have hair loss while taking Vascepa, talk with your doctor. They can investigate the possible cause.

Does Vascepa cause any side effects of the liver?

Liver side effects weren’t reported in studies of Vascepa. But if you already have a problem with your liver, Vascepa could possibly affect your liver function. And high triglyceride levels, which Vascepa treats, can increase your risk of liver disease. Liver problems can also be a side effect of other drugs you may take with Vascepa, such as statins or fibrates.

Your doctor may order blood tests to check your liver function while you’re taking Vascepa. But if you develop symptoms of a new or worsening problem with your liver, see your doctor. These symptoms may include:

Can taking Vascepa result in erectile dysfunction?

No, it’s not likely. Erectile dysfunction wasn’t reported in studies of Vascepa.

Erectile dysfunction is a common symptom of heart disease. It’s also a common symptom of conditions that are risk factors for heart disease, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. You can take Vascepa if you have one of these conditions.

If you have new or worsening erectile dysfunction while taking Vascepa, talk with your doctor. They can investigate the possible cause.

Does Vascepa cause diarrhea?

It might. Diarrhea wasn’t reported in studies of Vascepa, but there have been reports of this side effect since the drug came on the market. It’s unclear though how often this has happened or if Vascepa was the cause.

If you have diarrhea while taking Vascepa, talk with your doctor. They can help determine the cause and recommend treatment if needed.

Learn more about some of the side effects Vascepa may cause.

Joint pain

Vascepa can sometimes cause pain or aching in your joints. It can also cause gout, a form of arthritis (joint swelling) that mainly affects the joint at the base of your big toe. In studies, joint pain and gout were among the more common side effects reported with Vascepa.

What might help

If you have pain or aching in your joints while taking Vascepa, gentle massage or stretching may help to ease it. Applying a cold pack may also help. You may find the pain improves as your body gets used to the drug.

If you have pain that’s bothersome or doesn’t go away, over-the-counter pain relievers may help. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to recommend a suitable product.

If you have severe pain in your big toe while taking Vascepa, see your doctor. They can determine if you have gout and if so, whether this is caused by Vascepa or another factor.

Constipation

You may have constipation while taking Vascepa. In studies, constipation was one of the more common side effects of this drug.

Symptoms of constipation can include:

  • passing stools less often than usual
  • straining to pass stools
  • passing stools that are dry, hard, or lumpy
  • feeling that you haven’t fully emptied your bowels

What might help

If you have constipation while taking Vascepa, it may go away as your body gets used to the drug. It may help to:

  • drink more water
  • eat more fiber-rich foods, such as raw fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans, prunes, or bran cereal
  • cut down on meat, dairy, and processed foods
  • do moderate exercise, such as walking or swimming, for about 30 minutes every day

If you have constipation that doesn’t improve with these measures, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may recommend taking a laxative for a short time and can suggest a suitable product.

Abnormal heart rhythm

Vascepa can sometimes cause atrial fibrillation (AFib) and atrial flutter (AFL), which are kinds of abnormal heart rhythm. AFib and AFL can increase your risk of developing blood clots that could cause a heart attack or stroke.

In studies, AFib and AFL weren’t common with Vascepa. But you may have an increased risk of these side effects if you’ve had AFib or AFL in the past.

Symptoms of AFib and AFL include:

If you have AFib or AFL with Vascepa, you may need treatment in a hospital.

What might help

If you have symptoms of AFib or AFL while taking Vascepa, call your doctor right away. But if your symptoms feel life threatening, call 911 or your local emergency number.

Bleeding

Vascepa can make it harder for your blood to form clots, so it may increase your risk of bleeding. For example, you may be more likely to have minor bleeding, such as nosebleeds or bleeding gums. Or you may take longer than usual to stop bleeding after an injury. You may also have an increased risk of serious bleeding inside your body.

In studies, minor bleeding was common with Vascepa, but serious bleeding was rare. You may have a higher risk of bleeding if you take certain medications with Vascepa, especially blood thinners. Examples of blood thinners include:

Symptoms of serious bleeding inside your body may include:

  • coughing up blood
  • vomiting blood, which may look like coffee grounds
  • blood in your urine, which may look pink or red
  • blood in your stool, which may look red, black, or tar-like

What might help

If you take other drugs, herbs, or supplements, talk with your doctor about whether Vascepa is right for you. If you’re prescribed Vascepa, be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medications, herbs, or supplements. They can tell you if the combination is safe.

If you have any unusual bleeding while taking Vascepa, talk with your doctor. But if you have symptoms of serious bleeding inside your body, see your doctor right away. And if your symptoms feel life threatening, call 911 or your local emergency number.

Allergic reaction

Like most drugs, Vascepa can cause an allergic reaction in some people. But it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in studies. Symptoms can be mild to serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itchiness
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
  • swelling under your skin, usually in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms. Examples include:

  • an antihistamine you take by mouth, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
  • a product you apply to your skin, such as hydrocortisone cream

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a mild allergic reaction to Vascepa, they’ll decide if you should continue taking it.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Vascepa, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Keeping track of side effects

During your Vascepa treatment, consider taking notes on any side effects you’re having. You can then share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful when you first start taking new drugs or using a combination of treatments.

Your side effect notes can include things such as:

  • what dose of the drug you were taking when you had the side effect
  • how soon you had the side effect after starting that dose
  • what your symptoms were
  • how it affected your daily activities
  • what other medications you were taking
  • any other information you feel is important

Keeping notes and sharing them with your doctor will help them learn more about how Vascepa affects you. They can then use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.

Vascepa may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether Vascepa is a good treatment option for you. Talk with your doctor about your health history before starting this drug. Below are some factors to consider.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Vascepa or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe it for you. Ask them about other treatments that might be better options.

Fish or shellfish allergy. Vascepa is made from fish oil. It’s not known if people who are allergic to fish or shellfish are more likely to have an allergic reaction to Vascepa. If you have a fish or shellfish allergy, talk with your doctor about whether this treatment is right for you.

Atrial fibrillation or flutter. Vascepa can sometimes cause atrial fibrillation (AFib) and atrial flutter (AFL), which are types of abnormal heart rhythm. If you’ve had AFib or AFL in the past, you may have an increased risk of these abnormal heart rhythms with Vascepa. Talk with your doctor about whether this drug is right for you.

Liver problems. If you have a liver problem, Vascepa may affect your liver function. Your doctor may order tests to check your liver function from time to time while you’re taking Vascepa.

Alcohol and Vascepa

Alcohol isn’t known to interact with Vascepa. But if you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much is safe to consume while taking this drug. Vascepa is taken to lower triglyceride levels. Drinking large amounts of alcohol can increase your triglyceride levels.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Vascepa

It’s not known if it’s safe to take Vascepa during pregnancy. If you’re pregnant or plan to become pregnant, talk with your doctor about the pros and cons of taking Vascepa.

Vascepa may pass into breast milk, but it’s not known what effect it might have on a child who’s breastfed. If you’re breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed, talk with your doctor about the benefits and risks of taking Vascepa.

Vascepa has some common side effects, but these are usually mild and easily managed. A few serious side effects are also possible, but most people who take Vascepa do so without any problems.

If you have questions about possible side effects of Vascepa, talk with your doctor. They can help you decide if this drug is a good option for you. Here are some examples of questions you might want to ask:

  • Do I have a high risk of heart rhythm problems with Vascepa?
  • Do other drugs I take increase my risk of side effects with Vascepa?
  • Does taking Vascepa long-term increase the risk of side effects?

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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.