Icosapent and Constipation: What Users Say

• DMa...
• April 2, 2020

Icosapent for Hypertriglyceridemia "I’ve only been on Vascepa for about two weeks. My doctor put me on it for elevated cholesterol and triglycerides. I have no idea how it’s impacted my blood levels because I haven’t had a blood test done since I’ve been on it, but what I can say is I have experienced pretty much every GI side effect connected to this drug. Started with terrible diarrhea and bloating and progressed to bad constipation and stomach pain. On a positive note, I have noticed an increase in energy levels and my mood is lifted, but I stopped the medication today because the GI side effects are too much."

• Mic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 4, 2018

Icosapent for Hypertriglyceridemia "I started this drug on 4/13/2018, and within a week of being on it, I became bloated, gassy, and constipated. My skin is like an oil spill, and I'm retaining water like a blowfish. I'm on a diuretic for hypertension, and retaining water only shoots my BP up. As much water as I drink throughout the day, I might go to the bathroom 3 times total. My muscles ache constantly, with no relief from any of these side effects. I stopped taking it as of yesterday. Statins I cannot take without the joint and muscle pains and literally not able to walk or go up/down stairs. My triglycerides on April 5th were 257, and my total cholesterol was 211."

• Sam...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 3, 2023

Icosapent for Hypertriglyceridemia "Taking 4g of Vascepa along with 200mg of Fenofibrate per day has reduced my triglycerides from +8 to between 2 and 3 (in metric units). Vascepa didn’t reduce my triglycerides on its own, but it somewhat helped. Fenofibrate was an effective medication. The side effects that I think are attributed to Vascepa are constipation, dizziness, and lack of stamina. I am eighty years old, but I have been very active and going to the gym for the past 35 years, five days a week, two hours per day. I do heavy weightlifting. Yet recently, I feel tired quite faster than in the past. I also experienced shortness of breath occasionally, which I think is due to my mild anxiety. I’m not taking any medication for anxiety."

• Bar...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 13, 2023

For Hypertriglyceridemia "I started taking this drug because I could not get the triglycerides down. It did work VERY effectively, and I was happy with the low level. I did have diarrhea (as opposed to constipation, which is listed as a side effect). I did get a coupon from the company for a lower price."