Vascepa and Joint Pain: What Users Say

• Nan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 20, 2019

For Hypertriglyceridemia "I started Vascepa on April 27th for high triglycerides. After 3 weeks, I started with horrible ankle pain in both ankles. I had been on vacation and attributed it to walking on the beach. It did not go away and after another couple of weeks, I started with joint pain in both knees and flu-like symptoms. I told my co-workers I felt like my legs weighed 100 lbs each. I could hardly make it through the day. On July 9th, I started researching Vascepa as it was the only thing different in my meds. I even was scared I had something like Lupus or Fibromyalgia. Imagine my relief when I saw that the main side effect was joint pain!! I discontinued the Vascepa on July 9th and 10 days later my ankles and knees are pain-free, and I can sleep again!!! It doesn't affect everyone the same way, but for me, I'm finished with it!!"

• Els...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 19, 2019

For Hypertriglyceridemia "I'm a healthy young (old) man and after taking Vascepa for nearly a year, my life changed. I was watching TV and there was an ad for Vascepa, I read the side effects: JOINT PAIN. OMG, that was my problem! Since I had been on this for the whole 2 months, I was having severe joint pains and did not know what that was. I try to avoid doctor visits. I have just stopped taking Vascepa and will talk to my doctor."

• Dig...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 10, 2019

For Hypertriglyceridemia "Started causing bad leg pain and weakness in legs after about 3 weeks. Hip, knees, and finger joints started aching bad. Got where I was stumbling and too weak to move. Quit 4 days ago and am getting better now."

• Wen...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 5, 2020

For Hypertriglyceridemia "My cardiologist put me on this after I had 3 stents put in. My recent blood work showed triglycerides in the high 200s. In the two years I have taken Vascepa, I have gained about 40 pounds. And now the muscle and joint pain. It was excruciating! It would wake me up at night - hips, ankles, shoulders - a different area every night. I had started at four a day - then I discovered it gave me terrible bad breath to the point people backed away from me. So I cut back to two at night. Two years on this med and in the beginning joint pain was never mentioned as a side effect, now they are mentioning it on the website. I stopped taking it 3 nights ago. The joint and muscle pain has almost completely subsided. I feel much better and have energy for the first time in a very long time."

• Not...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 23, 2020

For Hypertriglyceridemia "Noticed severe restless leg syndrome after starting Vascepa, something I never had before (other than when pregnant), and since this was the only new medication (I'm only on a blood pressure-lowering drug otherwise), I knew it was from Vascepa. Also, problems as others mentioned, such as heart beating faster, severe gastrointestinal issues, joint pain, and heartburn. Other issues I had were hair loss, and my nails started to crack and virtually stopped growing, and my skin aged quickly. I tried Vascepa for around 9 months at half dose (2 a day instead of 4). I wonder how bad my situation would have been at full dose! Since stopping, virtually all symptoms went away, even the nail issue. Hoping my hair will return. Would NOT recommend this drug. Also, did very little to lower triglycerides, only about 20 points."

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

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."

• Rob...
• May 25, 2017

For Hypertriglyceridemia "Triglycerides 515, so the doctor put me on Vascepa because I was concerned about muscle weakness with statin rx use. Took Vascepa for one month, and I have constant, generalized joint pain. I have arthritis, but the pain was manageable until I took Vascepa. I am not taking it anymore. Plus, Medicare will not cover it, and even with the Vascepa drug discount program, it cost me $74 for a one-month supply of 1 gram twice a day."

• Ste...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 20, 2023

For Hypertriglyceridemia "I believe my triglycerides went down. It seems the timing of when I started taking the medication coincides with a dramatic increase in joint pain, especially in my hips. Although I only take two gel caps a day. But maybe paired with my hypothyroidism...? I've stopped taking for about a week and noticed a decrease in the severity of pain."

• Sle...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 1, 2021

For Hypertriglyceridemia "I took Vascepa at my doctor's request. I am awake now at 1 AM because every muscle and joint in my body aches. I can now barely function during the day, the pain is so bad, and I wake up in the middle of the night numerous times to use the bathroom. My knee joints now crackle every time I sit down. My right arm, from elbow to wrist, is swollen, and I can no longer make a fist. I only took this medication for 6 to 8 weeks and had to stop because it felt like a cinderblock on my chest. I used to be able to take walks and ride a stationary bike. I can no longer do either. I am now doing a liver cleanse to try and get this stuff out of my body. If I don't improve soon, I don't know how I will continue to function."

• Cre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 25, 2021

For Hypertriglyceridemia "I started on one gram Vascepa twice a day a week and a half ago. My cholesterol is only 215, but my triglycerides are over 750. Yesterday I started hurting all over in most of my muscles and joints, even my ear, eye, and bottom of one foot. My hip is in terrible pain, although it was hurting previously, but not this bad. I'm not taking Vascepa again. Terribly expensive even with insurance."

• JKa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 9, 2018

For Hypertriglyceridemia "I've been taking Vascepa for high triglycerides for about 2 years now. After my first year, I had some joint pains in my left arm but didn't attribute it to Vascepa because I'd been on it for a year already. I spent about 2 months in physical therapy and am all better now, and I'm still currently on Vascepa. Amarin's website does say that joint pain is a side effect of Vascepa. My triglyceridemia levels were at about 750 when I was prescribed, and now it's about 500, so I think that it has helped me lower my trig level, although I haven't had a blood test done in about 8 months, so I'm not sure what it is currently, but I'm told that I might need to take Vascepa indefinitely, so that's that. I am also taking phenofibrate, but my doctor has said that Vascepa is a better option than phenofibrate because it's a natural fish oil, but I have read that Vascepa is really bad for the environment though."

• deb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 7, 2023

For Hypertriglyceridemia "I started taking 2 g, and after day one, I had severe joint pain and had no side effects. My triglycerides went from 380 to 140 in 2 months. Wow, works great."