Vascepa User Reviews & Ratings (Page 3)

• fog...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 28, 2021

For Hypertriglyceridemia "Cardiologist prescribed generic Vascepa because I have high triglycerides and suffer real bad allergic reactions to all statins. Took the Vascepa for 2 weeks and experienced terrible muscular pains similar to those from statins (although the doctor says the two drugs don't work the same). Then discovered at several medical sites with authority that Vascepa works when taken alongside special diet and exercise programs. Also takes 5 years to see any beneficial results equal to the original research numbers. So, waste of money and pain to swallow 4 'horse pills' daily, especially if you are age 77 like me, with probably only another 5 good years of life left before nature takes its course on the average human body."

• Ste...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 25, 2020

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "Have aortic stenosis and a 138 score triglycerides before taking Vascepa. I took Vascepa to lower my score under 100. LOLOL in 6 months my score was '198'. Sought out other reviews. After reading these reviews, I feel Vascepa will not help me meet any beneficial goals."

• 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."

• N40...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 8, 2016

For Hypertriglyceridemia "Vascepa since 4/1/2013, 79 years old, T1D since 1957. Other meds = 40 mg/day Zocor > 20 yrs; insulin. HbA1c = 6.5; FBG = 111 mg/dL. Total cholesterol = 144 mg/dL; TGCs = 63 mg/dL; HDL = 61 mg/dL; VLDL = 13 mg/dL; LDL-C = 70 mg/dL; C-reactive protein = 2.2 mg/dL; APO B = 60 mg/dL; Lp-PLA2 = 216; EPA = 7.0%; AA = 5.3%; EPA/AA ratio = 1.3; DHA = 2.1%; O-6/O-3 ratio = 1.8; O-3 (EPA DHA) index = 9.1%, optimal > 3.2%. No side effects known; no aches; DES (dry eye) disappeared within 3-4 days of the 1st dose; walking speed is better, feel more flexible. Vascepa is easy to use; PCP [I.M.] describes my health as excellent, and that advanced CV risk parameters = excellent profile and optimally suppressed."

• 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."

• dou...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 30, 2021

For Hypertriglyceridemia "Heart doctor put me on it for high triglycerides and increased dosage to four a day. I no longer can ride in a car or hardly walk from the severe pain these pills have caused. I have regular feelings of gout, aching in both shoulders, and Afib. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy. Didn't start out this way but sure has ended this way. Got to get in and figure something else out before something else gives out on my body."

• 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."

• Jid...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 27, 2018

For Hypertriglyceridemia "Started with 1 gram twice daily. After a week, took 2 grams twice daily. After 6 weeks, triglycerides dropped from 950 to 625. Meantime, my right eye was troubling me from macular degeneration. Got two treatments. Trouble reading. Also experienced right arm muscle pain and weakness. Couldn’t lift it straight out. After a few weeks, I stopped Vascepa. Eye got much better. Arm somewhat better. Still waiting for arm to resume normalcy. Possible my eye vitamin added to the problem."

• Mol...
• November 2, 2016

For Hypertriglyceridemia "6 weeks of constant bathroom use, oily skin that caused clogged glands in my eyes, terrible body stiffness and aches... no energy, fatigue... But HEY, it did lower my triglycerides from 231 to 230-all while raising my total cholesterol 21 points, lowering my HDL by 2 points, and raising my LDL by 23 points. Also raised my blood sugar a bit too. So, in summary, in 6 weeks of suffering just to be in worse health. I would give this medication a 0 if I could."

• 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."

• Yog...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 9, 2021

For Hypertriglyceridemia "I really wasn't aware of the outrageous cost until my insurance briefly lapsed. It's $330 a month. For fish oil. I almost felt bad for my health insurance co. Almost. I've been taking this Gucci fish oil for two years, and my cholesterol has barely budged. A little research seems to show only two studies that were paid for by Amerin that show good results in a very carefully selected group of people. I'm done with Vascepa. It all sounds more like snake oil."

• 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."

• MMo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 8, 2023

For Hypertriglyceridemia "Vascepa lowered my triglycerides, but I had to quit taking it. Caused awful itching and pimple-like spots on my back and shoulders. I wanted to make certain the itching was from Vascepa and not something else, so I eliminated just Vascepa for a week. The itching lessened every day, and the skin is clear after two weeks. Great at lowering triglycerides, but had to quit taking because of itching."

• Arb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 9, 2019

For Hypertriglyceridemia "On Vascepa for 1 month, Dr. wanted to see if it lowered my LDL. However, my triglycerides are very normal (<100), so not sure if this is really the right drug for me. Too soon to say if any benefit. My only comment is on the price. The best I can do is $198 per month (4 gm/day). I am going to split Vascepa with a 1000 mg pure EPA product from GNC, at 1/3 the cost."

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

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."

• Anonymous
• July 10, 2021

For Hypertriglyceridemia "Was on Vascepa for 6 months. No side effects. My triglycerides stayed the same and my LDL increased by 100, and my HDL increased by 5. No diet changes or exercise changes during the six months. So not worth it."

• Sue...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 6, 2018

For Hypertriglyceridemia "Took Vascepa for 2 months, about to start the 3rd month when I started to have flashes (floater type) in my eye to the extreme. I also felt pressure in my left eye. I went to my ophthalmologist who told me the gel inside my eye was pushing forward and might cause a tear to my retina. I was given another appointment in 7 days for a wait and see what happens. If a tear occurred, he would have to laser the eye to save my retina and my sight. I don't have problems like this, I am healthy - I thought. What am I doing new that caused this or is causing this? Vascepa... stopped taking it and 4 days later, I noticed that the flashes were a lot less and no pressure to my eye. I have stopped taking Vascepa and started taking regular fish oil...."

• Jes...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 1, 2019

For Hypertriglyceridemia "- Vascepa will definitely give you some skin irritations and what looks like bites or sores. After years of good results with taking ordinary Omega-3, I was forced to switch to Vascepa as a drug change by CVS Caremark, bad judgment! This one drug, which the manufacturer put the doctors on their review listing, and then had the gall to actually pay them to keep quiet. Beware!"

• Buc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 29, 2023

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "Started several months ago. Stopped due to muscle aches and pains. Got better within 2 days, normal after 4 days. I got anxious about not taking it after weeks, so I started again. Aches and pains the next day, so I quit again. Still had some aches and pains, so I stopped some other meds. My pains went away almost completely. I’ve started back on Vascepa and have no aches or pains. I guess interaction with other meds was a problem. If a person is taking several meds, and all of them have a common side effect, it’s bound to happen."

• jlm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 12, 2017

For Hypertriglyceridemia "Have only taken now for 3 weeks. Thus far, I can't say I've noticed any side effects other than I swear my skin is softer. I was put on a low-carb diet, less than 100 grams daily in an attempt to lower triglycerides. I had started a regular walking program of at least 5 miles daily. My HDL's had increased 10 points in 6 months; my LDL & VLDL went down; cholesterol dropped a few points. I had even lost 4 pounds, but my triglycerides almost doubled to 273! She asked me at that point, 'Eating carbs by chance?' :| Who, me??? Yes, I'm a bread lover......(sigh). So even though I'm not needing to lose but maybe 5 lbs, my triglyceride number has got to improve! I'll re-rate this script when she re-does my blood work in October 2017."

• 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."

• Man...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 6, 2020

For Hypertriglyceridemia "I have always had high triglycerides on annual physicals. Immediately lowered after taking Vascepa, without changing diet. Have before and after blood tests. I've been on for about 5 months with no side effects. I also take 10 mg atorvastatin, which I've been on for 15 years."

• LLa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 25, 2020

For Hypertriglyceridemia "I was started on Vascepa to help high triglycerides and to raise HDL. Was not consistently taking them. Twice a day because they were big pills, and one time I had a mild, bad fish taste. Had been on them for about 3 months and noticed heart irregularity, lightheaded for brief moments. Wore a monitor and it showed SVT, PATs, and possible short bout of A-Fib. Mentioned to my cardiologist that my newest medication was Vascepa, but he did not think anything of it. So, two ER visits later, I looked Vascepa up and saw that a small percentage of patients had these side effects. I stopped taking them on my own and messaged my doctor that I stopped. I now am taking metoprolol, a small dose. My question is: will these heart symptoms go away or is this now a permanent problem?"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 24, 2023

"I don’t know if it helps. I have had Afib attacks for about 20 years. Have significant weight gaps, swelling, unexplained stomach symptoms, and intermittent pain like fibromyalgia. I fear it caused episodes with an implanted heart recorder, but we can’t find the reason for this time. I have had unsuccessful Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT) ablation. In the past, before cholesterol was high, Afib was fixed twice by ablation. Doctors are clueless about my mystery symptoms, but I’m thinking of stopping Vascepa for the rest of the year."

• TLP...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 19, 2023

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "You want to avoid taking this medication if you drink alcohol, which I do daily. I was experiencing shortness of breath very badly, to the point where I was ready to go to the hospital. My fault, but my doctor should’ve informed me of such things since he knew I was a drinker. I stopped taking the medication."