Lovaza History
The first prescription drug product containing omega-3 acids was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2004. It was sold in this market under the Omacor brand name until 2007, when the manufacturer, Reliant Pharmaceuticals, changed the name of the product to Lovaza. This was done to eliminate any confusion with the blood clotting medication Amicar (aminocaproic acid). Lovaza is presently distributed in the U.S. by the international drug manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline.
How is Lovaza Supplied
Lovaza is supplied in soft gelatin capsules containing approximately 900 mg of omega-3- acids each. The doage consists mainly of eicosapentaenoic acid (465 mg) and docosahexaenoic acid (375 mg).
Lovaza Side Effects
Lovaza is a natural dietary product and is not expected to have notable side effects. A small percentage of patients reported mild adverse reactions during clinical trials, including back pain (2.2%), flu symptoms (3.5%), infection (4.4%), pain (1.8%), angina pectoris (1.3%), indigestion (4.9%), burping (4.9%), rash (1.8%), and altered taste (2.7%).
Lovaza Administration
Lovaza is prescribed in a dosage of 4 capsules per day for the treatment of very high triglycerides. Given high cost and limited access, Lovaza is not commonly taken by AAS users. Instead, most steroid users will administer 4-6 grams per day of a quality fish oil supplement for general cholesterol and lipid support. Note that a supplement or prescription drug containing the omega-3-acids EPA and DHA may help reduce cardiovascular toxicity, but cannot be relied upon to completely eliminate potential damage from the abuse of anabolic/androgenic steroid drugs. Care should always be taken to monitor all aspects of health when taking AAS substances.
Lovaza Availability
High concentration omega-3 acid is marketed as a prescription drug product in the U.S. under the Lovaza brand name. Lovaza is also sold in select European and Asian markets. High quality fish oil supplements containing EPA and DHA are widely available over-thecounter in most markets.
References
Wlliam Llewellyn (2011) - Anabolics