What is the Difference Between Vascepa and Fish Oil?

Vascepa and fish oil are both sources of omega-3 fatty acids, but they have some key differences:

1. Ingredients: Vascepa contains icosapent ethyl, which is a modified version of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), a type of omega-3 fatty acid found in fish oil. Fish oil, on the other hand, contains both EPA and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), another type of omega-3 fatty acid.
2. Source: Vascepa is a prescription medication and not a fish oil supplement. It is made from a high-purity EPA derived from fish, but it is not a fish oil itself. Fish oil supplements can contain natural forms of oils from various fish, such as mackerel, salmon, trout, and tuna, and may also contain certain toxins found in fish.
3. Purity: Vascepa is a purified form of EPA, which means it contains a higher concentration of EPA than many over-the-counter fish oil supplements.
4. Prescription vs. Over-the-counter: Vascepa is a prescription medication used to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease in people with high triglyceride levels. Fish oil supplements, on the other hand, are available over-the-counter and are often used for dietary supplementation.
5. Effects on LDL-C: Vascepa has been shown to reduce high triglycerides without raising levels of "bad" cholesterol or LDL-C. This may be due to the absence of DHA, which has been found to significantly increase median LDL-C levels when present in prescription omega-3 fatty acid products.
6. Cost: Vascepa is generally more expensive than over-the-counter fish oil supplements, costing around $300 per month without insurance.

In summary, Vascepa and fish oil both contain omega-3 fatty acids, but Vascepa is a purified, prescription form of EPA, while fish oil supplements contain both EPA and DHA and are available over-the-counter. Vascepa is specifically used to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease in people with high triglyceride levels, and it has a different effect on LDL-C levels compared to fish oil supplements.

Comparative Table: Vascepa vs Fish Oil

Here is a table comparing the differences between Vascepa and fish oil:

The key difference between Vascepa and fish oil is that Vascepa contains only eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), whereas fish oil contains both eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Vascepa is a prescription medication used to treat dyslipidemia and hypertriglyceridemia, while fish oil is an over-the-counter dietary supplement.