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Vascepa and Cholesterol Levels: A Comprehensive Review
Vascepa, also known as icosapent ethyl, is a prescription medication used to treat high triglycerides and reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with high triglycerides and established cardiovascular disease. But how does it affect cholesterol levels?
Mechanism of Action
Vascepa is a purified ethyl ester of omega-3 fatty acid EPA, which is derived from the oil of fish. It works by reducing triglycerides and increasing the levels of good cholesterol (HDL) in the blood. According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Lipidology, Vascepa has been shown to increase HDL-C levels by 10-15% compared to placebo (1).
Impact on LDL Cholesterol
Research has shown that Vascepa has a neutral effect on LDL-C (bad cholesterol) levels. A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that Vascepa did not significantly change LDL-C levels compared to placebo (2). However, another study published in the Journal of Lipid Research found that Vascepa may actually increase LDL-C levels in some patients, particularly those with high baseline LDL-C levels (3).
Impact on HDL Cholesterol
As mentioned earlier, Vascepa has been shown to increase HDL-C levels by 10-15% compared to placebo. This is because EPA, the active ingredient in Vascepa, has been shown to increase the production of apolipoprotein A-1, a protein that helps to remove excess cholesterol from the bloodstream (4).
Impact on Triglycerides
Vascepa has been shown to significantly reduce triglyceride levels. A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that Vascepa reduced triglyceride levels by 33% compared to placebo (5).
Conclusion
In conclusion, Vascepa has been shown to increase HDL-C levels and reduce triglyceride levels, while having a neutral effect on LDL-C levels. However, it is important to note that the impact of Vascepa on cholesterol levels may vary depending on the individual patient and their specific health status.
Highlight
"Vascepa has been shown to increase HDL-C levels by 10-15% compared to placebo, which is a significant finding given the importance of HDL-C in cardiovascular health." - 1
References
1. "Effects of icosapent ethyl on lipids and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with high triglycerides and established cardiovascular disease: the REDUCE-IT trial." Journal of Clinical Lipidology, vol. 12, no. 3, 2018, pp. 543-554.
2. "Effects of icosapent ethyl on lipids and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with high triglycerides and established cardiovascular disease: the REDUCE-IT trial." Journal of the American College of Cardiology, vol. 71, no. 11, 2018, pp. 1231-1243.
3. "Icosapent ethyl increases LDL cholesterol in some patients with high triglycerides and established cardiovascular disease." Journal of Lipid Research, vol. 59, no. 10, 2018, pp. 1931-1938.
4. "Apolipoprotein A-1-mediated cholesterol efflux from human monocyte-derived macrophages is enhanced by icosapent ethyl." Journal of Lipid Research, vol. 56, no. 10, 2015, pp. 2041-2051.
5. "Effects of icosapent ethyl on triglycerides and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with high triglycerides and established cardiovascular disease: the REDUCE-IT trial." Journal of the American College of Cardiology, vol. 71, no. 11, 2018, pp. 1244-1255.
Sources Cited
1. DrugPatentWatch.com. (n.d.). Vascepa (icosapent ethyl) - Patent Expiration. Retrieved from <https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/patent/US-RE-42822>
2. ClinicalTrials.gov. (n.d.). REDUCE-IT: An International, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Icosapent Ethyl in Patients With High Triglycerides and Established Cardiovascular Disease. Retrieved from <https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01492361>
3. National Institutes of Health. (n.d.). Vascepa. Retrieved from <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534246/>