You have received this West Street Surgery link, as you are eligible for a new medication.
Vazkepa is the new treatment for people who have their cholesterol levels under control but may still be at risk of heart disease for other reasons, particularly raised triglycerides.
It is a highly-purified omega 3 fatty acid (a type of fat that’s present in fish oil). It not a fish oil supplement that you can buy over the counter (OTC). Unlike OTC fish oils, Vazkepa only contains eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), whereas supplemental fish oils contain both EPA and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). By only containing EPA, Vazkepa reduces high triglycerides without raising levels of “bad” cholesterol or LDL-C.
Vazkepa is a lot stronger than most over the counter (OTC) fish oils (up to four times the strength) and much more expensive than OTC fish oils.
Clinical trail results have been amazing. In the REDUCE-IT trial, Vazkepa significantly reduced the risk of cardiovascular events, such as cardiovascular death, heart attack, stroke, coronary revascularisation, or hospitalisation for unstable angina by about 25%. In those with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), the risk of events decreased by 35%.
Clinical Trial Results | VASCEPA® (icosapent ethyl)
Health technology assessment (HTA) agency NICE has finalised its guidance on Amarin’s Vazkepa, clearing the path for GPs to start prescribing the drug in up to 425,000 NHS patients at high cardiovascular risk because of raised triglyceride levels. It is very, very expensive, which is why it has taken so long to get on our prescribing formulary. We have now received the green light for prescribing Vazkepa, which is why we are contacting eligible patients.
NICE unlocks use of Amarin’s Vazkepa in 425k NHS patients | pharmaphorum
More information about this new fish oil can be found at icosapent-ethyl – HEART UK
Visit our Lipids, Cholesterol, and Heart Health page for further information about Lipids and Cholesterol and treatments if you are found to have have raised levels.
Download the Vazkepa Patient Information leaflet below.