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icosapent ethyl
Overview
Active ingredients
Source: NDC DirectoryForms, strengths and routes
Source: NDC DirectoryRegulatory status
Source: Drugs@FDANDC Directory| Product | Trade name | Form | Strength | Ingredient | Status | TE | Flags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 217919-001 | ICOSAPENT ETHYL | CAPSULE | ICOSAPENT ETHYL | Prescription | AB | ||
| 217919-002 | ICOSAPENT ETHYL | CAPSULE | ICOSAPENT ETHYL | Prescription | AB |
Therapeutic equivalence
Source: Orange BookWhat this rating means: Therapeutically equivalent — bioequivalence demonstrated by in vivo or in vitro testing
Codes beginning with “A” indicate products the FDA considers therapeutically equivalent. Codes beginning with “B” indicate bioequivalence has not been established. See methodology.
Approval history
Source: Drugs@FDA| Type | No. | Action | Status | Date | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Original application | 1 | Approved | December 22, 2023 | Standard |
Prescribing information
Source: openFDA Drug LabelingReproduced verbatim from the Structured Product Labeling submitted to the FDA (effective 20260605). This is the manufacturer's labelling text, not a summary and not advice.
Indications and Usage
openFDA Drug Labeling1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Icosapent ethyl capsules are indicated: as an adjunct to diet to reduce triglyceride (TG) levels in adult patients with severe (≥ 500 mg/dL)hypertriglyceridemia. Limitations of Use: The effect of icosapent ethyl capsules on the risk for pancreatitis in patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia has not been determined. Icosapent ethyl capsules are an ethyl ester of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) indicated: • as an adjunct to diet to reduce triglyceride (TG) levels in adult patients with severe (≥ 500 mg/dL) hypertriglyceridemia. ( 1 ) Limitations of Use: • The effect of icosapent ethyl capsules on the risk for pancreatitis in patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia has not been determined. ( 1 )
Dosage and Administration
openFDA Drug Labeling2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Assess lipid levels before initiating therapy. Identify other causes of high triglyceride levels and manage as appropriate. ( 2.1 ) Patients should engage in appropriate nutritional intake and physical activity before receiving icosapent ethyl capsules, which should continue during treatment. ( 2.1 ) The daily dose of icosapent ethyl capsules is 4 grams per day taken as either four 500 milligram capsules twice daily with food or two 1 gram capsules twice daily with food. ( 2.2 ) Advise patients to swallow capsules whole. Do not break open, crush, dissolve, or chew icosapent ethyl capsules. ( 2.2 ) 2.1 Prior to Initiation of Icosapent Ethyl Capsules Assess lipid levels before initiating therapy. Identify other causes (e.g., diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, or medications) of high triglyceride levels and manage as appropriate. Patients should engage in appropriate nutritional intake and physical activity before receiving icosapent ethyl capsules, which should continue during treatment with icosapent ethyl capsules. 2.2 Dosage and Administration The daily dose of icosapent ethyl capsules is 4 grams per day taken as either: four 500 milligram capsules twice daily with food; or as two 1 gram capsules twice daily with food. Advise patients to swallow icosapent ethyl capsules whole. Do not break open, crush, dissolve, or chew icosapent ethyl capsules.
Dosage Forms and Strengths
openFDA Drug Labeling3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS Icosapent ethyl capsules are supplied as: 500 milligram - oval, transparent, soft-gelatin capsules filled with yellow oil. Imprint in black ink TV over 0126. 1 gram - oblong, transparent, soft-gelatin capsules filled with yellow oil. Imprint in black ink TEVA over 127. Capsules: 500 milligram and 1 gram ( 3 )
Contraindications
openFDA Drug Labeling4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Icosapent ethyl capsules are contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity (e.g., anaphylactic reaction) to icosapent ethyl or any of its components. Icosapent ethyl capsules are contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity (e.g., anaphylactic reaction) to icosapent ethyl or any of its components. ( 4 )
Warnings and Cautions
openFDA Drug Labeling5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Atrial Fibrillation/Flutter: Icosapent ethyl capsule was associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter requiring hospitalization in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The incidence of atrial fibrillation was greater in patients with a previous history of atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter. ( 5.1 ) Potential for Allergic Reactions in Patients with Fish Allergy: Icosapent ethyl capsule contains ethyl esters of the omega-3 fatty acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), obtained from the oil of fish. It is not known whether patients with allergies to fish and/or shellfish are at increased risk of an allergic reaction to icosapent ethyl capsules. Inform patients with known hypersensitivity to fish and/or shellfish about the potential for allergic reactions and advise them to discontinue icosapent ethyl capsules and seek medical attention if any reactions occur. ( 5.2 ) Bleeding: Icosapent ethyl capsule was associated with an increased risk of bleeding in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The incidence of bleeding was greater in patients receiving concomitant antithrombotic medications, such as aspirin, clopidogrel, or warfarin. ( 5.3 ) 5.1 Atrial Fibrillation/Flutter Icosapent ethyl capsules are associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter requiring hospitalization. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 8,179 subjects, adjudicated atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter requiring hospitalization for 24 or more hours occurred in 127 (3%) patients treated with icosapent ethyl capsules compared to 84 (2%) patients receiving placebo [HR=1.5 (95% Cl 1.14, 1.98)]. The incidence of atrial fibrillation was greater in patients with a previous history of atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter. 5.2 Potential for Allergic Reactions in Patients with Fish Allergy Icosapent ethyl capsule contains ethyl esters of the omega-3 fatty acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), obtained from the oil of fish. It is not known whether patients with allergies to fish and/or shellfish are at increased risk of an allergic reaction to icosapent ethyl capsules. Inform patients with known hypersensitivity to fish and/or shellfish about the potential for allergic reactions to icosapent ethyl capsules and advise them to discontinue icosapent ethyl capsules and seek medical attention if any reactions occur. 5.3 Bleeding Icosapent ethyl capsules are associated with an increased risk of bleeding. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 8,179 patients, 482 (12%) patients receiving icosapent ethyl capsules experienced a bleeding event compared to 404 (10%) patients receiving placebo. Serious bleeding events occurred in 111 (3%) of patients on icosapent ethyl capsules vs. 85 (2%) of patients receiving placebo. The incidence of bleeding was greater in patients receiving concomitant antithrombotic medications, such as aspirin, clopidogrel, or warfarin.
Adverse Reactions
openFDA Drug Labeling6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following important adverse reactions are described below and elsewhere in the labeling: Atrial Fibrillation or Atrial Flutter [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Potential for Allergic Reactions in Patients with Fish Allergy [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Bleeding [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] Common adverse reactions (incidence ≥3% and ≥1% more frequent than placebo): musculoskeletal pain, peripheral edema, constipation, gout and atrial fibrillation. ( 6.1 ) Common adverse reactions in the hypertriglyceridemia trials (incidence ≥1% more frequent than placebo): arthralgia and oropharyngeal pain. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Torrent Pharma Inc. at 1-800-912-9561 or contact the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Common adverse reactions (incidence ≥3% on icosapent ethyl capsules and ≥1% more frequent than placebo) included musculoskeletal pain, peripheral edema, constipation, gout and atrial fibrillation. Hypertriglyceridemia Trials In two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials in patients with triglyceride levels between 200 and 2000 mg/dL treated for 12 weeks, adverse reactions reported with icosapent ethyl capsules at an incidence ≥1% more frequent than placebo based on pooled data included arthralgia and oropharyngeal pain. 6.2 Postmarketing Experience Additional adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of icosapent ethyl capsules. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is generally not possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Diarrhea Blood triglycerides increased Abdominal discomfort Pain in the extremities
Drug Interactions
openFDA Drug Labeling7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Increased Bleeding Risk with Anticoagulants and Antiplatelet Agents: Some published studies with omega-3 fatty acids have demonstrated prolongation of bleeding time. Monitor patients receiving icosapent ethyl capsules and concomitant anticoagulants and/or antiplatelet agents for bleeding. ( 7 ) 7.1 Increased Bleeding Risk with Anticoagulants and Antiplatelet Agents Some published studies with omega-3 fatty acids have demonstrated prolongation of bleeding time. The prolongation of bleeding time reported in those studies has not exceeded normal limits and did not produce clinically significant bleeding episodes. Monitor patients receiving icosapent ethyl capsules and concomitant anticoagulants and/or antiplatelet agents for bleeding.
Use in Specific Populations
openFDA Drug Labeling8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS 8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary The available data from published case reports and the pharmacovigilance database on the use of icosapent ethyl capsules in pregnant women are insufficient to identify a drug-associated risk for major birth defects, miscarriage or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. In animal reproduction studies in pregnant rats, non-dose-related imbalances for some minor developmental findings were observed with oral administration of icosapent ethyl during organogenesis at exposures that were equivalent to the clinical exposure at the human dose of 4 g/day, based on body surface area comparisons. In a study in pregnant rabbits orally administered icosapent ethyl during organogenesis, there were no clinically relevant adverse developmental effects at exposures that were 5 times the clinical exposure, based on body surface area comparisons ( see Data ). The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and15-20%, respectively. Data Animal Data In pregnant rats given oral gavage doses of 0.3, 1 and 2 g/kg/day icosapent ethyl from gestation through organogenesis all drug treated groups had non-dose-related imbalances in visceral and skeletal findings, including 13th reduced ribs, additional liver lobes, testes medially displaced and/or not descended, at human systemic exposures following a maximum oral dose of 4 g/day based on body surface comparisons. In a multigenerational developmental study in pregnant rats given doses of 0.3, 1, 3 g/kg/day icosapent ethyl by oral gavage from gestation day 7-17, icosapent ethyl did not affect viability in fetuses (F1 or F2). Non-dose-related imbalances in findings of absent optic nerves and unilateral testes atrophy at human exposures based on the maximum dose of 4 g/day and on body surface area comparisons.Additional variations consisting of early incisor eruption and increased percent cervical ribs were observed at the same exposures. Pups from high dose treated dams exhibited decreased copulation rates, delayed estrus, decreased implantations and decreased surviving fetuses (F2) suggesting potential multigenerational effects of icosapent ethyl at 7 times human systemic exposure following 4 g/day dose based on body surface area comparisons across species. In pregnant rabbits given oral gavage doses of 0.1, 0.3, and 1 g/kg/day icosapent ethyl from gestation through organogenesis, a decrease in body weight and food consumption was observed at the high dose of 1 g/kg/day (5 times the human exposure at the maximum dose of 4 g/day, based on body surface area comparisons). Slight increases in resorbed and dead fetuses were noted in the 1 g/kg/day group, but these were not significantly different from the control group. There were no differences between the icosapent ethyl groups and control group as to the number of corpora lutea, number of implantations, number of surviving fetuses, sex ratio, body weight of female fetuses or placental weight. There were no treatment-related malformations or skeletal anomalies. In pregnant rats given icosapent ethyl from gestation day 17 through lactation day 20 at 0.3, 1, 3 g/kg/day no adverse maternal or developmental effects were observed. However, complete litter loss (not dose-related) was noted in 2/23 litters at the low dose and 1/23 mid-dose dams by post-natal day 4 at human exposures at a maximum dose of 4 g/day, based on body surface area comparisons. 8.2 Lactation Risk Summary Published studies have detected omega-3 fatty acids, including EPA, in human milk. Lactating women receiving oral omega-3 fatty acids for supplementation have resulted in higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids in human milk. There are no data on the …
Mechanism of Action
openFDA Drug Labeling12.1 Mechanism of Action Studies suggest that EPA reduces hepatic very low-density lipoprotein triglycerides (VLDL-TG) synthesis and/or secretion and enhances TG clearance from circulating VLDL particles. Potential mechanisms of action include increased β-oxidation; inhibition of acyl-CoA: 1,2-diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT); decreased lipogenesis in the liver; and increased plasma lipoprotein lipase activity.
Description
openFDA Drug Labeling11 DESCRIPTION Icosapent ethyl, a lipid-regulating agent, is supplied as a either a 0.5 gram or a 1 gram, clear natural, liquid-filled soft gelatin capsule for oral administration. Each icosapent ethyl capsule contains either 0.5 grams of icosapent ethyl (in a 0.5 gram capsule) or 1 gram of icosapent ethyl (in a 1 gram capsule). Icosapent ethyl is an ethyl ester of the omega-3 fatty acid eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). The empirical formula of icosapent ethyl is C 22 H 34 O 2 and the molecular weight is 330.51. The chemical name for icosapent ethyl is ethyl all-cis-5,8,11,14,17-icosapentaenoate with the following chemical structure: Icosapent ethyl capsules contain the following inactive ingredients: gelatin, glycerin, light mineral oil, isopropyl alcohol, nitrogen, purified water, sorbitol sorbitan solution (mannitol, sorbitol, 1,4-sorbitan and water), and white ink. The compositions of white ink are isopropyl alcohol, n-butyl alcohol, propylene glycol, shellac and titanium dioxide. structure-formula.jpg
How Supplied / Storage and Handling
openFDA Drug Labeling16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING Icosapent ethyl capsules are supplied as: 500 milligram - Oval, transparent, soft-gelatin capsules filled with yellow oil. Imprint in black ink TV over 0126. Available in bottles of 240 (NDC 0480-0126-49). 1 gram - Oblong, transparent, soft-gelatin capsules filled with yellow oil. Imprint in black ink TEVA over 127. Available in bottles of 120 (NDC 0480-0127-89). Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Dispense in a tight container as defined in the USP, with a child-resistant closure (as required). KEEP THIS AND ALL MEDICATIONS OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN.
Adverse event reports
Source: openFDA FAERSAttributed to this product's most-reported active ingredient: ICOSAPENT ETHYL. Combination products with more than six active ingredients are not attributed, because a report count summed across a long ingredient list measures the list, not the medicine.
Packaging and NDCs
Source: NDC Directory| Package NDC | Product NDC | Labeler | Description | Marketing start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 71335-3148-1 | 71335-3148 | Bryant Ranch Prepack | 30 CAPSULE, LIQUID FILLED in 1 BOTTLE (71335-3148-1) | June 18, 2026 |
| 71335-3148-2 | 71335-3148 | Bryant Ranch Prepack | 60 CAPSULE, LIQUID FILLED in 1 BOTTLE (71335-3148-2) | June 18, 2026 |
| 71335-3148-3 | 71335-3148 | Bryant Ranch Prepack | 120 CAPSULE, LIQUID FILLED in 1 BOTTLE (71335-3148-3) | June 18, 2026 |
| 71335-3148-4 | 71335-3148 | Bryant Ranch Prepack | 90 CAPSULE, LIQUID FILLED in 1 BOTTLE (71335-3148-4) | June 18, 2026 |
| 42806-559-24 | 42806-559 | EPIC PHARMA, LLC | 240 CAPSULE, LIQUID FILLED in 1 BOTTLE (42806-559-24) | December 22, 2023 |
| 42806-560-12 | 42806-560 | EPIC PHARMA, LLC | 120 CAPSULE, LIQUID FILLED in 1 BOTTLE (42806-560-12) | December 22, 2023 |
| 42806-576-12 | 42806-576 | EPIC PHARMA, LLC | 120 CAPSULE, LIQUID FILLED in 1 BOTTLE (42806-576-12) | May 27, 2026 |
| 10888-8263-1 | 10888-8263 | Patheon Softgels Inc. | 5500 CAPSULE, LIQUID FILLED in 1 BOX (10888-8263-1) | April 24, 2024 |
| 0480-0126-49 | 0480-0126 | Teva Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | 240 CAPSULE, LIQUID FILLED in 1 BOTTLE (0480-0126-49) | September 9, 2022 |
| 0480-0127-89 | 0480-0127 | Teva Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | 120 CAPSULE, LIQUID FILLED in 1 BOTTLE (0480-0127-89) | December 15, 2022 |
| 13668-761-12 | 13668-761 | Torrent Pharmaceuticals Limited | 120 g in 1 BOTTLE (13668-761-12) | April 22, 2026 |
| 71335-3148 | 71335-3148 | Bryant Ranch Prepack | — | December 22, 2023 |
| 42806-559 | 42806-559 | EPIC PHARMA, LLC | — | December 22, 2023 |
| 42806-560 | 42806-560 | EPIC PHARMA, LLC | — | December 22, 2023 |
| 42806-576 | 42806-576 | EPIC PHARMA, LLC | — | December 22, 2023 |
| 10888-8263 | 10888-8263 | Patheon Softgels Inc. | — | April 24, 2024 |
| 0480-0126 | 0480-0126 | Teva Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | — | September 9, 2022 |
| 0480-0127 | 0480-0127 | Teva Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | — | December 15, 2022 |
| 13668-761 | 13668-761 | Torrent Pharmaceuticals Limited | — | April 22, 2026 |
Sources for this page
| Dataset | Agency | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| NDC Directory | FDA | Identity, ingredients, strengths, forms, routes, labelers, packages |
| Drugs@FDA | FDA | Application, sponsor, submissions, review documents, marketing status |
| Orange Book | FDA | Therapeutic equivalence codes, reference drug flags, patents, exclusivity |
| Drug Labeling | FDA / NLM | Prescribing information reproduced above |
| FAERS | FDA | Adverse event report counts |
Generated September 25, 2026 · 11 sections on this page.