In yet another attempt to raise my good cholesterol, my doctor has prescribed Lovaza, which is a form of Omega-3 fatty acids. I have to take 4 gelcaps a day, either spread out or all at once
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Re: Just like Ms. GarlandrobearalOctober 4 2007, 22:45:21 UTC
Consider: in the morning, I take a multivitamin, glucosamine and 2 prescriptions, all 4 about the size of the multivitamin. In the evening I take another glucosamine plus another 4 prescription pills. That's a handful each dose. I usually have no problem getting them all in one gulp, but sometimes one or more go down sideways. Yuck.
I understand the need for proof of effectiveness, but this is one of the most egregious examples of usurping a dietary supplement I've ever seen. The tissue-thin justifications they offer for using their product as opposed to a good quality OTC Omega-3 product are utterly laughable. (As is a lot of FDA procedure, but I digress....)
What would you consider a good-quality OTC Omega-3? I refuse to do fish oils because burping the fish oil would make me violently ill. It would have to be a highly refined fish oil (as is Lovaza) for me to consider it.
Well - I don't take an Omega-3 supplement, so I can't give you a recommendation. I have to agree with you that fishy-burp would be revolting. (Sounds to me like a perfect indication for enteric coating....)
According to Drugstore.com, Lovaza is over $1/softgel; that's hugely more expensive than the OTC price. I find it unlikely that there's no OTC product with a similar EPA/DHA (eicosapentaenoic acid/docosahexaenoic acid) ratio - that isn't fishy or carrying contaminants - for less money. (Of course, being Rx, if it's covered your copay might well be cheaper than buying OTC, so....)
Flax oil is loaded with Omega-3 - but it's ALA (alpha linolenic acid), not EPA/DHA.
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It's a good thing I don't have trouble swallowing handfuls of pills
...among other horse-sized items, I'm sure...
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According to Drugstore.com, Lovaza is over $1/softgel; that's hugely more expensive than the OTC price. I find it unlikely that there's no OTC product with a similar EPA/DHA (eicosapentaenoic acid/docosahexaenoic acid) ratio - that isn't fishy or carrying contaminants - for less money. (Of course, being Rx, if it's covered your copay might well be cheaper than buying OTC, so....)
Flax oil is loaded with Omega-3 - but it's ALA (alpha linolenic acid), not EPA/DHA.
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