Lovaza:Something Fishy

Anyone taking Lovaza? The doc gave me a sample of it since I chose not to take statins.

I did some research (surprise!) on the internet and found that it is nothing but very expensive prescription fish oil. The price is about $1.00/capsule and they prescribe 4 a day. So 4x365 days/yr is $1460/yr FOR FISH OIL!

I also found a forum for pharma reps to share thoughts and found that Reliant had custom made the capsules for a research project where they needed documented dosage. Then they realized they had a money maker so put it on the market. The reps love it because they work on commission and it is easy to get the docs to prescribe it. It is a money maker for them to. The doc wants me to take it for 2 months and come back for a followup.

I'm planning on writting him a letter about it and let him know that if I want fish oil (which I don't) I can get it at Costco for about a tenth the cost.

Frank

6 Comments

My father does..

by turboz24 - 2009-01-02 10:01:23

He takes some sort of perscription "omega 3" pill. It claims to be more potent that over the counter pills, but the ones I take from Sam's club are almost the same dosage.

I'm not sure how accurate either claims are, but yes I understand they are really expensive.

something fishy

by pete - 2009-01-03 02:01:37

Quite frankly I shocked at the way fish oil which I take in the form of two teaspoons of cod liver oil per day is doctored so that you pay a lot more for it. Try breaking a few capsules and taste the awful taste of the low grade oil in the capsule. All this additive nonsense is unecessary. Ordinary cod liver oil is good for the heart , helps prevent blood clots, prevents the onset of arthritis and generally improves your health and condition. Peter

Something certainly is fishy... In a good way!

by pacergirl - 2009-01-03 09:01:29

Hi, I asked my dr. about how to prevent open heart surgery for the condition I have with my mitral valve prolaspe... he suggested "omega 3" pill everyday. Seems it might do the trick. He also has me taking zinc, a multivitamin, and some vitamin C. A lot of Vitamin C.
My heart is still strong at this stage, but the mitral valve seems to be deteriorating.... not very fast but steadily over the last few years. Nothing to concern myself about now... perhaps in the future. I will try to stay on the fish oil and the vitamins and see how my check up goes next time. I will do just about anything to avoid open heart surgery!
Pacergirl.

arthritis

by jessie - 2009-01-03 10:01:14

hi i wonder if it helps with the joints the fish oil. i am sure it might like a lubricant for a car . keep the joints lubricated? i have a bad arthritis osteo and i am now having to think about possible surgery again. i will ask my doc. i take lipitor with norvasc,ramipril,hydrodiuril,cipralex and singular plus my two inhalors advair and i forget the other one. i have some high b.p. but it is well controlled. i try to eat properly and do not smoke or drink at all. so i was wondering about that. will ask the pharmacist. jessiep.s i like that susan something is fishylol

Red Yeast Rice

by auntiesamm - 2009-01-04 04:01:39

Hi Frank & all my dear friends! I don't check in very often as I am doing very well and most days don't even think about my PM. I find the discussion about expensive, prescription fish oil believable. The pharmaceutical companies are some of the biggest thieves in this country! That said I will tell you what my PCP has me taking. Red Yeast Rice is a natural statin and I have been taking it for a little over a year. I was trying to eliminate as many prescribed drugs as possible so she made this change. It must work well as my last cholesterol was 137, LDL and HDH well within normal range. I was so unconvinced I had it repeated. I had eated the morning before having blood drawn but chol was only 153. My physician told me that less than 3% of patients in her practice have a cholesterol in this range. Triglycerides, etc all WNL. In 2006 my chol. was 210. I have increased my exercise, too, by walking a mile+ a day. I wait for supplements to be on sale BYGO free at my local CVS or RiteAid. Same with Omega 3. I just keep pacing along and enjoy life to its' fullest everyday! Best to you, Frank, and all the other members. Good bless you all!

Sharon

No more satins

by Papaguy - 2009-01-08 04:01:47

My cardiologist replaced my "Zocor 40mg/day" for "Omega 3 Highly distilled (Pharmacitical grade)" that I buy from Costco for Approx. 30$ for 240 pills. I take 2 /day to get the equivalent of at least 1000mg/day. I have been on this prescription for 3 years and my cholesterol has always been good.

You know you're wired when...

You can finally prove that you have a heart.

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