Thursday’s Daily Piece: Icosapent ethyl (Vascepa): Unique Medication in Heart Health Toolkit

When it comes to a healthy heart, our cholesterol (lipid) numbers matter in a major way. FDA’s recent approval of icosapent ethyl as adjunctive therapy to lower risk for heart (cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes) in adults with elevated triglyceride levels (150 mg/dL or higher) and established heart (cardiovascular) disease or diabetes with 2 or more risk factors for heart disease (i.e. body mass index of 25% or greater, high blood pressure, physical inactivity, family history).

So why is this a big deal? This is the first FDA approved drug to reduce cardiovascular risk among adults with elevated triglyceride level as add on to maximally tolerated statin medication. Now we have another medication in our tool kit for reducing risk for cardiovascular event.

https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-use-drug-reduce-risk-cardiovascular-events-certain-adult-patient-groups

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