Fish Oil

Fish Oil is used for lowering triglycerides. Can cause a "fishy taste" especially after burping.

Fish Oil Overview

Reviewed: July 16, 2014
Updated: 

Omega-3 fatty acids are found abundantly in fish oil.

Fish oil is used most often used for decreasing triglycerides and lowering the risk of heart disease. 

Fish oil is thought to work by anti-inflammatory effects. 

Common side effects of fish oil supplementation include “fishy taste” after burping or belching and nausea.

Fish Oil Cautionary Labels

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precautions

Uses

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Fish oil is used most often for decreasing triglycerides and lowering the risk of heart disease. 

Fish oil has not been proven effective for all of the uses listed above. Fish oil may be used for other conditions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Side Effects of Fish Oil

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Common side effects of fish oil supplementation include the following:

  • “Fishy taste” after burping or belching  
  • Nausea 

This is not a complete list of fish oil supplementation side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Fish Oil Interactions

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Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs. Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil may enhance the effect of these drugs. 

This is not a complete list of fish oil drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Not all interactions are known or reported and new drug interactions are continually being reported.

Fish Oil Precautions

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Special precautions & warnings:

  • Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using fish oil if you are pregnant, breast-feeding, or trying to become pregnant. 
  • Pregnant women, nursing mothers, and women planning to conceive should avoid those fish high in mercury (shark, king mackerel, swordfish, and tile fish)
  • Fish oil supplementation should be used with caution in individuals allergic to seafood. 
  • Individuals should only take high dose (greater than 3 grams/day) fish supplements under medical supervision.