Fish Oil Side Effects

Though it comes form natural sources, there are fish oil side effects that you'll still need to be aware if you're going to be taking this supplement. We all know that "all natural" doesn't necessarily imply that nothing bad or untoward can happen... right...?

Think Poison Ivy ...it's "all natural" after all but we know that it can have some not so good effects on the skin when you come in contact with it. Well, it's the same thing even with nutritional supplements that have beneficial effects. You don't even necessarily need to ingest too much of it to experience some of the side effects of fish oil. Fortunately, in most cases, the benefits outweigh the risks.

The side effects of fish oil listed below are from data collected during clinical trials conducted for the two currently FDA-approved prescription fish oil products - Lovaza and Omacor - since these are the only two that have reportable clinical trial data that has been accepted by the FDA.

Fish Oil Side Effects - Common

• Angina pectoris
• Back pain
• Dyspepsia - indigestion
• Eructation - belching
• Flu syndrome
• General pain
• Infection
• Rash
• Taste perversion

Fish Oil Side Effects - Rare

• Alopecia - hair loss
• Anorexia - loss of appetite
• Arrhythmia - abnormal heat rhythm
• Arthralgia - joint pain
• Arthritis
• Asthenia - general weakness/muscle weakness with lack of strength and energy
• Asthma
• Body odor
• Bronchitis
• Cardiac arrest
• Cardiovascular occlusion
• Cataract
• Central nervous system neoplasia
• Cervix disorder
• Chest pain
• Chills
• Colitis - inflammation of the colon
• Constipation
• Depression
• Dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Dysphagia - difficulty swallowing
• Dyspnea - difficulty/painful breathing
• Eczema
• Edema - fluid retention
• Emotional lability
• Endometrial carcinoma
• Enlarged abdomen
• Epididymitis - inflammation of the epididymis i.e. a testicular tube
• Epistaxis - nose bleeds
• Facial paralysis
• Fecal incontinence
• Fever
• Fungal infection
• Gastritis - inflammation of the stomach lining
• Gastroenteritis - inflammation of the stomach and the intestines
• Gastrointestinal disorders
• Generalized edema
• Hyperglycemia - high blood sugar levels
• Hyperlipemia - high or excess levels of lipids in the blood
• Hypertension - high blood pressure
• Impotence
• Increased ALT - a type of liver enzyme
• Increased appetite
• Increased AST - a type of liver enzyme
• Increased cough
• Insomnia
• Intestinal obstruction
• Laryngitis - inflammation of the larynx
• Lymphadenopathy
• Malaise - general feeling of not being well
• Melena - blood in the stool which results in dark-colored stools
• Migraine
• Myalgia - muscle pain
• Myocardial infarction
• Myocardial ischemia
• Neck pain
• Neoplasm
• Pancreatitis
• Pathological fracture
• Peripheral vascular disorder
• Pharyngitis - sore throat
• Pneumonia
• Pruritus - itching
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Rhinitis - runny nose
• Sinusitis - sinus infection/inflammation
• Sudden death
• Suicide
• Sweating
• Syncope - fainting
• Tachycardia - rapid heart beat
• Tendon disorder
• Tenesmus - urgent need or desire to have a bowel movement
• Vasodilatation
• Vertigo
• Viral infection
• Vomiting

Post-Marketing Fish Oil Side Effects (Lovaza)

The following fish oil side effects were reported AFTER Lovaza was approved and being used by the general population. You should note though that they were reported voluntarily by folks in the general population so there is therefore no way to determine how often they occur or if there is even really a true connection between them and Lovaza.

• Anaphylactic reaction
• Hemorrhagic diathesis

All that is really necessary for survival of the fittest, it seems,
is an interest in life, good, bad or peculiar.
- Grace Paley

Drug Manufacturer Information

Glaxo SmithKline (Lovaza)
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
1-888-825-5249

Reliant Pharmaceuticals (Omacor)
110 Allen Rd
Liberty Corner, NJ 07938
(908) 580-1200

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February 14th, 2010