Prescription fish oil? You have got to be kidding me!

[MikeyBSN]

I thought this was a joke or some rouge gimmick company in an infomercial, but I just googled this and learned it's a real "drug" made by GlaskoSmithKline. This is "purified" fish oil that GSK claims lowers "very high cholesterol". I have fish oil in my refrigerator. This is what our drug companies are spending money on? We wonder why health care is in such shambles? We haven't found a cure for HIV in over 30 years but don't worry folks, we've created some nice purified fish oil for you!

[cherrybreeze, ADN, RN]

The ONLY issue why it's made BY prescription now is, because there's more money to be made on it. That's the only reason why it's made BY prescription.

OP sounded like it's a new thing. Then, another person said, that she's seen it as a prescription.

Like I said, it's nothing new. So, is it any wonder why a drug company would capitalize more on it?

No, people taking fish oil is nothing new. That's been established. The fact that it's prescribed, so that a drug company can capitalize even further, is ridicuous, though, I think that was the purpose of the OP. Drug companies make enough money off of insanely priced pharmaceuticals. Everyone understands why, it's just a statement made that it's...insane. That's all.

[kfarinato]

if its in its prescribed form does the fda monitor the sources? there was a report about only using high quality supplements, along with the reminder that the fda does not oversee "herbals"

[nursej22, MSN, RN]

Another advantage to having prescription fish oil is that it may be covered by insurance and Medicare D, and you can use funds from medical spending accounts to help pay for it. I'm not saying I am in favor of this, but it could be the difference for some whether they can afford it or not.

[whichone'spink, BSN, RN]

if its in its prescribed form does the fda monitor the sources?

Hmmm, good point.

[morte, LPN, LVN]

MONEY

pure and simple.....it is concentrated, therefore requiring fewer caps per day......and ins will cover the insane cost, thereby costing all of us money. Instead of just going to Walgreens or where ever. i had read cost comparisons, it is some horrendously extravegant price difference.....i cant remember how much....and has been awhile......

[Lacie, BSN, RN]

For those of us that are unable to take statins this may be beneficial also. I cant take statins as end up so debilitated with muscle pain as a result. They have me on Niacin SR 500mg daily which is also by prescription. I take OTC fish oil, I control my diet and am far from being overweight and eat fish 3 x's a week. I eat no red meat, chicken or pork. Always have been athletic. My issue turned out more genetics then dietary, etc. I never heard of Rx fish oil until seeing this commercial the other day. Personally, if it works, insurance would cover and can use my medical savings account? I'm game.

[Moogie]

I've taken fish oil for about a year now, and it not only lowered my triglycerides by over 250 points, it's helped my arthritis as well. And yes, I do eat fish whenever I can, but the rest of my family is not as enthusiastic about it as I am so my consumption is rather irregular. Unfortunately, fish is also expensive, while chicken and turkey can be found for less than a dollar per pound on sale. So I take my enteric-coated fish oil capsule at bedtime (avoids the fishy burps) and know I've done something positive for my health.

Where do you find enteric-coated fish oil capsules? I've just started taking fish oil for a chronic pain condition but I cannot stand the fishy burps or the upset stomach I seem to get when I take them.

I understand why some posters are a bit cynical about a prescription version of an OTC medication, but, in the case of so many dietary supplements, we can't always be certain of the purity of the ingredients or even the amount of active ingredients in each dosage. When purity and dosage cannot be standardized, consumer safety may be at risk.

I live in an area in which fresh fish is not readily available and, and, when I can find it, it's often too expensive to purchase. So, although I would rather eat fish than take fish oil capsules (ick---they are NASTY!) I can't do it.

BTW, regarding pharmaceutical research, although there is no cure or vaccination for HIV, there has been progress made in developing drugs that can slow the progression of the infection and extend the quality and quantity of life. Thirty years ago, a diagnosis of AIDS was a death sentence. While current medications are very costly and not always effective due to viral mutation, progress has been made.

[Crux1024]

Another advantage to having prescription fish oil is that it may be covered by insurance and Medicare D, and you can use funds from medical spending accounts to help pay for it. I'm not saying I am in favor of this, but it could be the difference for some whether they can afford it or not.

Exactly. Not everyone has the funds to pay out of pocket, even for something as inexpensive as fish oil caps.

Also...I hear fishy burps are rather....unpleasant....

[netglow, ASN, RN]

I use NatureMade Fish oil. The label reads: liquid softgel odorless Fish Oil... controls fish burps.

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

Exactly. Not everyone has the funds to pay out of pocket, even for something as inexpensive as fish oil caps.

Also...I hear fishy burps are rather....unpleasant....

Oh, yes they are.

In fact, before I found the enteric-coated (and more expensive) capsules at Costco, I'd stopped taking fish oil because the burps were so gnarly........and my cats couldn't resist getting in my face! My doctor was the one who told me about the enteric-coated kind; I hesitated to buy an entire huge bottle, but of course that's all they have at Costco so I paid something like $15 for 180 of them. Turned out to be one of the best purchases I ever made, because the coating really minimizes the burping and as I said before, they are very effective. I also take them at bedtime instead of in the morning, when I have something on my stomach to mute any, um, side effects. :)

[netglow, ASN, RN]

....and my cats couldn't resist getting in my face!

Too funny!!

[Moogie]

Oh, yes they are.

In fact, before I found the enteric-coated (and more expensive) capsules at Costco, I'd stopped taking fish oil because the burps were so gnarly........and my cats couldn't resist getting in my face! My doctor was the one who told me about the enteric-coated kind; I hesitated to buy an entire huge bottle, but of course that's all they have at Costco so I paid something like $15 for 180 of them. Turned out to be one of the best purchases I ever made, because the coating really minimizes the burping and as I said before, they are very effective. I also take them at bedtime instead of in the morning, when I have something on my stomach to mute any, um, side effects. :)

Thanks, Viva!

I actually get a bit nauseous from fish oil capsules so I will look for the enteric-coated ones.

My cats hang around me, too, when I take fish oil, but, uh, not necessarily around my face. I have weird cats!