Drug Facts
Composition & Profile
Identifiers & Packaging
16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING VASCEPA (icosapent ethyl) capsules are supplied as Strength Quantity Description NDC 0.5 gram capsules Bottles of 240 amber-colored soft-gelatin capsules imprinted with V500 52937-003-40 1 gram capsules Bottles of 120 amber-colored soft-gelatin capsules imprinted with VASCEPA 52937-001-20 1 gram capsules Bottles of 120 amber-colored soft-gelatin capsules imprinted with IPE 52937-005-20 Store at 20° to 25° C (68° to 77°F); excursions permitted to 15° to 30° C (59° to 86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature].; PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL - 240 Capsule Bottle Label NDC 52937-003-40 Vascepa ® (icosapent ethyl) Capsules 0.5 gram 240 capsules Rx only PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL - 240 Capsule Bottle Label; PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL - 120 Capsule Bottle Label NDC 52937-001-20 Vascepa ® (icosapent ethyl) Capsules 1 gram 120 capsules Rx only PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL - 120 Capsule Bottle Label; PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL - 8 Capsule Blister Carton RX only NDC 52937-101-08 SAMPLE ONLY • NOT FOR SALE Vascepa ® (icosapent ethyl) Capsules 1 gram PATIENT SAMPLE PACK Contains 8 Capsules Please see enclosed full Prescribing Information for more information on VASCEPA ® . Keep out of reach of children. PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL - 8 Capsule Blister Carton; PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL - 120 Capsule Bottle Label NDC 52937-005-20 Vascepa ® (icosapent ethyl) Capsules 1 gram 120 capsules Rx only PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL - 120 Capsule Bottle Label
- 16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING VASCEPA (icosapent ethyl) capsules are supplied as Strength Quantity Description NDC 0.5 gram capsules Bottles of 240 amber-colored soft-gelatin capsules imprinted with V500 52937-003-40 1 gram capsules Bottles of 120 amber-colored soft-gelatin capsules imprinted with VASCEPA 52937-001-20 1 gram capsules Bottles of 120 amber-colored soft-gelatin capsules imprinted with IPE 52937-005-20 Store at 20° to 25° C (68° to 77°F); excursions permitted to 15° to 30° C (59° to 86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature].
- PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL - 240 Capsule Bottle Label NDC 52937-003-40 Vascepa ® (icosapent ethyl) Capsules 0.5 gram 240 capsules Rx only PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL - 240 Capsule Bottle Label
- PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL - 120 Capsule Bottle Label NDC 52937-001-20 Vascepa ® (icosapent ethyl) Capsules 1 gram 120 capsules Rx only PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL - 120 Capsule Bottle Label
- PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL - 8 Capsule Blister Carton RX only NDC 52937-101-08 SAMPLE ONLY • NOT FOR SALE Vascepa ® (icosapent ethyl) Capsules 1 gram PATIENT SAMPLE PACK Contains 8 Capsules Please see enclosed full Prescribing Information for more information on VASCEPA ® . Keep out of reach of children. PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL - 8 Capsule Blister Carton
- PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL - 120 Capsule Bottle Label NDC 52937-005-20 Vascepa ® (icosapent ethyl) Capsules 1 gram 120 capsules Rx only PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL - 120 Capsule Bottle Label
Overview
VASCEPA, a lipid-regulating agent, is supplied as either a 0.5 gram or a 1 gram amber-colored, liquid-filled soft gelatin capsule for oral use. Each VASCEPA capsule contains either 0.5 grams of icosapent ethyl (in a 0.5 gram capsule) or 1 gram of icosapent ethyl (in a 1 gram capsule). Icosapent ethyl is an ethyl ester of the omega-3 fatty acid eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). The empirical formula of icosapent ethyl is C 22 H 34 O 2 and the molecular weight is 330.51. The chemical name for icosapent ethyl is ethyl all-cis-5,8,11,14,17-icosapentaenoate with the following chemical structure: VASCEPA capsules also contain the following inactive ingredients: tocopherol, gelatin, glycerin, maltitol, sorbitol, and purified water. Chemical Structure
Indications & Usage
VASCEPA ® (icosapent ethyl) is indicated: as an adjunct to maximally tolerated statin therapy to reduce the risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, coronary revascularization, and unstable angina requiring hospitalization in adult patients with elevated triglyceride (TG) levels (≥ 150 mg/dL) and established cardiovascular disease or diabetes mellitus and 2 or more additional risk factors for cardiovascular disease. as an adjunct to diet to reduce TG levels in adult patients with severe (≥ 500 mg/dL) hypertriglyceridemia. Limitations of Use: The effect of VASCEPA on the risk for pancreatitis in patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia has not been determined. VASCEPA is an ethyl ester of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) indicated: as an adjunct to maximally tolerated statin therapy to reduce the risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, coronary revascularization, and unstable angina requiring hospitalization in adult patients with elevated triglyceride (TG) levels(≥ 150 mg/dL) and established cardiovascular disease or diabetes mellitus and 2 or more additional risk factors for cardiovascular disease. ( 1 ) as an adjunct to diet to reduce TG levels in adult patients with severe (≥ 500 mg/dL) hypertriglyceridemia. ( 1 ) Limitations of Use: The effect of VASCEPA on the risk for pancreatitis in patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia has not been determined. ( 1 )
Dosage & Administration
Assess lipid levels before initiating therapy. Identify other causes of high triglyceride levels and manage as appropriate. ( 2.1 ) Patients should engage in appropriate nutritional intake and physical activity before receiving VASCEPA, which should continue during treatment. ( 2.1 ) The daily dose of VASCEPA is 4 grams per day taken as either four 0.5 gram capsules twice daily with food or two 1 gram capsules twice daily with food. ( 2.2 ) Advise patients to swallow capsules whole. Do not break open, crush, dissolve, or chew VASCEPA. ( 2.2 ) 2.1 Prior to Initiation of VASCEPA Assess lipid levels before initiating therapy. Identify other causes (e.g., diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, or medications) of high triglyceride levels and manage as appropriate. Patients should engage in appropriate nutritional intake and physical activity before receiving VASCEPA, which should continue during treatment with VASCEPA. 2.2 Dosage and Administration The daily dose of VASCEPA is 4 grams per day taken as either: four 0.5 gram capsules twice daily with food; or as two 1 gram capsules twice daily with food. Advise patients to swallow VASCEPA capsules whole. Do not break open, crush, dissolve, or chew VASCEPA.
Warnings & Precautions
Atrial Fibrillation/Flutter: VASCEPA was associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter requiring hospitalization in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The incidence of atrial fibrillation was greater in patients with a previous history of atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter. ( 5.1 ) Potential for Allergic Reactions in Patients with Fish Allergy: VASCEPA contains ethyl esters of the omega-3 fatty acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), obtained from the oil of fish. It is not known whether patients with allergies to fish and/or shellfish are at increased risk of an allergic reaction to VASCEPA. Inform patients with known hypersensitivity to fish and/or shellfish about the potential for allergic reactions and advise them to discontinue VASCEPA and seek medical attention if any reactions occur. ( 5.2 ) Bleeding: VASCEPA was associated with an increased risk of bleeding in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The incidence of bleeding was greater in patients receiving concomitant antithrombotic medications, such as aspirin, clopidogrel, or warfarin. ( 5.3 ) 5.1 Atrial Fibrillation/Flutter VASCEPA is associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter requiring hospitalization. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 8,179 statin-treated subjects with established cardiovascular disease (CVD) or diabetes plus an additional risk factor for CVD, adjudicated atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter requiring hospitalization for 24 or more hours occurred in 127 (3%) patients treated with VASCEPA compared to 84 (2%) patients receiving placebo [HR= 1.5 (95% CI 1.14, 1.98)]. The incidence of atrial fibrillation was greater in patients with a previous history of atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter. 5.2 Potential for Allergic Reactions in Patients with Fish Allergy VASCEPA contains ethyl esters of the omega-3 fatty acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), obtained from the oil of fish. It is not known whether patients with allergies to fish and/or shellfish are at increased risk of an allergic reaction to VASCEPA. Inform patients with known hypersensitivity to fish and/or shellfish about the potential for allergic reactions to VASCEPA and advise them to discontinue VASCEPA and seek medical attention if any reactions occur. 5.3 Bleeding VASCEPA is associated with an increased risk of bleeding. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled cardiovascular outcomes trial of 8,179 patients, 482 (12%) patients receiving VASCEPA experienced a bleeding event compared to 404 (10%) patients receiving placebo. Serious bleeding events occurred in 111 (3%) of patients on VASCEPA vs. 85 (2%) of patients receiving placebo. The incidence of bleeding was greater in patients receiving concomitant antithrombotic medications, such as aspirin, clopidogrel, or warfarin.
Contraindications
VASCEPA is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity (e.g., anaphylactic reaction) to VASCEPA or any of its components. VASCEPA is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity (e.g., anaphylactic reaction) to VASCEPA or any of its components. ( 4 )
Adverse Reactions
The following important adverse reactions are described below and elsewhere in the labeling: Atrial Fibrillation or Atrial Flutter [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Potential for Allergic Reactions in Patients with Fish Allergy [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Bleeding [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] Common adverse reactions in the cardiovascular outcomes trial (incidence ≥3% and ≥1% more frequent than placebo): musculoskeletal pain, peripheral edema, constipation, gout, and atrial fibrillation ( 6.1 ) Common adverse reactions in the hypertriglyceridemia trials (incidence ≥1% more frequent than placebo): arthralgia and oropharyngeal pain. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Amarin Pharma, Inc. at 1-855-VASCEPA (1-855-827-2372) or contact the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Cardiovascular Outcomes Trial In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled cardiovascular outcomes trial, 8,179 statin-stabilized patients were randomized to receive VASCEPA or placebo and followed for a median of 4.9 years [see Clinical Studies ( 14.1 )] . The median age at baseline was 64 years, 29% were women, 90% White, 5% Asian, 2% were Black, and 4% identified as Hispanic ethnicity. Common adverse reactions (incidence ≥3% on VASCEPA and ≥1% more frequent than placebo) included musculoskeletal pain, peripheral edema, constipation, gout, and atrial fibrillation. Hypertriglyceridemia Trials In two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials in patients with triglyceride levels between 200 and 2000 mg/dL treated for 12 weeks, adverse reactions reported with VASCEPA at an incidence ≥1% more frequent than placebo based on pooled data included arthralgia and oropharyngeal pain. 6.2 Postmarketing Experience Additional adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of VASCEPA. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is generally not possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Diarrhea Blood triglycerides increased Abdominal discomfort Pain in the extremities
Drug Interactions
Increased Bleeding Risk with Anticoagulants and Antiplatelet Agents: Some published studies with omega-3 fatty acids have demonstrated prolongation of bleeding time. Monitor patients receiving VASCEPA and concomitant anticoagulants and/or antiplatelet agents for bleeding. ( 7 ) 7.1 Increased Bleeding Risk with Anticoagulants and Antiplatelet Agents Some published studies with omega-3 fatty acids have demonstrated prolongation of bleeding time. The prolongation of bleeding time reported in those studies has not exceeded normal limits and did not produce clinically significant bleeding episodes. Monitor patients receiving VASCEPA and concomitant anticoagulants and/or antiplatelet agents for bleeding.
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