Lovaza

Lovaza is manufactured and marketed by GlaxoSmithKline and is prescribed to treat high levels of triglycerides. The drug is currently the only FDA-approved prescription medication based on fish oils and is primarily used in cases of triglycerides levels of over 500 mg/dL. It is considered an alternative to statin and niacin drugs designed to treat high cholesterol.

Lovaza Availability Online

Many online pharmacies do carry Lovaza, which can be purchased with a valid medical prescription. Patients who plan on purchasing their Lovaza medication online are advised to use an online pharmacist that has been approved by NACP’s VIPPS service or LegitScript. Both of these services monitor thousands of online pharmacies and approve pharmacists who abide by federal and state regulations on the purchase and dispensing of medication.

From an online pharmacy approved by VIPPS or LegitScript, expect a 100 capsule package of Lovaza to be priced at about $150 to $170. Check to see if your prescription drug plan covers the expenses of purchasing Lovaza online before placing an order. Online purchases can only be processed after you have submitted a copy of your valid prescription through fax or e-mail.

No Generic Lovaza Available

Because GlaxoSmithKline has the exclusive manufacturing rights to Lovaza until September 2012, there is no generic form of Lovaza available. However, since Lovaza is based on fish oils, many patients consider purchasing fish oil dietary supplements as a viable alternative.

Dietary supplements are not subject to the same strict regulations as an FDA-approved drug. There is no guarantee that a specific fish oil supplement has been tested for effectiveness and contains the exact concentration of ingredients advertised on the package label. Cheap fish oil supplements and any drug advertised as a generic Lovaza should be avoided all together. Stick to high quality fish oil supplements that offer high amounts of EPA and DHA – the two active ingredients that help lower triglycerides levels.

Taking Lovaza

Lovaza is only made available in 1-gram capsules, containing 465 mg of EPA and 375 mg of DHA. Patients are recommended to take four capsules per day unless instructed otherwise by their doctor. Lovaza may be prescribed as a stand-alone form of treatment or as a supplement to lifestyle adjustments designed to lower cholesterol levels. Treatment may include additional cholesterol-related drugs, diet adjustments or increased physical activity and must be adhered to in order to effectively lower your triglycerides back to healthy levels.