Get Informed: Omega 3
Active Ingredient(s)
Omega 3
What does it do?
This product is a nutrional supplement containing omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids are believed to reduce the risk of heart disease and other health problems.
- Last Text Update:
- 2009-Nov-21 2:26 AM
- Last Data Update:
- 2009-Nov-20 6:53 PM
Other Names
- Fish Oil
- Omega 3
- Omega 3 Fish Oil
- Omega 3-6-9
- Omega 3 Fish
- Omega-EFA
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- C
- Black Box Warning:
- No
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 21 Nov 2009
- Est US Patients*
- 6,881,000
- Generic Available
- Yes
- OTC Available
- Yes
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Omega 3 or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Recent alerts for Omega 3
There have been no alerts regarding Omega 3 during the past year.
Omega 3 Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
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What is Omega 3 used for?
iGuard.org is currently tracking more than 40,300 patients that use Omega 3 (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| High Cholesterol | 57% | 
|
| Dietary Supplement | 27% |
|
| Heart Disease Prevention | 15% |
|
| Osteoarthritis | 15% |
|
| Skin Health | 11% |
|
| Memory Problems / Dementia | 5% |
|
| Rheumatoid Arthritis | 2% |
|
| Attention Deficit Disorder | 2% |
|
| Multiple Sclerosis | 2% | 
|
| Dry Eyes | 2% |
|
| Other | 17% |
|
How well does Omega 3 work?
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 40,300 users taking Omega 3 (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 83%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Omega 3 outweigh the bad things.
- 10%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Omega 3.
Common Side Effects of Omega 3
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 40,300 users taking Omega 3 (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
12% of patients experience side-effects on Omega 3
< 1% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Omega 3
Most Common Side Effects...
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Abdominal Pain, Altered Taste/Smell, Bleeding, Diarrhea, Heartburn/Reflux, Heavy Periods, Itch, Nausea
Global Patient Feedback for Omega 3 ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
i like the vitafusion brand. it doesn't have a fishy smell and it also taste good.
25 year old Female
Posted: 2009-10-13 22:06:01
Question/Comment:
Veterans can get most drugs less expensively including fish oil. Cost depends on length of service and any military connected disabilities.
66 year old Male
Posted: 2009-08-28 12:06:13
Answer/Reply:
Look into Lavasa, a prescription fish oil, supposed to be better absorbed and no mercury.
66 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-29 12:57:38
Question/Comment:
I take 21st Century brand Alaska Wild Fish Oil. I buy it at Rite Aid for $14.99 for 90 softgels. I started taking this kind because I wanted to take something enteric coated because of the fish burps people commonly talked about. I tried the Wal-Mart brand first, and they seemed to be okay. But what made me start buying the 21st century brand is that it is the only one I have found that contains salmon. Several things sold me on this product, including the salmon, they are mercury free, free from harmful toxins, from non farm raised fish, moleculary distilled and they have 450mg of DHA per serving, not to mention they are enteric coated (so I do not have ANY fish burps). What better reasons could you have for taking these. I started taking fish oil for several reasons. I have alot of heart problems in my family and I guess I want to try my hardest to prevent them. I have been diagnosed with juvenile periodontal disease so my risk for heart problems is heightened. Also I have heard that it helps with depression, and I actually think that is true, because I used to struggle with mild depression and I am starting to feel much better. It also helps my skin and nails. I have not had any side effects at all. So I will never stop taking fish oil, and I hope that 21st century does not stop making this particular product because it has everything I want in a fish oil. I would strongly advise taking this kind of fish oil. I actually only take 1 of these a day and it says to take 3. If anyone thinks I should take more that that please let me know, I only take 1 because of my age. I just figured maybe that being 29 I don't need to take more than that. But I could be wrong. I am still new at taking this product, (only been about 6 months). So any comments would be great.
30 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-24 11:18:15
Question/Comment:
I take Omega 3 fish oil suppliment. Its helped my skin a lot. My bed
sores are gone. It helped my dry skin. It has improved my eye site.
It helped lower my colesterol. I get mine from Kmart Nature Balance.
I buy the large bottles there're always on sale when I'm buying them.
I take 4000mg a day. Thats the dose my doctor put me on.
59 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-22 09:45:33
Question/Comment:
Hi I'm 36 I know all the benefits from taking fish oil so I began but since I despise any kind of seafood I cannot take the smell and taste. I just started trying the MegaRed Omea-3 Krill oil because there's supposedly no aftertaste or smell. Quite expensive I might add but these are supposed to be much better than regular fish oil. Has anyone given these a whirl? I'd love to hear?? Thanks!
36 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-06 09:06:54
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
There are many forms and combinations of Omega 3/ fish oils on the natural and over the counter markets. If you are satisfied with the current MegaRed-3 Krill and do not seem to be experiencing side effects then you should continue to use it.
Posted: 2009-08-13 15:29:53
Answer/Reply:
Don't know about that particular brand but I was told to take 3 - 1000mg fish oil daily to lower my trigliceride. I found the Enteric Coated fish oil from Sam's Club work great and no, I mean NO fishy taste.
60 year old Male
Posted: 2009-08-15 15:32:38
Answer/Reply:
I haven't tried that brand but I do take the enteric coated fish oil from Sam's Club and there is NO fishy taste or aftertaste
60 year old Male
Posted: 2009-08-15 15:42:44
Answer/Reply:
nature made has oderless fish oil. you could probably try that. i take it too.
25 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-15 23:49:37
Answer/Reply:
To answer your comments: I buy a large bottle regular strenght of Sam's brand called, "Member's mark Fish Oil" this exlarge bottle contains 350 softgels that are
ENTERIC COATED with no fishy aftertaste. Each softgels are 1000mg or 1g and the
wonderful news is they cost LESS THAN $10 per bottle. And I also each fish 1 to 2 times
a week!
I am a 63 year young female!
64 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-16 17:49:26
Answer/Reply:
Not all fish oil (krill) are the same; most importantly is the level of EPA and DHA contained in the oil. Due your homework or visti procaps laboratories for more information.
Good Luck
60 year old Male
Posted: 2009-08-17 13:02:29
Answer/Reply:
I take Krill oil even 'tho I love fish - because the capsules are so small. I watch for 2 for 1 sales. Coupons are also available on their web site. I am an active 84 yr. old female
84 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-17 13:18:03
Answer/Reply:
I haven't tried the krill oil, but my husband couldn't stand the taste of fish oil either. He put the fish oil tablets in the refrigerator, and the taste of the chilled tablets didn't bother him anymore. That might help!
49 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-17 19:29:51
Answer/Reply:
Try Enteric Coated softgels. They cost a little more but they have no fish taste.
47 year old Male
Posted: 2009-08-17 19:38:57
Answer/Reply:
I've been taking fish oil capsules for several years. I take one after each meal and you don't get the fishy taste as you would taking it before or during a meal.
76 year old female
77 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-18 10:02:36
Answer/Reply:
I take Omega-3 Fish Oil which I buy at Wal-Mart in a Twin Pack. It has no fishy aftertaste
58 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-21 23:43:11
Answer/Reply:
I took that too until I realized they contain mercury. At least switch to Sam's brand that says no mercury and I understand there is a prescription fish oil that is better absorbed called Lavasa.
66 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-29 12:56:22
Answer/Reply:
I take Fish Oil made by Nature's Bounty Fish Oil, Orenda All in One Female, Juice Plus and O-tropin. This combination has lowered my blood pressure, enhanced my immune system and given me amino acids to help with aging. I look and feel younger than 58. It is worth a try.
58 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-23 22:02:10
Answer/Reply:
I had been on fish oil for years, (my early 40's) really had no problems with it, but read an article on Krill Oil(Mega Red) and sounded great to me! Several weeks ago I had an appointment with my DR and decided to bring the bottle with me for her opinion on it. When she broke it down it wasn't nearly as powerful as fish oil, I would have had to take 5 or 6 per day of the "Krill Oil". She suggested I try "Eicosamax" ultra-pure fish oil supplement-natural lemon flavor, Marine Fish Oil Concentrate. I will have blood work again in 3 months, anxious to see results.
77 year old female
78 year old Male
Posted: 2009-08-24 14:10:55
Answer/Reply:
I haven't tried these but, if you put Fish oil capsules in the refrigerator you don't get the after taste, it works!!!!!!!!!!
69 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-25 10:47:27
Answer/Reply:
I use both Costco's (Kirkland) and Sams Clubs (Member's Mark) Fish oil capsules. Only once could I taste any trace of fish oil taste in the Costco (the capsules were getting old) and never in Sams Club capsules. Both are also an excellent buy.
73 year old male
74 year old Male
Posted: 2009-08-27 14:24:49
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74
Patient Comments about
Omega 3