Get Informed: Omega
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:
- 2010-Mar-15 5:56 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Mar-14 9:02 PM
Other Names
- Fish Oil
- Omega 3
- Omega 3 Fish Oil
- Omega 3-6-9
- Omega
- 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
- 15 Mar 2010
- Est US Patients*
- 6,827,000
- 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 or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Recent alerts for Omega
There have been no iGuard.org alerts regarding Omega during the past year.
Omega Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
- Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Omega interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.
What is Omega used for?
iGuard is currently tracking more than 45,300 patients that use Omega (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 |
|---|---|---|
| Heart Disease/Stroke Prevention | 51% | 
|
| High Cholesterol | 46% |
|
| Dietary Supplement | 39% | 
|
| High Triglycerides | 20% |
|
| Skin Health | 11% |
|
| Menopausal Symptoms | 5% |
|
| Rheumatoid Arthritis | 3% |
|
| Memory Problems/Dementia | 2% | 
|
| Dry Eyes | 2% |
|
| Other | 5% |
|
How well does Omega work?
iGuard regularly polls our more than 45,300 users taking Omega (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)
- 89%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Omega outweigh the bad things.
- 7%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Omega.
Common Side Effects of Omega
iGuard regularly polls our more than 45,300 users taking Omega (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.
11% of patients experience side-effects on Omega
< 1% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Omega
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Bad Breath
-
Abdo Pain/Cramps
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Altered Taste/Smell, Bloating/Gas, Diarrhea, Heartburn/Reflux, Itch/Rash
Global Patient Feedback for Omega (Omega 3) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I take Fish Oil regularly but am very confushed as to the proper dosage - does age or other medical conditions enter into that. I am 83 in good health and take 1200 twice a day. How does that sound and is it enough?
84 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-02-13 12:16:05
iGuard Answer/Reply:
For your age, the maximum amount of over the counter omega 3 per day is 3 grams, or 3000 mg. If the dose you are taking is 1200 mg twice daily, then you are fine, because each dose is 1.2 grams, for a total of 2.4 grams daily. Check that your dose is in mg (milligrams). As with any medication or supplement, you need to make sure your physician is aware that you are taking the fish oil and that it is on your list of current medications.
Posted: 2010-02-21 14:18:09
Question/Comment:
I can only take medications in the form of a chewable or liquid. Is there an option for me regarding Fish Oil? Obviously I would not elect a chewable for this medication.
47 year old – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-01-25 09:37:22
iGuard Answer/Reply:
There is a liquid fish oil, one in particular is called Eskimo Kids Liquid. Nature's Answer also makes a liquid fish oil. You may need to ask your pharmacist to order it for you. They should have a master list to check to see what brand they can order for you.
Posted: 2010-01-29 11:37:48
Answer/Reply:
There is also Carlson's Very Finest Fish oil that you can purchases at online stores including Carlson's own website.My husband and I have both had great results with this liquid fish oil.They are a reputable company and offer many products.
finest
54 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-02-23 15:00:55
Question/Comment:
i like the vitafusion brand. it doesn't have a fishy smell and it also taste good.
25 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
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 – Source: iGuard United States
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 – Source: iGuard United States
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 – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-08-24 11:18:15
You may post comments for the benefit of other patients or post questions other patients might be able to answer. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Only your age and gender will be published with your comment, although your other user details will be securely recorded for verification purposes.
Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
198
Patient Comments about
Omega