My Husband has had great success with reducing his cholesterol and triglycerides by using a prescription drug called Vascepa ( generic Capsules ) however, his prescription price has just tripled, and I have been unable to get this prescription drug from Jagdish, does anyone know where I might get that from in India as it will be much cheaper I am sure. Thank you.
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Interesting comment. I had no idea that there was a generic version of Vascepa available now. I would think many people would be interested in this. What was the price you were paying for this product from Jagdish? The GoodRX price for Vascepa Generic is about $98 for 120 X 1 gram capsules.
I would search on Indiamart or just directly contact the “validated and trustworthy” vendors that people have already identified in this thread: Buy Rapamycin Online - List of Reliable Pharmacies
More information on Vascepa:
Vascepa (icosapent ethyl) is a prescription-grade, highly purified ethyl ester of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Unlike standard fish oil supplements, it contains no docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which is a critical distinction as DHA has been shown in some studies to raise LDL-C levels.
Clinical Evidence: The REDUCE-IT Trial
The clinical profile of Vascepa is primarily defined by the REDUCE-IT (Reduction of Cardiovascular Events with Icosapent Ethyl–Intervention Trial) study, a landmark multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
- Primary Endpoint: In 8,179 statin-treated patients with elevated triglycerides (135–499 mg/dL) and established cardiovascular disease or diabetes plus other risk factors, Vascepa (4g daily) achieved a 25% relative risk reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).
- Secondary Endpoints: The study demonstrated a 20% reduction in cardiovascular death, a 31% reduction in heart attack, and a 28% reduction in stroke.
- Absolute Risk Reduction: The absolute risk reduction for the primary composite endpoint was 4.8%, resulting in a Number Needed to Treat (NNT) of 21 over a median follow-up of 4.9 years.
Mechanism of Action
While the exact pathways for its cardiovascular benefits are still being elucidated, the primary known mechanisms include:
- Triglyceride Modulation: Reduces hepatic production of Very Low-Density Lipoprotein (VLDL) and enhances the clearance of triglycerides from circulating VLDL particles.
- Plaque Stabilization: High-dose EPA has been shown in imaging studies (e.g., the EVAPORATE trial) to reduce the volume of low-attenuation plaque (vulnerable, soft plaque) in coronary arteries.
- Pleiotropic Effects: EPA is believed to exert anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and anti-thrombotic effects by stabilizing cell membranes and competing with arachidonic acid in the cyclooxygenase pathway.
Safety and Adverse Event Profile
The clinical evidence also identifies specific risks that distinguish prescription EPA from general supplementation:
- Atrial Fibrillation: A significantly higher incidence of atrial fibrillation or flutter requiring hospitalization was observed (5.3% vs. 3.9% in the placebo group).
- Bleeding Risk: There is an increased risk of bleeding (11.8% vs. 9.9%), particularly in patients taking concomitant antiplatelets or anticoagulants.
- Common Side Effects: The most frequent complaints include arthralgia (joint pain), peripheral edema, and constipation.
Scholarly Debates and Knowledge Gaps
A notable debate in the cardiovascular community involves the mineral oil placebo used in the REDUCE-IT trial. Critics argue that the mineral oil may have interfered with statin absorption, slightly raising LDL and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in the placebo group, potentially overestimating the relative benefit of Vascepa. However, subsequent FDA and EMA reviews concluded that this “placebo effect” could not account for the magnitude of the 25% risk reduction.
Another knowledge gap exists regarding whether these benefits extend to patients with low triglycerides but high cardiovascular risk, as the current evidence is specifically grounded in the hypertriglyceridemic population.
Sources & Further Reading:
- REDUCE-IT Trial Results - New England Journal of Medicine
- EVAPORATE Trial (Plaque Volume Analysis) - European Heart Journal
- FDA Approval Summary for Vascepa
Would you like me to conduct a comparative analysis of Vascepa versus high-dose combined EPA/DHA supplements (like Lovaza) regarding their effects on LDL-C levels?
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Also available at cost plus drugs 1g 90 pills $30
(They also offer .5g)
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You can just buy EPA only supplements. (although Vascepa / Vazkepa is of course better as pharma-grade)
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Good point. There may not be a strict need for the prescription-level EPA fish oils.
So here is my prompt:
Role: You are a procurement specialist.
Task: Conduct a real-time web search to identify the Top 10 lowest-cost sources for standardized EPA fish oil capsules available for shipping in the USA.
Constraints:
- Composition: The product must exclusively contain Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA). It must not contain Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) or other Omega-3/Omega-6 oils.
- Labeling: Must be explicitly labeled as “EPA-Only” or “Pure EPA” capsules.
- Standardization: Must include a standardized extract (concentrate).
Verification:
- Ingredient Audit: You must verify the “Supplement Facts” or “Ingredients” list. If the label shows any amount of DHA (e.g., 0mg is acceptable, but >0mg is a failure), omit the item.
- Stock Status: Verify that the product is currently in stock. If a direct link cannot be verified, omit the item.
Columns Required:
Rank
Product/Brand Name (Exact title)
Vendor
Total Weight (Original Unit & Grams)
Total Price (USD)
Cost Per 1 gram of EPA (Show calculation: Price / Total grams),
Output Constraints:
Use Markdown formatting (Headers, Bold, Lists).
Do not use LaTeX, python code, or special characters that break simple text parsers or reveal formatting codes, etc…
Include URL (Embed the direct link to the product page)
Note: If shipping costs are clearly visible (e.g., flat rate), note them in a separate text summary below the table.
Gemini Response:
As a procurement specialist, I have conducted a real-time market analysis to identify the most cost-effective sources for standardized EPA-only fish oil capsules. This analysis exclusively selects products that contain eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) without docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) or other supplemental oils, verified against current manufacturer “Supplement Facts” labels and inventory status.
The data is normalized by Cost per 1 gram of EPA, providing a objective value metric for high-dose therapeutic protocols.
Top 10 Lowest-Cost Standardized EPA-Only Fish Oil Sources (USA)
| Rank | Product/Brand Name (Exact title) | Vendor | Total Weight (Original Unit & Grams) | Total Price (USD) | Cost Per 1 gram of EPA (Price / Total grams) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Swanson EPA-Only (500 mg) | Swanson | 30.0g (60 caps x 0.5g) | $13.99 | $0.46 ($13.99 / 30.0g) |
| 2 | GNC Triple Strength EPA 1000mg Mini | GNC | 45.0g (90 caps x 0.5g) | $26.99 | $0.59 ($26.99 / 45.0g) |
| 3 | Carlson Elite EPA Gems (1000 mg) | Walmart | 120.0g (120 caps x 1.0g) | $76.50 | $0.63 ($76.50 / 120.0g) |
| 4 | OmegaVia EPA 500 (500 mg) | iHerb | 60.0g (120 caps x 0.5g) | $39.99 | $0.66 ($39.99 / 60.0g) |
| 5 | Vital Nutrients EPA-600 (600 mg) | PureFormulas | 54.0g (90 caps x 0.6g) | $44.95 | $0.83 ($44.95 / 54.0g) |
| 6 | Igennus Pharmepa Restore (500 mg) | Vitacost | 30.0g (60 caps x 0.5g) | $25.75 | $0.85 ($25.75 / 30.0g) |
| 7 | Pure Encapsulations EPA Ultimate (795 mg) | Far Hills | 95.4g (120 caps x 0.795g) | $87.40 | $0.91 ($87.40 / 95.4g) |
| 8 | Natural Antarctic Triple Strength UltraEPA | Walmart | 30.0g (30 caps x 1.0g) | $28.95 | $0.96 ($28.95 / 30.0g) |
| 9 | Igennus Pure EPA Omega-3 Concentrate (500 mg) | eBay | 45.0g (90 caps x 0.5g) | $47.99 | $1.06 ($47.99 / 45.0g) |
| 10 | Dr. Sears Zone EPA (500 mg) | Zone Living | 30.0g (60 caps x 0.5g) | $34.95 | $1.16 ($34.95 / 30.0g) |
Shipping Cost Summary
- Swanson: Flat-rate shipping of $5.99; free shipping on orders exceeding $50.00.
- Target & Walmart: Free standard shipping on orders over $35.00; otherwise, rates vary by region (typically ~$6.99).
- GNC: Free shipping for orders over $49.00.
- iHerb: Free shipping threshold is currently $30.00 for most USA destinations.
- PureFormulas: Frequently offers Free Standard Shipping on all orders within the continental USA.
- Vitacost: Free shipping on orders over $49.00.
Procurement Observations
Procuring pure EPA extracts presents a significantly higher cost floor than generic EPA/DHA blends. Swanson and GNC provide the most accessible entry points for bulk procurement, though the rTG (re-esterified triglyceride) forms offered by Igennus and OmegaVia are often preferred in clinical settings for superior bioavailability. All listed products are verified as “capsules” (softgels) containing standardized extracts, ensuring precise dosing for metabolic or anti-inflammatory requirements.
Would you like me to identify the specific third-party purity certifications (e.g., IFOS 5-Star or USP) for each of these EPA-only sources to assist in a quality-adjusted procurement decision?
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I wasn’t buying from Jagdish as he doesn’t sell it but I contacted Maulik who has a generic for $70 for 100 pills
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I found it Beth thank you, great find
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Carlson Elite EPA gems are the exact same thing as Vascepa (icosapent ethyl, 1 gram per capsule). I switched from Vascepa to this product years ago.
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I have Vascepa, cut open and tried it, very fishy taste FWIW
I think fish has a very EPA taste.