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Cautions
haemorrhagic disorders,
anticoagulant
treatment (bleeding time increased)
Hepatic impairment
monitor liver function
Pregnancy
manufacturer advises use only if potential
benefit outweighs risk—no information available
Breast-feeding
manufacturer advises avoid—no
information available
Side-effects
gastro-intestinal disturbances;
less com-
monly
taste disturbances,
dizziness,
and hypersensi-
tivity reactions;
rarely
hepatic disorders, headache,
hyperglycaemia,
acne,
and rash;
very rarely
hypo-
tension,
nasal dryness,
urticaria,
and increased white
cell count
Dose
. See under preparation below
Omacor
c
(Abbott Healthcare)
Capsules
,
1 g of omega-3-acid ethyl esters 90 con-
taining eicosapentaenoic acid 460 mg and docosa-
hexaenoic acid 380 mg,
net price 28-cap pack =
£14.24,
100-cap pack = £50.84.
Label:
21
Dose
hypertriglyceridaemia,
initially 2 capsules daily with food,
increased if necessary to 4 capsules daily
Secondary prevention after myocardial infarction, 1 capsule daily
with food
OMEGA-3-MARINE TRIGLYCERIDES
Indications
adjunct in the reduction of plasma tri-
glycerides in severe hypertriglyceridaemia
Cautions
haemorrhagic disorders,
anticoagulant
treatment;
aspirin-sensitive asthma;
type 2 diabetes
Side-effects
occasional nausea and belching
Dose
. See under preparations below
Maxepa
c
(Seven Seas)
Capsules
,
1 g (approx.
1.1 mL) concentrated fish oils
containing eicosapentaenoic acid 170 mg,
docosa-
hexaenoic acid 115 mg.
Vitamin A content less than
100 units/g,
vitamin D content less than 10 units/g,
net price 200-cap pack = £29.28.
Label:
21
Dose
5 capsules twice daily with food
Liquid
,
golden-coloured,
concentrated fish oils con-
taining eicosapentaenoic acid 170 mg,
docosahexae-
noic acid 115 mg/g (1.1 mL).
Vitamin A content less
than 100 units/g,
vitamin D content less than
10 units/g,
net price 150 mL = £21.59.
Label:
21
Dose
5 mL twice daily with food
2.13
Local sclerosants
Ethanolamine oleate and sodium tetradecyl sulphate are
used in sclerotherapy of
varicose veins,
and phenol
is
used in haemorrhoids (section 1.7.3).
ETHANOLAMINE OLEATE
(Monoethanolamine Oleate)
Indications
sclerotherapy of varicose veins
Cautions
extravasation may cause necrosis of tissues
Contra-indications
inability to walk,
acute phlebitis,
oral contraceptive use,
obese legs
Side-effects
allergic reactions (including anaphylaxis)
Ethanolamine Oleate
(UCB Pharma) A
Injection
,
ethanolamine oleate 5%, net price 2-mL
amp = £3.19,
5-mL amp = £5.98
Dose
by slow injection into empty isolated segment of vein,
2–
5 mL divided between 3–4 sites;
repeated at weekly intervals
SODIUM TETRADECYL SULPHATE
Indications
sclerotherapy of varicose veins
Cautions
see under Ethanolamine Oleate
Contra-indications
see under Ethanolamine Oleate
Side-effects
see under Ethanolamine Oleate
Fibro-Vein
c
(STD Pharmaceutical) A
Injection
, sodium tetradecyl sulphate 0.2%, net price
5-mL amp = £5.51;
0.5%,
2-mL amp = £2.87;
1%, 2-
mL amp = £3.31; 3%, 2-mL amp = £4.07, 5-mL vial =
£10.25
Dose
by slow injection into empty isolated segment of vein, 0.1–
1 mL according to site and condition being treated (consult
product literature)
BNF 61
2.13 Local sclerosants
169
2
Cardiovascular system