Comparing Two Omega-3 Prescription Forms in People With a History of Severe Triglyceride-Related Pancreatitis

This small crossover study looked at 15 people with severe high triglycerides who had previously experienced pancreatitis linked to that condition. All were following a low-fat diet, which is often recommended in this situation. The researchers compared two prescription omega-3 formulations — a carboxylic acid form and a standard ethyl ester form — to see how well each was absorbed into the bloodstream while on a low-fat diet.

Because a low-fat diet can reduce the digestive enzyme needed to break down ethyl ester omega-3s, the researchers wondered whether the carboxylic acid form (which doesn’t require as much of that enzyme) would be absorbed better under these conditions. In a single-dose test with a low-fat meal, the carboxylic acid form did show higher short-term blood levels of EPA and DHA compared to the ethyl ester form, though the differences weren’t statistically significant.

However, after four weeks of daily use, the resting (pre-dose) blood levels of EPA and DHA rose by similar amounts no matter which formulation was used. So while one form appeared to be absorbed somewhat better right after a meal, this didn’t clearly translate into higher long-term blood levels.