Comprehensive medication guide to Vascepa including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$9–$60 copay for brand or generic depending on plan tier; prior authorization required by most insurers; Vascepa Savings Card reduces cost to as little as $9/month for eligible commercially insured patients.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$354–$422 retail for brand-name Vascepa; as low as $98 with GoodRx coupon for a 30-day supply. Generic icosapent ethyl is available at lower prices from pharmacies carrying it.
Medfinder Findability Score
65/100
On this page
Vascepa is a brand-name prescription medication manufactured by Amarin Pharma, Inc. Its active ingredient is icosapent ethyl (IPE) — a highly purified ethyl ester form of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), an omega-3 fatty acid. Vascepa is the first and only FDA-approved medication to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events in adults with elevated triglycerides who are already on statin therapy.
The FDA approved Vascepa in July 2012 for reducing severe hypertriglyceridemia (triglycerides ≥500 mg/dL). In December 2019, the FDA granted an expanded approval for cardiovascular risk reduction based on results from the landmark REDUCE-IT trial, which enrolled 8,179 patients and showed a 25% relative risk reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).
Generic icosapent ethyl has been available since 2020 from multiple FDA-approved manufacturers including Hikma, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Dr. Reddy's, and Apotex Corp. The generic is bioequivalent to brand-name Vascepa and is typically available at a lower cost. Vascepa has been prescribed more than 25 million times globally and was the 244th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States in 2023.
We have a 99% success rate finding medications, even during nationwide shortages.
Need this medication?
Vascepa's active ingredient, icosapent ethyl, is absorbed in the small intestine and metabolized by the liver. It reduces triglyceride levels through multiple mechanisms: it decreases VLDL-TG synthesis and secretion from the liver, enhances clearance of triglycerides from circulating VLDL particles via increased lipoprotein lipase activity, increases beta-oxidation (fat burning), inhibits the DGAT enzyme required for triglyceride assembly, and decreases overall hepatic lipogenesis.
Beyond triglyceride lowering, Vascepa's cardiovascular protective effects are believed to be multifactorial (pleiotropic). EPA incorporated into cell membranes increases the EPA/arachidonic acid ratio, reducing inflammation in artery walls. EPA also stabilizes atherosclerotic plaques, improves endothelial function (the lining of blood vessels), and modestly inhibits platelet aggregation. These combined effects are thought to explain why the REDUCE-IT trial showed a 25% relative reduction in MACE — larger than what triglyceride lowering alone would be expected to produce.
A key clinical advantage: unlike Lovaza (omega-3-acid ethyl esters), which contains both EPA and DHA, Vascepa contains only EPA and does not raise LDL cholesterol. DHA is associated with modest LDL increases in some patients, which is counterproductive in cardiovascular risk management.
0.5 g — softgel capsule
Four 0.5g capsules taken twice daily equals the standard 4g/day dose
1 g — softgel capsule
Two 1g capsules taken twice daily equals the standard 4g/day dose
Vascepa is not on the FDA's official drug shortage list as of 2026. However, patients routinely encounter real-world access challenges. Not all pharmacies stock both brand-name Vascepa and generic icosapent ethyl. Specialty-tier cardiovascular medications are sometimes held in limited supply at individual pharmacy locations, and availability varies significantly by geographic area. Rural communities and smaller towns often face fewer local pharmacy options.
Insurance prior authorization requirements add another layer of difficulty — most commercial plans and many Medicare Part D plans require documented medical necessity before approving Vascepa. This can delay therapy by days or weeks. Additionally, the brand vs. generic formulary patchwork can create a mismatch: your insurance covers one version but your pharmacy only stocks the other.
If you're having trouble finding Vascepa, medfinder can help. medfinder calls pharmacies in your area to find out which ones currently have your medication in stock, saving you hours of calls. Provide your medication name, dosage, and zip code — and receive results by text.
Vascepa is not a controlled substance and has no DEA scheduling requirements. Any licensed prescriber with standard prescribing authority can write for Vascepa. The medication is most commonly prescribed by providers who manage cardiovascular risk and lipid disorders:
Because Vascepa is not a controlled substance, it can be prescribed via telehealth appointments without the special requirements that apply to scheduled medications. Patients can connect with cardiologists, endocrinologists, internists, or general practitioners via telehealth to discuss eligibility and obtain a prescription, provided they have recent lipid panel results available for clinical review.
No. Vascepa (icosapent ethyl) is not a controlled substance and has no DEA scheduling. It is a prescription medication, so you do need a valid prescription from a licensed healthcare provider to obtain it. However, there are no special requirements related to controlled substance regulations — no triplicate prescriptions, no DEA-specific prescribing authority beyond standard prescribing licensure, and no state-level controlled substance restrictions.
Any licensed prescriber — including physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants — can prescribe Vascepa. Vascepa can also be prescribed via telehealth, since there are no controlled substance restrictions that would require in-person visits for this medication.
In the REDUCE-IT cardiovascular outcomes trial, the most common adverse reactions occurring at ≥3% and at least 1% more frequently than placebo were:
Serious side effects requiring medical attention:
Know what you need? Skip the search.
Lovaza (omega-3-acid ethyl esters)
Prescription omega-3 containing both EPA and DHA; approved for triglyceride reduction only (not CV risk reduction); may raise LDL; generic available
Fenofibrate (Tricor, Lipofen)
Fibrate; reduces triglycerides 40-60%; widely available in generic form at low cost; no proven CV event reduction in major trials
Gemfibrozil (Lopid)
Fibrate; effective TG reduction; caution with statins due to elevated myopathy risk — generally avoid combining with statins
Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
High-potency statin; also modestly reduces triglycerides; often prescribed alongside Vascepa as the statin component of dual therapy
Prefer Vascepa? We can find it.
Warfarin (Coumadin)
moderateVascepa may prolong bleeding time when combined with warfarin. Monitor INR and for signs of bleeding. Both are often used together in cardiovascular patients.
Apixaban (Eliquis)
moderateIncreased bleeding risk when combined. Monitor for unusual bleeding. Combination used in clinical practice with monitoring.
Rivaroxaban (Xarelto)
moderateIncreased bleeding risk. Monitor for bleeding signs when co-administering.
Clopidogrel (Plavix)
moderateAdditive antiplatelet effects increase bleeding risk. Combination evaluated in REDUCE-IT; monitor for unusual bleeding.
Aspirin
minorMild additive antiplatelet effect increases bleeding risk. Very commonly co-administered in cardiovascular patients; monitor for excessive bleeding.
Ticagrelor (Brilinta)
moderateAntiplatelet combination increases bleeding risk. Notify prescriber of all antiplatelet medications.
Vascepa (icosapent ethyl) is a clinically proven cardiovascular medication with a unique FDA-approved indication for reducing heart attack and stroke risk in high-risk patients on statin therapy with elevated triglycerides. The REDUCE-IT trial's 25% relative risk reduction in MACE over nearly 5 years represents a meaningful clinical benefit that is not replicated by OTC fish oil or other prescription omega-3 products.
Access remains the primary challenge for many patients. Insurance prior authorization, pharmacy stocking variation, and cost create real barriers to consistent adherence. Patients should know about generic icosapent ethyl (available since 2020), the Vascepa Savings Card (as low as $9/month for commercially insured patients), and mail-order pharmacy options for long-term supply.
If you're struggling to find Vascepa at your local pharmacy, medfinder can help by contacting pharmacies near you to locate which ones currently have it in stock. Provide your medication, dosage, and zip code — medfinder calls the pharmacies and texts you the results.
Medfinder Editorial Standards
Our medication guides are researched and written to help patients make informed decisions. All content is reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. Learn more about our standards
Real-time availability
Medfinder is actively checking pharmacy inventory for Vascepa. We don't publish a number until we have enough verified pharmacy checks to be accurate — start a search and our team confirms current availability near you, usually within 24 hours.
ChatGPT
Claude
Gemini