See the DrugPatentWatch profile for aspirin

Aspirin and Vascepa are two medications that are often used to treat cardiovascular conditions. Aspirin is a blood-thinning agent that is commonly prescribed to prevent heart attacks and strokes, while Vascepa is a prescription medication used to lower triglyceride levels in the blood.

According to DrugPatentWatch.com, both aspirin and Vascepa work by affecting the blood's ability to clot. Aspirin works by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins, which are hormone-like substances that can cause platelets in the blood to stick together and form clots. Vascepa, on the other hand, contains a highly purified form of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), which is an omega-3 fatty acid that has been shown to reduce triglyceride levels in the blood.

While both medications can be effective in treating cardiovascular conditions, their combined use can increase the risk of bleeding. This is because both drugs affect the blood's ability to clot, and when used together, they can increase the risk of excessive bleeding.

According to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, patients taking both aspirin and Vascepa had a higher risk of bleeding than those taking either medication alone. The study found that the risk of bleeding was highest in patients taking high doses of aspirin (325 mg or more per day) and Vascepa.

Therefore, it is essential to inform healthcare providers about all medications being taken, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements, to minimize the risk of adverse drug interactions. Healthcare providers may need to adjust the dosage or recommend alternative medications to reduce the risk of bleeding.

In summary, while aspirin and Vascepa can be effective in treating cardiovascular conditions, their combined use can increase the risk of bleeding. Patients should inform their healthcare providers about all medications they are taking to minimize the risk of adverse drug interactions.

Sources:

1. DrugPatentWatch.com. (n.d.). Vascepa. Retrieved from <https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/drugs/vascepa>
2. FDA. (2012). FDA approves Vascepa (icosapent ethyl) to reduce risk of cardiovascular events in certain at-risk patients. Retrieved from <https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-vascepa-icosapent-ethyl-reduce-risk-cardiovascular-events-certain-risk-patients>
3. Bhatt, D. L., Steg, P. G., Miller, M., Brinton, E. A., Jacobson, T. A., Ketchum, S. B., ... & Gong, Y. (2019). Cardiovascular risk reduction with icosapent ethyl for hypertriglyceridemia. New England Journal of Medicine, 380(1), 11-22.
4. American Heart Association. (2021). Aspirin and Heart Disease. Retrieved from <https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/treatment-of-a-heart-attack/aspirin-and-heart-disease>
5. Mayo Clinic. (2021). Aspirin: Does it have heart benefits? Retrieved from <https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/aspirin/art-20047534>