[7] On 13 December 2019, the FDA also approved Vascepa as the first drug specifically "to reduce cardiovascular risk among people with elevated triglyceride levels".

[9][10] In the European Union, icosapent ethyl is indicated to reduce cardiovascular risk as an adjunct to statin therapy.

[4] In the United States, icosapent ethyl is indicated as an adjunct to maximally tolerated statin therapy to reduce the risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, coronary revascularization, and unstable angina requiring hospitalization in adults with elevated triglyceride levels (≥ 150 mg/dL) and established cardiovascular disease or diabetes and two or more additional risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

called "bad cholesterol") and LDL-C values (most typically only a calculated estimate and not measured by labs from person's blood sample for technical and cost reasons; however, this is accurately calculated with a less common NMR lipid panel lab), whilst eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) alone does not and instead lowers the parameters aforementioned.

[23][24][25] Compared to dietary supplements, the ingredients in prescription drugs are more carefully controlled and are typically fixed and tested in clinical trials.

[26] The prescription forms are also typically more concentrated, requiring fewer capsules to be taken and increasing the likelihood of compliance.

The labels for the two drugs were similar, but doctors prescribed Lovaza for people who had triglycerides lower than 500 mg/dL based on some clinical evidence.

[36] In December 2019, the FDA approved the use of icosapent ethyl as an adjunctive (secondary) therapy to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events among adults with elevated triglyceride levels (a type of fat in the blood) of 150 milligrams per deciliter or higher.

[6] Icosapent ethyl is the first FDA approved drug to reduce cardiovascular risk among people with elevated triglyceride levels as an add-on to maximally tolerated statin therapy.

[6] Participants who received icosapent ethyl were significantly less likely to experience a cardiovascular event, such as a stroke or heart attack.