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Does Combination Of Fish Oil And High Cholesterol Medication Cause Side Effects?
Question: Hi,
I take 3 mls of liquid Abilify, 250 mls of liquid Sertraline and 1 mg of Klonopin 3x/daily. I just started taking liquid fish oil because I found out that I have high cholesterol. My pharmacist told me to take the fish oil either 2 hours before or 2 hours after my medication. I am doing that, however, I have felt a little weird since starting the fish oil...kind of headachey, nervous, etc. Could the fish oil be doing this in combination with my medications? What else do you suggest regarding fish oil? Thanks, XXXX
Also, just as an fyi, my diet isn't great. I'm working on it, though, to make it better.
I take 3 mls of liquid Abilify, 250 mls of liquid Sertraline and 1 mg of Klonopin 3x/daily. I just started taking liquid fish oil because I found out that I have high cholesterol. My pharmacist told me to take the fish oil either 2 hours before or 2 hours after my medication. I am doing that, however, I have felt a little weird since starting the fish oil...kind of headachey, nervous, etc. Could the fish oil be doing this in combination with my medications? What else do you suggest regarding fish oil? Thanks, XXXX
Also, just as an fyi, my diet isn't great. I'm working on it, though, to make it better.
Brief Answer:
take it with meals or within 1/2hr of meals
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Fish oil can cause varied uneasy sensation in head, can lead to gastric symptoms like bletching or acidiity, nausea etc; or headaches, anxiety etc. These side effects can be reduced by taking fish oil with meals. So, this is where I think that you are going wrong (you are doing exactly the opposite by taking it almost empty stomach).
If you want to continue with fish oil- take it with meals and see if this helps. Fish oil is good to reduce triglycerides fatty acids in blood and is good for heart. You have not mentioned your lipid levels otherwise it could have advised if proper medicine will be better along with fish oil for quick and true managment.
You should also look upon your diet and avoid sweets, oily fatty stuffs, take more food which is full of protein and have high glycemic index. Take more fibrous food and salads. You must check your diet as it will help you in long run compared to fish oil or any medicine.
P.S. Get TSH level tested as low cholesterol can also lead to raised cholesterol.
Hope the reply is useful.
please ask more questions for clarification.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
take it with meals or within 1/2hr of meals
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Fish oil can cause varied uneasy sensation in head, can lead to gastric symptoms like bletching or acidiity, nausea etc; or headaches, anxiety etc. These side effects can be reduced by taking fish oil with meals. So, this is where I think that you are going wrong (you are doing exactly the opposite by taking it almost empty stomach).
If you want to continue with fish oil- take it with meals and see if this helps. Fish oil is good to reduce triglycerides fatty acids in blood and is good for heart. You have not mentioned your lipid levels otherwise it could have advised if proper medicine will be better along with fish oil for quick and true managment.
You should also look upon your diet and avoid sweets, oily fatty stuffs, take more food which is full of protein and have high glycemic index. Take more fibrous food and salads. You must check your diet as it will help you in long run compared to fish oil or any medicine.
P.S. Get TSH level tested as low cholesterol can also lead to raised cholesterol.
Hope the reply is useful.
please ask more questions for clarification.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks, Dr. XXXXXXX for your answer (s). I will try and take the fish oil with food from now on, etc. You are right; I have been taking it on an empty stomach. Also, since I am prone to anxiety, this will hopefully help. I have been eating more fiber and I'm working on increasing my fruit and vegetable intake, which has been lacking. And...I used to be a big ice cream eater, but I have cut out ice cream and frozen yogurt out of my diet. Thanks again. Interesting to know that fish oil can cause anxiety, especially if taken on an empty stomach. Also, I'm meeting with my family nurse practicioner in three months to see how things are going, if my cholesterol has gone down and/or if I need medication.
Brief Answer:
more fibrous fruits & exercise
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Im hapoy to know that you have already started making dietary changes...do stick to them- they are immensely helpful.
Also, take fruits which have more fiber and are less sweet- as excess of sugar is again stored in form of fat in the body (which we want to avoid..).
Alongwith right diet: regular exercise is also an imporrant part of reducing cholesterol. So, you may start jogging or atleast go for a brisk walk for 30-45min dialy.
All the best.
Wish you speedy recovery!
Dr. Manisha Gopal
more fibrous fruits & exercise
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Im hapoy to know that you have already started making dietary changes...do stick to them- they are immensely helpful.
Also, take fruits which have more fiber and are less sweet- as excess of sugar is again stored in form of fat in the body (which we want to avoid..).
Alongwith right diet: regular exercise is also an imporrant part of reducing cholesterol. So, you may start jogging or atleast go for a brisk walk for 30-45min dialy.
All the best.
Wish you speedy recovery!
Dr. Manisha Gopal
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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