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Education & CE Opportunities

Focus on Persistent Cardiovascular Risk

Sponsored by Amarin Pharma, Inc.

    

Recorded Webinar

VASCEPA® (icosapent ethyl): Elevating the Standard of Care

Robert Busch, MD, FACE and Curtis Triplitt, PharmD, CDCES

Persistent Cardiovascular Risk (P-CVR) remains high despite statin-based standard-of-care therapy in people with elevated triglycerides. In this program, we will review data from a practice changing trial that provides a groundbreaking therapeutic option to elevate the current standard of care, including patients with diabetes. Learn about the impact this treatment option can provide.

Originally presented on August 6, 2020. There is no CE credit for this activity.
    
     

Podcast 


While many treatments and lifestyle modifications can help people with diabetes reduce risks for cardiovascular disease (CVD), persistent cardiovascular risk (P-CVR) remains an issue for individuals with type 2 diabetes despite treatment with statins and effective LDL lowering. Dr. Jennifer Goldman, a diabetes care and education specialist and pharmacist for over 31 years, joins us to discuss the elevated risk for CVD in people with diabetes and a tool in the diabetes toolbox to help those with CVD and persistent CVD risk.

Tip Sheet


INDICATIONS AND LIMITATIONS OF USE

• VASCEPA® (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 adult patients with elevated triglyceride (TG) levels (≥150 mg/dL) and established cardiovascular disease or diabetes mellitus and 2 or more additional risk factors for cardiovascular disease
• VASCEPA is indicated as an adjunct to diet to reduce TG levels in adult patients with severe (≥500 mg/dL) hypertriglyceridemia
The effect of VASCEPA on the risk for pancreatitis in patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia has not been determined.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

• VASCEPA is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity (e.g., anaphylactic reaction) to VASCEPA or any of its components
• VASCEPA was associated with an increased risk (3% vs 2%) of atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter requiring hospitalization in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The incidence of atrial fibrillation was greater in patients with a previous history of atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter
• It is not known whether patients with allergies to fish and/or shellfish are at an increased risk of an allergic reaction to VASCEPA. Patients with such allergies should discontinue VASCEPA if any reactions occur
• VASCEPA was associated with an increased risk (12% vs 10%) of bleeding in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The incidence of bleeding was greater in patients receiving concomitant antithrombotic medications, such as aspirin, clopidogrel or warfarin
• Common adverse reactions in the cardiovascular outcomes trial (incidence ≥3% and ≥1% more frequent than placebo): musculoskeletal pain (4% vs 3%), peripheral edema (7% vs 5%), constipation (5% vs 4%), gout (4% vs 3%) and atrial fibrillation (5% vs 4%)
• Common adverse reactions in the hypertriglyceridemia trials (incidence ≥1% more frequent than placebo): arthralgia (2% vs 1%) and oropharyngeal pain (1% vs 0.3%)
• Adverse events may be reported by calling 1-855-VASCEPA or the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088
• Patients receiving VASCEPA and concomitant anticoagulants and/or anti-platelet agents should be monitored for bleeding

Please see full Prescribing Information for more information on VASCEPA.

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