Another key point: Vascepa contains purified ethyl EPA, an omega-3 fatty acid, but does not contain significant amounts of docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, another omega-3 fatty acid that is a major component of non-prescription fish-oil pills, as well as Lovaza.

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Most big studies confirming the cardiovascular benefits of omega-3s have tested either docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 found in salmon, sardines and breast milk, or another fish oil called eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).

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