Krill Oil

Generic name: Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids

Usage of Krill Oil

Krill is a small crustacean with an appearance similar to shrimp. They are found in the colder waters of the ocean. Krill primarily serve as a food source for other animals in the ocean, for example - whales, seals, penguins, squid and fish.

Krill is found in the oceans off of Antarctica, Canada, and Japan. Harvesting of krill is controversial. There is concern that commercial harvesting of Krill for use in Krill Oil supplements could threaten the species that consume it for food, including whales. All krill oil sold in nutritional supplements is harvested out of the open ocean, upsetting the natural balance of food supplies for larger marine animals.

Commercial uses of Krill include salmon aquaculture farming, harvesting for use in Krill Oil capsules, as food for home aquariums, and as a human food source. Krill, known as Okiami has been harvested by the Japanese as a human food source since the 19th century, and is also consumed in South Korea and Taiwan. Krill has a pink or red appearance due to the plankton that they consume as a food source in the ocean.1

Krill Oil side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Krill Oil: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using Fish Oil and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

Fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms

Chest pain

Uneven heartbeats

Less serious Krill Oil side effects may include:

Back pain

Mild skin rash

Fishy aftertaste or belching in some patients

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.1

Before taking Krill Oil

Do not use Marine Oils like Krill Oil if you are allergic to fish, shrimp or any other type of seafood. Be sure to check the label on the Krill Oil package to look for other active or inactive ingredients that may cause an allergy. If you are not sure, ask your pharmacist. Ask a doctor or pharmacist about using this medicine if you have:

Diabetes

Liver disease

A pancreas disorder

Blood clotting disorder or risk of stroke

Upcoming surgery or procedure that might increase your risk for bleeding

Underactive thyroid

If you drink more than two alcoholic beverages per day

It is not known whether Krill Oil will harm an unborn baby, although certain prescription omega-3 fatty acids (Lovaza) have a Pregnancy Rating C. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using Krill Oil. It is not known whether omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids pass into breast milk or if this could harm a nursing baby. Do not use Krill Oil without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not give this medication to anyone under 18 years old.1 See also: Fish Oil and Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Warnings (in more detail)

Warnings

Take Krill Oil exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended.

Krill Oil should not be used in patients with a fish or shrimp allergy, or probably any other type of seafood. Tests for susceptibility to allergic reactions to Krill Oil have not been completed.

People with coagulopathy or taking anticoagulants or other medications should notify their physician prior to taking dietary supplements.

Stop taking Krill Oil at least two weeks prior to any scheduled surgery or procedure.

Swallow the Krill Oil capsule whole. Do not puncture or open the capsule.

Marine Oils, such as Krill Oil, is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.1

There may be other drugs that can interact with Krill Oil. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Stop using Krill Oil and get emergency medical help if you think you have used too much medicine, or if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Less serious side effects are more likely, and you may have none at all. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect Krill Oil

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

Estrogens (birth control pills or hormone replacement)

A blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven)

Aspirin or NSAIDS (naproxen, ibuprofen, Aleve, Motrin IB, Advil)

A beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin, Tenoretic), carvedilol (Coreg), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), metoprolol (Dutoprol, Lopressor, Toprol), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), sotalol (Betapace), and others, or

A diuretic (water pill) such as chlorothiazide (Diuril), hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL, Microzide), chlorthalidone (Hygroton, Thalitone), indapamide (Lozol), metolazone (Mykrox, Zaroxolyn), and others

Orlistat (Xenical, Alli) for weight loss

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with Fish Oil. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.1

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.