Fatty Acid
EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid)
Also known as: eicosapentaenoic acid, icosapent, EPA omega-3, EPA
EPA is a long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid with strong evidence supporting cardiovascular and inflammatory benefits. It is commonly used for heart health, triglyceride reduction, and cognitive support.
Daily target & upper limit
500 mg / dayEPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid) has an established daily reference intake. See best forms, label synonyms, upper-limit warnings, and top-scoring supplements:
EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid) dosage reference →Primary uses
- Mood
- Depression
- Inflammation
- Brain health
- cardiovascular health
- triglyceride reduction
- inflammation management
- cognitive function
- mood support
How it works
- reduces triglyceride synthesis in the liver
- decreases platelet aggregation and blood clotting
- modulates inflammatory eicosanoid production
- supports neuronal cell membrane integrity and synaptic function
Dosage
- Typical range
- 500–2,000 mg daily for general health; 2,000–4,000 mg daily for cardiovascular support
- Timing
- with meals to enhance absorption and reduce gastrointestinal side effects
- With food
- with food containing dietary fat for optimal bioavailability
- Duration
- benefits typically appear after 4–12 weeks of consistent supplementation; long-term use is safe
- Special populations
- higher doses (2,000+ mg daily) should be discussed with healthcare provider; pregnant/nursing women may benefit from EPA but should confirm dosing with provider
Forms
- High-EPA fish oil
- EPA-only
- fish oil concentrate· 70/100
- algae-derived· 70/100
- ethyl ester· 70/100
- triglyceride form· 70/100
- prescription (Vascepa)· 70/100
Safety
Common side effects
- fishy aftertaste
- gastrointestinal upset
- nausea
- loose stools
- mild bruising (rare)
Contraindications
- bleeding disorders or use of anticoagulants (warfarin, dabigatran) at very high doses
- fish or seafood allergy (fish oil forms)
- upcoming surgery (may increase bleeding risk at very high doses)
Products containing EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid)
Top-scoring supplements in our catalog that list EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid) on the label. Each product is graded on Formulate's ingredient-level rubric — dose accuracy, form, transparency, and third-party testing.
Evidence notes
Multiple large-scale RCTs (including REDUCE-IT) demonstrate efficacy for triglyceride reduction and cardiovascular outcomes. Consistent evidence for anti-inflammatory effects and cognitive benefits from systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
Grade A: Multiple well-designed human trials support the main claims.
Cited research for EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid)
Clinical studies referenced across Formulate guides that mention epa (eicosapentaenoic acid). Each links to the full study page with PubMed source + the guides that cite it.
- Nicholls et al. (2020)JAMA
Effect of High-Dose Omega-3 Fatty Acids vs Corn Oil on Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (STRENGTH)
- Skulas-Ray et al. (2019)Circulation
Omega-3 Fatty Acids for the Management of Hypertriglyceridemia: A Science Advisory From the American Heart Association
- Bhatt DL, Steg PG, Miller M, et al. (2019)New England Journal of Medicine
Cardiovascular Risk Reduction with Icosapent Ethyl for Hypertriglyceridemia (REDUCE-IT)
- Liao et al. (2019)Translational Psychiatry
Efficacy of omega-3 PUFAs in depression: a meta-analysis
- Mori (2014)Fitoterapia
Omega-3 fatty acids and hypertension in humans
EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid) compared head-to-head
Related in Fatty Acid
Check a full stack
Formulate's free interaction checker lets you paste in any combination of supplements and medications at once — every pairing flags severity, timing, and cited evidence.
Open the checkerMedical disclaimer. This page is educational and does not replace advice from a qualified healthcare provider.