Icosapent is a highly purified omega-3 fatty acid derivative of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). It is a long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid used in pharmaceutical applications related to lipid management and cardiovascular risk reduction.
Icosapent is commonly associated with icosapent ethyl, the ethyl ester of eicosapentaenoic acid, which is used as an active pharmaceutical ingredient in prescription medicines for selected patients with elevated triglyceride levels and cardiovascular risk.
Icosapent-related pharmaceutical ingredients require controlled processing and purification to achieve the desired fatty-acid composition and purity. Quality control is particularly important because omega-3 fatty acids can be susceptible to oxidation.
Manufacturing and testing may focus on identity, fatty-acid purity, assay, oxidative degradation products, peroxide value, anisidine value, residual solvents, water and other process-related impurities.
CAS Number: 86227-47-6*
Molecular Formula: C22H34O2*
Molecular Weight: 330.51 g/mol*
Chemical Name: Icosapent Ethyl*
Common Name: EPA Ethyl Ester*
Drug Class: Lipid-Modifying Agent
Pharmacological Class: Omega-3 Fatty Acid Derivative
Therapeutic Class: Lipid-Lowering Agent
Therapeutic Area: Cardiovascular / Metabolic
*The term “Icosapent” can refer to EPA itself, while pharmaceutical product/API listings commonly use Icosapent Ethyl. The chemical data above correspond to Icosapent Ethyl and should be used only if that is the actual product being listed in your CMS.
Icosapent Ethyl provides highly purified EPA. Its lipid-modifying effects are associated with changes in hepatic lipid metabolism and reduced production and secretion of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins.
EPA also has biological effects involving lipid oxidation, inflammatory signaling and lipoprotein metabolism. The precise mechanisms contributing to cardiovascular risk reduction are complex and are not completely explained by triglyceride lowering alone.
Icosapent Ethyl is used in approved pharmaceutical formulations for selected patients with:
The exact indication depends on the approved product labeling and regulatory jurisdiction.
Icosapent is particularly important in pharmaceutical research involving omega-3 fatty acids, triglyceride metabolism, lipoprotein biology and cardiovascular risk reduction.
Highly purified EPA differs from mixed omega-3 preparations because it provides a defined EPA-based active ingredient rather than a broad mixture of different fatty acids.
Icosapent Ethyl is an ethyl ester of eicosapentaenoic acid containing five carbon-carbon double bonds. It is a lipid-like substance that is sensitive to oxidation.
Appropriate protection from oxygen, heat and light is therefore important during manufacturing, packaging and storage.
Icosapent Ethyl API quality evaluation may include:
Icosapent Ethyl should be stored in tightly closed, oxygen-protected packaging under controlled conditions. Protection from excessive heat, moisture, light and oxygen is important because polyunsaturated fatty-acid derivatives can undergo oxidative degradation.
Icosapent is relevant to research involving omega-3 fatty acid pharmacology, triglyceride reduction, lipid metabolism, cardiovascular therapeutics and EPA-based pharmaceutical formulations.
Icosapent, particularly in its pharmaceutical form Icosapent Ethyl, is an EPA-derived omega-3 fatty-acid pharmaceutical ingredient. Icosapent Ethyl has the molecular formula C22H34O2 and molecular weight 330.51 g/mol and is used in approved lipid-management therapies for selected patients with elevated triglycerides and cardiovascular risk.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White to off-white crystalline powder |
| Identification | IR & HPLC compliant |
| Assay (HPLC) | 98.0% – 102.0% |
| Loss on Drying | NMT 2.0% |
| Residue on Ignition | NMT 0.5% |
| pH (1% Solution) | 5.0 – 7.0 |
| Individual Impurity | NMT 0.5% |
| Total Impurities | NMT 2.0% |
| Water Content | NMT 2.0% |