Cod Liver Oil Effectiveness, Safety, and Drug Interactions on RxList

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February 9, 2012

Cod Liver Oil

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Cod Liver Oil Safety and Side Effects

Cod liver oil is safe for most people. It can cause side effects including belching, bad breath, heartburn, and nosebleeds. Taking cod liver oil with meals can often decrease these side effects.

High doses might keep blood from clotting and can increase the chance of bleeding. Vitamin A and vitamin D levels might also become too high with high doses of cod liver oil. High doses might also cause nausea and loose stools.

Do not take cod liver oil if:

You are pregnant or breast-feeding.
You are sensitive to aspirin. Cod liver oil might affect your breathing.

What other names is Cod Liver Oil known by?

Aceite de Higado de Bacalao, Acides Gras Oméga 3, Acides Gras N-3, Acides Gras Polyinsaturés, Cod Oil, Fish Liver Oil, Fish Oil, Halibut Liver Oil, Huile de Foie, Huile de Foie de Flétan, Huile de Foie de Morue, Huile de Foie de Poisson, Huile de Morue, Huile de Poisson, Liver Oil, N-3 Fatty Acids, Omega 3, Oméga 3, Omega 3 Fatty Acids, Omega-3, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids.

What is Cod Liver Oil?

Cod liver oil can be obtained from eating fresh cod liver or by taking supplements.

Likely Effective for...

Lowering fats called triglycerides.

Possibly Effective for...

High blood pressure.
Kidney disease in people with type 2 diabetes.

Possibly Ineffective for...

Osteoarthritis.
Cholesterol disease that runs in families (familial hypercholesterolemia).

Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...

Heart disease, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), wound healing, glaucoma, depression, preventing an irregular heartbeat in people with heart disease, and preventing ear infections in young children.

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).

Next: How does Cod Liver Oil work?