Identification
- Summary
Cod liver oil is an ingredient found in a variety of nutritional products.
- Generic Name
- Cod liver oil
- DrugBank Accession Number
- DB11321
- Background
Cod liver oil is extracted from the liver of cod fish and mainly consists of omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Also being a rich source of vitamin A and D, cod liver oil can be taken orally as daily supplements. It is used as an adjunct treatment and preventative therapy of rickets, osteomalacia and osteoporosis while meeting the consumption criteria.
- Type
- Small Molecule
- Groups
- Nutraceutical, Vet approved
- Synonyms
- Cod liver oil
- Cod-liver oil
- Gadus morhua liver oil
- Oils, cod liver
- Oleum morrhuae
Pharmacology
- Indication
Cod liver oil is predominantly manufactured, marketed, and used by the population at large as a general nutraceutical dietary supplement 1,2,7.
Historically, cod liver oil was often given to children because the vitamin d content in the oil had been shown to prevent or treat vitamin D deficiency and condition of rickets associated with it 2. Over time, this common use in children growing up may have conferred upon cod liver oil its identity as a healthy and useful all-purpose dietary supplement.
However, since cod liver oil is a composite of several other nutritional compounds including the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) as well as vitamin A and vitamin D 2,7,6, the presence in varying amounts of all of these compounds at once makes it difficult to recommend or use cod liver oil as an appropriate supplement to confer any one particular health effect or for any one particular nutritional deficiency.
Regardless, because it does contain a combination of a number of important and healthy nutritional compounds, cod liver oil has sometimes been recommended in the literature for conferring the health effects of some of these compounds, such as the potential use of cod liver oil supplements in post-heart attack patients for secondary prophylaxis associated with the use of omega-3 fatty acids 5.
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Indication Type Indication Combined Product Details Approval Level Age Group Patient Characteristics Dose Form Prevention of Deficiency, vitamin a •••••••••••• ••••••• Prevention of Deficiency, vitamin d •••••••••••• ••••••• - Associated Therapies
- Contraindications & Blackbox Warnings
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As cod liver oil is a composite of several other nutritional compounds including the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) as well as vitamin A and vitamin D 2,7,6, the presence in varying amounts of all of these compounds at once makes it difficult to recommend or use cod liver oil as an appropriate supplement to confer any one particular health effect or for any one particular nutritional deficiency.
For example, one tablespoon of cod liver oil contains approximately 4,080 ug of retinol (vitamin A) and 34 ug (1,360 IU) of vitamin D 6. Since the general dietary reference intake of vitamin A is only 900 ug per day for adult men, 700 ug per day for women, and 3000 ug per day as the tolerable upper intake level, the regular intake of cod liver oil as a regular supplement can result in harmful levels of vitamin A accumulating in the liver and sufficient to cause hypervitaminosis A 3, which is associated with various symptoms such as blurred vision, changes in consciousness, skin and hair changes, liver damage, among many others.
Moreover, while cod liver oil only contains a certain percentage of the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA per amount of the oil 6, separate fish oils supplement products that exclusively consist of only EPA and DHA are available in a great variety of different percentage content formulations, even including prescription strength formulations should certain patients need such a level of therapy. Furthermore, such exclusive omega-3 fatty acid supplement products do not contain any vitamin A or D either, which allows patients to use the supplements without any concern about affecting their vitamin A or D levels or exposing themselves to the unnecessary excess intake of vitamins.
Subsequently, although cod liver oil contains a combination of healthy dietary supplements like EPA, DHA, vitamin A, and vitamin D, the presence in varying amounts of all of these compounds all at once makes it difficult to effectively titrate for appropriate amounts of intake for all the compounds involved when using cod liver oil as a general supplement, often resulting in either an excess or insufficient amount of one or more the aforementioned compounds.
Nevertheless, because cod liver oil does consist of the component compounds of EPA, DHA, vitamin A, and vitamin D, further information about the pharmacodynamics of these cod liver oil components can be found by searching for fish oil, vitamin A, and vitamin D on DrugBank.
- Mechanism of action
As cod liver oil consists of the component compounds of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), vitamin A, and vitamin D 2,7,6 further information about the mechanisms of action of these cod liver oil components can be found by searching for fish oil, vitamin A, and vitamin D on DrugBank.
- Absorption
As cod liver oil consists of the component compounds of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), vitamin A, and vitamin D 2,7,6 further information about the absorptions of these cod liver oil components can be found by searching for fish oil, vitamin A, and vitamin D on DrugBank.
- Volume of distribution
As cod liver oil consists of the component compounds of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), vitamin A, and vitamin D 2,7,6 further information about the volumes of distribution of these cod liver oil components can be found by searching for fish oil, vitamin A, and vitamin D on DrugBank.
- Protein binding
As cod liver oil consists of the component compounds of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), vitamin A, and vitamin D 2,7,6 further information about the protein binding of these cod liver oil components can be found by searching for fish oil, vitamin A, and vitamin D on DrugBank.
- Metabolism
As cod liver oil consists of the component compounds of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), vitamin A, and vitamin D 2,7,6 further information about the metabolism of these cod liver oil components can be found by searching for fish oil, vitamin A, and vitamin D on DrugBank.
- Route of elimination
As cod liver oil consists of the component compounds of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), vitamin A, and vitamin D 2,7,6 further information about the routes of elimination of these cod liver oil components can be found by searching for fish oil, vitamin A, and vitamin D on DrugBank.
- Half-life
As cod liver oil consists of the component compounds of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), vitamin A, and vitamin D 2,7,6 further information about the half-lives of these cod liver oil components can be found by searching for fish oil, vitamin A, and vitamin D on DrugBank.
- Clearance
As cod liver oil consists of the component compounds of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), vitamin A, and vitamin D 2,7,6 further information about the clearance of these cod liver oil components can be found by searching for fish oil, vitamin A, and vitamin D on DrugBank.
- Adverse Effects
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As cod liver oil consists of the component compounds of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), vitamin A, and vitamin D 2,7,6 further information about the toxicities of these cod liver oil components can be found by searching for fish oil, vitamin A, and vitamin D on DrugBank.
- Pathways
- Not Available
- Pharmacogenomic Effects/ADRs
- Not Available
Interactions
- Drug Interactions
- This information should not be interpreted without the help of a healthcare provider. If you believe you are experiencing an interaction, contact a healthcare provider immediately. The absence of an interaction does not necessarily mean no interactions exist.Not Available
- Food Interactions
- Not Available
Products
Drug product information from 10+ global regionsOur datasets provide approved product information including:dosage, form, labeller, route of administration, and marketing period.Access drug product information from over 10 global regions.- Over the Counter Products
Name Dosage Strength Route Labeller Marketing Start Marketing End Region Image COD LIVER OIL CAPSULES Capsule 270 mg ห้างหุ้นส่วนจำกัด โรเยลดรักส์ 1984-02-14 Not applicable Thailand 
Cod Liver Oil Liq 100% Liquid 100 % Oral Regal Pharms, Division Of Bradcan Corporation 1977-12-31 1998-07-29 Canada 
Omeza Skin Protectant Gel Gel 14.24 g/100mL Topical Omeza LLC 2022-11-21 Not applicable US 
Omeza Skin Protectant Gel Gel 0.2712 mg/100mL Topical Omeza LLC 2022-11-21 Not applicable US น้ำมันตับปลา Capsule 275 mg บริษัท เมก้า ไลฟ์ไซแอ็นซ์ จำกัด (มหาชน) 1988-03-02 Not applicable Thailand - Mixture Products
Name Ingredients Dosage Route Labeller Marketing Start Marketing End Region Image Caldesene Medicated Ointment Cod liver oil (15 %) + Zinc oxide (15 %) Ointment Topical Novartis 1994-04-21 2000-07-19 Canada CURACID Dermal for cuts and burns Cod liver oil (100 mg/1mL) + Petrolatum (300 mg/1mL) Ointment Topical Rev Pharma Corp. 2019-05-01 Not applicable US Curefini Cod liver oil (100 mg/1mL) + Petrolatum (300 mg/1mL) Ointment Topical Miramar Cosmetic, Inc. 2022-06-01 Not applicable US Curefini Cod liver oil (100 mg/1mL) + Petrolatum (300 mg/1mL) Ointment Topical Rev Pharma Corp. 2013-01-17 Not applicable US Curefini Cod liver oil (100 mg/1mL) + Petrolatum (300 mg/1mL) Ointment Topical Pure Source, Llc 2013-01-17 Not applicable US
Categories
- Drug Categories
- Classification
- Not classified
- Affected organisms
- Humans and other mammals
Chemical Identifiers
- UNII
- BBL281NWFG
- CAS number
- 8001-69-2
References
- General References
- Lentjes MA, Welch AA, Mulligan AA, Luben RN, Wareham NJ, Khaw KT: Cod liver oil supplement consumption and health: cross-sectional results from the EPIC-Norfolk cohort study. Nutrients. 2014 Oct 16;6(10):4320-37. doi: 10.3390/nu6104320. [Article]
- Rajakumar K: Vitamin D, cod-liver oil, sunlight, and rickets: a historical perspective. Pediatrics. 2003 Aug;112(2):e132-5. [Article]
- Lips P: Hypervitaminosis A and fractures. N Engl J Med. 2003 Jan 23;348(4):347-9. doi: 10.1056/NEJMe020167. [Article]
- Haddad JG: Vitamin D--solar rays, the Milky Way, or both? N Engl J Med. 1992 Apr 30;326(18):1213-5. doi: 10.1056/NEJM199204303261808. [Article]
- von Schacky C: n-3 fatty acids and the prevention of coronary atherosclerosis. Am J Clin Nutr. 2000 Jan;71(1 Suppl):224S-7S. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/71.1.224s. [Article]
- USDA: Full Report (All Nutrients): 04589, Fish oil, cod liver [Link]
- NIH NCCIH Clinical Digest for Health Professionals: Omega-3 Fatty Acids - What the Science Says [Link]
- External Links
- PubChem Substance
- 347911186
- 2669
- Wikipedia
- Cod_liver_oil
- MSDS
- Download (47 KB)
Clinical Trials
Pharmacoeconomics
- Manufacturers
- Not Available
- Packagers
- Not Available
- Dosage Forms
Form Route Strength Emulsion Oral Oil Oral 100 % Capsule 270 mg Liquid Oral 100 % Cream Topical Capsule, liquid filled Oral Capsule, liquid filled Oral Gel Topical 0.2712 mg/100mL Gel Topical 14.24 g/100mL Ointment Topical Syrup Oral Capsule, gelatin coated Oral Capsule, liquid filled Oral 800 mg Capsule 275 mg - Prices
- Not Available
- Patents
- Not Available
Properties
- State
- Not Available
- Experimental Properties
- Not Available
- Predicted Properties
- Not Available
- Predicted ADMET Features
- Not Available
Spectra
- Mass Spec (NIST)
- Not Available
- Spectra
- Not Available
- Chromatographic Properties
Collision Cross Sections (CCS)
Not Available
Drug created at December 03, 2015 16:52 / Updated at September 28, 2021 21:54