LAKE ZURICH, Ill. — Fresenius Kabi, a global health care company that specializes in medicines and technologies for infusion, transfusion and clinical nutrition, announced that Omegaven (fish oil triglycerides) injectable emulsion is now commercially available in the United States. This novel lipid had previously been available only for compassionate use in the U.S.

Omegaven is an intravenous lipid emulsion that provides calories and fatty acids for pediatric patients with parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis, or PNAC. Omegaven is the first and only FDA-approved fish oil lipid emulsion for this condition, the company noted.

“Omegaven fills a critical gap in the current nutrition management of pediatric patients suffering from PNAC. Previously, clinicians had no options for the provision of lipids for these vulnerable children, who because of PNAC, are at serious risk of liver failure,” said Gordon Sacks, senior director of medical affairs for parenteral nutrition at Fresenius Kabi USA. “Fresenius Kabi is pleased Omegaven is now widely available to meet the short and long-term calorie and fatty acid needs of PNAC pediatric patients that were previously unmet.”

Cholestasis is a condition in which bile is not released from the liver. PNAC may occur following long-term parenteral nutrition administration in pediatric patients with temporary or permanent intestinal failure. Development of PNAC is associated with increased morbidity and mortality and can progress to liver fibrosis, hepatic failure, and death.