Composition and method for preventing recurrence of stroke

Abstract

By using a composition for preventing onset and/or recurrence of stroke which contains ethyl icosapentate as its effective component, onset and/or recurrence of stroke is prevented, or in particular, the onset and/or recurrence of stroke in a hyperlipidemia patient who has been treated with HMG-CoA RI, or in particular the recurrence of stroke in a patient who is beyond six months after the onset of stroke, is prevented.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a graph prepared by plotting the incidence rate of stroke on Y axis and the time after the start of the trial on X axis, for the EPA-E group and the control group, in an example of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a graph prepared by plotting the incidence rate of stroke on Y axis and the time after the start of the trial on X axis, for the EPA-E group and the control group of the patients whose serum TG/HDL-C ratio at the time of registration was 3.75 or more and the serum TG value at the time of registration was less than 400 mg/dL, in an example of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for preventing recurrence of stroke, comprising administering ethyl icosapentate orally to a patient with history of stroke at a dose of 0.3 g/day to 6.0 g/day.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the patient is beyond six months after the onset of stroke.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein serum TG/HDL-C ratio of the patient is 3.75 or more.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor is administered to the patient in combination with the ethyl icosapentate.

5. A method according to claim 3, wherein the administration of the ethyl icosapentate to the patient is continued for at least three years.

6. A method according to claim 3, wherein a composition having the ethyl icosapentate at a proportion of 96.5% by weight or more in the total content of fatty acids and derivatives thereof is administered to the patient.

7. A method according to claim 2, wherein the patient suffers from hyperlipidemia.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor is administered to the patient in combination with the ethyl icosapentate.

9. A method according to claim 7, wherein the administration of the ethyl icosapentate to the patient is continued for at least three years.

10. A method according to claim 7, wherein a composition having the ethyl icosapentate at a proportion of 96.5% by weight or more in the total content of fatty acids and derivatives thereof is administered to the patient.