fenofibrate

Fenofibrate is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.

Avoid drinking alcohol while taking fenofibrate. Alcohol can raise triglyceride levels, and may also damage your liver while you are taking fenofibrate.

Fenofibrate has been associated with a rare but serious side effect of the muscles. Contact your doctor at once if you have unusual muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if accompanied by fever or flu-like feeling.

Fenofibrate helps reduce cholesterol and triclygerides (fatty acids) in the blood. High levels of these types of fat in the blood are associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis (clogged arteries).

Fenofibrate is used to treat high cholsterol and high triglyceride levels.

Fenofibrate may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

You should not use fenofibrate if you have:

• hepatitis or cirrhosis of the liver;
• severe kidney disease; or
• gallbladder disease.

Before using fenofibrate, tell your doctor if you have:

• liver disease;
• kidney disease;
• gallbladder disease;
• hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid gland); or
• diabetes.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use fenofibrate, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Fenofibrate should not be used by nursing mothers. Do not take fenofibrate without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Take fenofibrate exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts or for longer than recommended by your doctor.

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

Fenofibrate should be taken with meals to help your body better absorb the medicine.

Do not take a fenofibrate tablet that has been accidentally broken. The medicine from a crushed or broken tablet can be dangerous if it gets in your eyes, mouth, or nose, or on your skin. If you must handle a broken tablet, ask your doctor or pharmacist how to safely handle and dispose of the tablet.

It is important to take fenofibrate regularly to get the most benefit.

If you also take cholestyramine (Questran) or colestipol (Colestid), take these medicines at least 1 hour after taking fenofibrate, or 4 to 6 hours before taking fenofibrate. Do not take either of these medicines at the same time you take fenofibrate.

Fenofibrate is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your liver and gallbladder function may also need to be tested. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Store fenofibrate at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the pills in their original container, along with any moisture-absorbing preservative packet that comes with this medicine.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Symptoms of a fenofibrate overdose are not known.

Avoid drinking alcohol while taking fenofibrate. Alcohol can raise triglyceride levels, and may also damage your liver while you are taking fenofibrate.

Fenofibrate has been associated with a rare but serious side effect of the muscles. Contact your doctor at once if you have unusual muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if accompanied by fever or flu-like feeling.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using fenofibrate and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• severe stomach pain;
• nausea, vomiting;
• unusual weakness; or
• fever.

Continue using fenofibrate and talk with your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:

• joint pain;
• indigestion;
• bloating or gas; or
• a rash.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Before taking fenofibrate, talk to your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
• cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune, Gengraf); or
• other cholesterol-lowering medicines such as lovastatin (Mevacor), simvastatin (Zocor), pravastatin (Pravachol), fluvastatin (Lescol), atorvastatin (Lipitor), or cerivastatin (Baycol).

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to take fenofibrate, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect fenofibrate. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Your pharmacist has additional information about fenofibrate written for health professionals that you may read.

Fenofibrate is available with a prescription under the brand names Lipofen, Tricor, and Antara. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.