fenofibric acid

	What is the most important information I should know about fenofibric acid?
	What is fenofibric acid?
	What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking fenofibric acid?
	How should I take fenofibric acid?
	What happens if I miss a dose?
	What happens if I overdose?
	What should I avoid while taking fenofibric acid?
	What are the possible side effects of fenofibric acid?
	What other drugs will affect fenofibric acid?
	Where can I get more information?
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You should not use fenofibric acid if you have liver disease, gallbladder disease, severe kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis), or if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Before you take fenofibric acid, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, diabetes, or underactive thyroid.

Fenofibric acid is only part of a complete program of treatment that may also include diet, exercise, weight control, and other medications. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.

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

Avoid eating foods that are high in fat or cholesterol. Fenofibric acid will not be as effective in lowering your cholesterol if you do not follow a cholesterol-lowering diet plan.

In rare cases, fenofibric acid can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, nausea or vomiting, and dark colored urine.

Fenofibric acid helps reduce cholesterol and triglycerides (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).

Fenofibric acid is used to treat high cholesterol and high triglyceride levels. It is sometimes given together with other cholesterol-lowering medications.

Fenofibric acid may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not use fenofibric acid if you have:

• severe kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
• liver disease;
• gallbladder disease; or
• if you are breast-feeding a baby.

If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take fenofibric acid:

• kidney disease;
• diabetes; or
• underactive thyroid.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether this medication is harmful to an unborn baby. Before you take fenofibric acid, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

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

Take fenofibric acid exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Take the medicine with a full glass of water.

You may take fenofibric acid with or without food.

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

"Statin" cholesterol-lowering medications may be taken at the same time as fenofibric acid.

Fenofibric acid is only part of a complete program of treatment that may also include diet, exercise, weight control, and other medications. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.

To best treat your condition, use all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Be sure to read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each of your medications. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without advice from your doctor.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition and not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your kidney, liver, and gallbladder function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Store fenofibric acid at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

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 fenofibric acid overdose are not known.

Avoid eating foods that are high in fat or cholesterol. Fenofibric acid will not be as effective in lowering your cholesterol if you do not follow a cholesterol-lowering diet plan.

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

In rare cases, fenofibric acid can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. Stop taking fenofibric acid and call your doctor right away if you have muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, nausea or vomiting, and dark colored urine.

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 taking fenofibric acid and call your doctor at once if you have any of these other serious side effects:

• sharp stomach pain spreading to your back or shoulder blade;
• stomach pain just after eating a meal;
• nausea, vomiting, fever, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• pain or swelling in one or both legs; or
• chest pain, sudden cough, wheezing, rapid breathing, fast heart rate.

Less serious side effects may include:

• headache, dizziness;
• tired feeling;
• joint pain, mild back pain;
• runny or stuffy nose, sore throat; or
• diarrhea, constipation, bloating, indigestion.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:

• cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune, Gengraf); or
• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
• a diuretic (water pill);
• birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy; or
• a beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin), carvedilol (Coreg), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), and others.

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with fenofibric acid. 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 can provide more information about fenofibric acid.