FENOFIBRATE

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Tricor, Triglide

GENERIC NAME(S): FENOFIBRATE

Description: Fenofibrate lowers cholesterol and triglycerides by activating lipoprotein lipase, which increases the destruction of VLDL and increase in HDL levels, the good cholesterol.

Pharmacokinetics:

Absorption: Readily absorbed from the GI tract. Increased bioavailabilty w/ food, particularly w/ a high fat meal but is not affected if given as choline salt. Bioavailability: Approx 81% (active metabolite). Time to peak plasma concentration: 2-8 hr.

Distribution: Widely distributed to most tissues. Plasma protein binding: Approx 99% (albumin).

Metabolism: Rapidly hydrolysed to fenofibric acid (active metabolite).

Excretion: Mainly via urine (60% as metabolite); faeces (25%). Elimination half-life: Approx 20 hr.

Uses

Fenofibrate is used along with a proper diet to help lower “bad” cholesterol and fats (such as LDL, triglycerides) and raise “good” cholesterol (HDL) in the blood. In addition to eating a proper diet (such as a low-cholesterol/low-fat diet), other lifestyle changes that may help this medication work better include exercising, losing weight if overweight, and stopping smoking. Consult your doctor for more details.

How to use fenofibrate:

Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually once daily. Fenofibrate comes in different types of capsules and tablets which provide different amounts of the medication. Do not switch between different forms or brands of this medication unless directed by your doctor. Some forms of this drug should be taken with food but others may be taken with or without food. Ask your pharmacist about your brand of fenofibrate. It is important to take this medication correctly so that the drug has the greatest benefit.

The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.

If you are also taking certain other drugs to lower your cholesterol (bile acid-binding resins such as cholestyramine or colestipol), take fenofibrate at least 1 hour before or at least 4 to 6 hours after taking these medications. These medications can bind to fenofibrate, preventing your body from fully absorbing the drug.

Take this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day. Do not increase your dose or use this drug more often or for longer than prescribed. Your cholesterol/triglycerides level will not lower faster, and your risk of side effects will increase. It is important to continue taking this medication even if you feel well. Most people with high cholesterol/triglycerides do not feel sick.

It is very important to continue to follow your doctor’s advice about diet and exercise. It may take up to 2 months before you get the full benefit of this medication.

Warnings

Pregnancy Risk: Category C (Risk cannot be ruled out)

Side Effects

You should check with your doctor immediately if any of these side effects occur when taking fenofibrate:

Less common

Chills or fever
hives, itching, or skin rash
muscle aches and pains
nausea or vomiting

Rare

Chronic indigestion
dark urine
muscle cramps, pain, stiffness, swelling, or weakness
troubled breathing
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness
yellow eyes or skin

Some of the side effects that can occur with fenofibrate may not need medical attention:

More common

Runny nose
sneezing
stuffy nose

Less common

Back pain
diarrhea
eye irritation
gas

increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight

Precautions

Before taking fenofibrate, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other “fibrates” (such as fenofibric acid); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients (such as soy), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney disease, gallbladder disease, liver disease (such as biliary cirrhosis, hepatitis), alcohol use.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

This medication is not recommended for use during pregnancy. It may harm an unborn baby. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk. Because of the possible risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Interactions

Some products that may interact with this drug include: “blood thinners” (such as warfarin).

Fenofibrate is very similar to fenofibric acid. Do not use medications containing fenofibric acid while using fenofibrate.

Overdose & Brands

If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include: severe dizziness, slow heartbeat, severe weakness.

Notes

Do not share this medication with others.

Laboratory and/or medical tests (such as cholesterol/triglyceride levels, kidney/liver function tests, complete blood count) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details. (See also Side Effects section.)

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Storage

Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Different brands of this medication have different storage needs. Check the product package for instructions on how to store your brand, or ask your pharmacist. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.

Brands

Available Brands

Fenoflex [ LR Imperial ]	Fenogal [ SMB ]
Fenolit [ Littman ]	Lipanthyl NT 145 mg/Lipanthyl Supra 160 mg/Lipanthyl 67M [Abbott ]
Lipiduce [ Unison ]	Lipway SR [ Cathay Drug ]
Lofibra [ OEP Phils ]	Nubrex [ Sandoz ]
Trolip [ Gracio Med ]	Zinof 200 [ ACME ]

Also marketed as

Fenofast [ XL Lab ]	Fibrafen 200M [ Patriot ]
Fibril [ Apotex ]