Fenofibrate: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

What Drug Fenofibrate?

What is Fenofibrate for?

Fenofibrate is a drug used in conjunction with a proper diet with the function of helping to lower "bad" cholesterol and fats (such as LDL, triglycerides) and increase "good" cholesterol (HDL) in the blood. This drug belongs to a group of drugs known as "fibrates." These drugs work by increasing the enzymes that break down fats in the blood. Lowering triglycerides in people with very high blood triglyceride levels can lower the risk of pancreatic disease (pancreatitis). However, Fenofibrate may not lower the risk of heart attack or stroke. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of fenofibrate.
In addition to a proper diet (such as a low cholesterol / low fat diet), other lifestyle changes that can help this drug work better include exercising, drinking less alcohol, losing weight if you are overweight, and quitting smoking. ?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Fenofibrate dosage and fenofibrate side effects are detailed below.

How is Fenofibrate used?

Take this medication as directed by your doctor, usually once daily. Fenofibrate is available in a variety of capsules and tablets which are available in different quantities and may not be interchangeable. Do not switch to another form or brand of this medication unless directed by your doctor. Some forms of this medicine must be taken with food but others can be taken with or without food. Check with your pharmacist about the brand of Fenofibrate you are taking. It is important to use this medicine properly so that it can be of benefit.

Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.

If you are also taking certain other medicines to lower your cholesterol (bile-binding acids such as cholestyramine or colestipol), take Fenofibrate at least 1 hour before or at least 4-6 hours after taking this medicine. These products can react with fenofibrate, and prevent its absorption.

Use this remedy regularly for the most benefit. Remember to use it at the same time every day. It is important to continue taking this medication even if you feel better. Most people with high cholesterol / triglycerides don't feel sick.

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

Follow the rules given by your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How is Fenofibrate stored?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Fenofibrate dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the Fenofibrate dosage for adults?

Usual Adult Dose for Hyperlipoproteinemia Type V (Elevated Chylomicrons + VLDL) : Tricor (R): 48-145 mg orally once a day.

Lofibra (R) and others: 54 mg to 200 mg orally once a day with meals.

Between (R): 43 mg to 130 mg orally once a day.

Tri Glide (R): 50 mg to 160 mg orally once a day.

Lipophen (R): 50 mg to 150 mg orally once a day with meals.

Fenoglide (R): 40 mg to 120 mg orally once a day with meals.

Adjust the dosage according to the patient's response and adjust if necessary followed by lipid administration at 4-8 week intervals.

Usual Geriatric dosage for hyperlipoproteinemia

Tricor (R): 48 mg orally once a day. Increasing the dose should occur only after evaluating the impact on kidney function and fat levels at this dose, with a maximum recommended dose of 145 mg / 24 hours.

Lofibra (R) and others: 54 mg to 67 mg orally once a day with meals. Adjust the dosage according to the patient's response and adjust if necessary followed by lipid administration at 4-8 week intervals.

Between (R): 43 mg orally once a day. Adjust the dosage according to the patient's response and adjust if necessary followed by lipid administration at 4-8 week intervals.

Triglide (R): 50 mg orally once a day. Adjust the dosage according to the patient's response and adjust if necessary followed by lipid administration at 4-8 week intervals.

Lipophen (R): 50 mg orally once a day with meals. Adjust the dosage according to the patient's response and adjust if necessary followed by lipid administration at 4-8 week intervals.

Fenoglide (R): 40 mg to 120 mg orally once a day with meals

What is the dosage of Fenofibrate for children?

In children, the recommended dose is one capsule (67 mg) micronized Fenofibrate / day / 20 kg body weight.

In what dosage is Fenofibrate available?

50 mg: Size of 3 white gelatin opaque capsules printed “G 246” and “50” in black ink.

150 mg: Size 1 white gelatin opaque capsule printed “G 248” and “150” in green ink.

Fenofibrate side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to Fenofibrate?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: nausea, vomiting, sweating, hives, itching, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat. In rare cases, Fenofibrate can cause a condition that causes damage to skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, soreness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual fatigue, and dark colored urine.

Stop using Fenofibrate and call your doctor if you have:

• Severe pain in the upper abdomen spreading to the back, nausea and vomiting, fast heartbeat
• Easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red spots under your skin
• Chest pain, cough suddenly, wheezing, rapid breathing, coughing up blood or
• Pain, swelling, warmth, or redness in one or both legs

Common side effects may include:

• Mild stomach pain
• Back pain
• Headache
• Runny or stuffy nose

Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Fenofibrate Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using Fenofibrate?

Before using fenofibrate,

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to fenofibrate, any other medications, beef products, pork products, or any of the ingredients in injectable Fenofibrate. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a list of ingredients
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist about prescription and nonprescription drugs, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products that you are using or will be using. Be sure to mention the following: anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin (Coumadin); colchicine (Colcrys, in Col-Probenecid); diuretics ('water pills'); beta blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin), labetalol (Normodyne), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), nadolol (Corgard), and propranolol (Inderal); HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (cholesterol-lowering agents) such as atorvastatin (Lipitor), lovastatin (Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol), rosuvastatin (Crestor), and simvastatin (Zocor); hormone replacement therapy; hormonal contraceptives (birth control pills, patches, implants, rings, and injections); and immunosuppressants such as cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral) and tacrolimus (Prograf). Your doctor may need to change the dose of your medication or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• If you are taking bile acid resin such as cholestyramine (Questran), colesevelam (WelChol), or colestipol (Colestid), use them after 1 hour or 4-6 hours before you take fenofibrate.
• Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney, liver, or gallbladder disease. Your doctor will likely tell you not to take fenofibrate
• Tell your doctor if you drink or have had large amounts of alcohol and if you have or have ever had diabetes or hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid gland).
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking fenofibrate, call your doctor
• Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding. You should not breastfeed while you are taking fenofibrate

Is Fenofibrate safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category C according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = Not at risk
• B = No risk in several studies
• C = May be risky
• D = There is positive evidence of risk
• X = Contraindicated
• N = Unknown

There are not adequate studies in women to determine infant risk when using this medicine during breastfeeding. Consider the benefits against the potential risks before taking this medicine while breastfeeding.

Fenofibrate Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with Fenofibrate?

Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this document. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval

Although certain drugs do not have to be used together at once, in other cases two different drugs can be used together even if interactions are possible. In this case, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions that may be needed. When you are taking this medicine it is important for your doctor to know that you are currently taking any of the medicines that are listed below.

The following interactions were chosen because they are based on their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medication with any of the following medicines is not usually recommended, but may be necessary in some cases. If the two drugs are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both drugs.

• Acenocoumarol
• Anisindione
• Apixaban
• Argatroban
• Atorvastatin
• Bivalirudin
• Cerivastatin
• Colchicine
• Dabigatran Etexilate
• Dalteparin
• Danaparoid
• Desirudin
• Dicumarol
• Drotrecogin Alfa
• Enoxaparin
• Fluvastatin
• Fondaparinux
• Fenofibrate
• Lepirudin
• Lovastatin
• Phenindione
• Phenprocoumon
• Pitavastatin
• Pravastatin
• Protein C, Human
• Rivaroxaban
• Rosuvastatin
• Simvastatin
• Tinzaparin
• Warfarin

Using this medication with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If the two drugs are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both drugs.

• Colestipol
• Cyclosporine
• Ezetimibe
• Glimepiride
• Rosiglitazone

Can food or alcohol interact with Fenofibrate?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions may interact with Fenofibrate?

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this drug. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Blood clotting problems (eg deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism), history
• Muscle pain or tenderness, history
• Muscle weakness, or history - Use with caution. It might make things worse
• Diabetes
• Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
• Kidney disease Use with caution. May cause side effects to be worse
• Gall bladder disease, history
• Kidney disease, severe (including those receiving dialysis)
• Liver disease (including cirrhosis)
• Liver enzymes, constantly increasing - Should not be used with this condition

Fenofibrate overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.