What is fenofibrate? 

Fenofibrate helps reduce cholesterol and triclygerides  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 cholesterol and high triglyceride levels. It is used in combination with a diet low in cholesterol and saturated fat.

Fenofibrate may also be used for purposes other than those listed. 

Important information about 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 this medication. 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. 

Before taking fenofibrate 

You  should not use fenofibrate if you have: 

• hepatitis or cirrhosis of the liver; 
• severe kidney disease; or 
• gallbladder disease. 
• If you have any of these other conditions, you may need  a dose adjustment or special tests  to safely take fenofibrate: 
• liver disease; 
• kidney disease; 
• hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid gland); or 
• diabetes. 

FDA pregnancy category C.  It is not known whether fenofibrate is harmful to an unborn baby. Before taking this medication, 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 this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. 

How should I take fenofibrate? 

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. Follow the directions on your prescription label. 

Take each dose with a full glass of water. 

Some brands of  fenofibrate should be taken with meals to help your body better absorb the medicine. Other brands may be taken with or without food. Follow the directions on your medicine label. 

Do not take a fenofibrate tablet that has been accidentally chipped or broken. 

It is important to take  this medication 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 this medication  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. 

What happens if I miss a dose? 

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. 

What happens if I overdose? 

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

What should I avoid while taking fenofibrate? 

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

Fenofibrate side effects 

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.

Less serious fenofibrate side effects may include: 

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

What other drugs will affect fenofibrate? 

The following drugs can interact with fenofibrate. Tell your doctor if you are using any of these 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 this medication. 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. 

Where can I get more information? 

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about fenofibrate. 

What does my medication look like? 

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. 

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed. 
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. 

Notes: FCbinderMD

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EditText of this page (last edited May 6, 2010)