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Fenofibrate - Learn about Fenofibrate Side Effects and Precautions

Fenofibrate Information

The pharmacology action of Fenofibrate is that it mechanism not well established. Apparently decreases plasma levels of triglycerides by decreasing their synthesis. Also reduces plasma levels of VLDL cholesterol by reducing their release into the circulation and increasing catabolism. Reduces serum uric acid levels by increasing urinary excretion of uric acid.

Fenofibrate is used in adjunctive therapy to diet for treatment of hypertriglyceridemia in adult patients with type 4 or 5 hyperlipidemia; adjunctive therapy to diet for the reduction of LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and apolipoprotein B, and to increase HDL cholesterol in adults with primary hypercholesterolemia or mixed dyslipidemia (Fredrickson types IIa and IIb).

Interaction and Contraindication of Fenofibrate

Interaction of Fenofibrate - Bile acid sequestrants (eg, cholestyramine):  Reduces absorption of fenofibrate.
Cyclosporine (eg, Sandimmune ):  Increases risk of nephrotoxicity.
HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (eg, lovastatin):  Increased risk of severe myopathy, rhabdomyolysis, and acute renal failure.
Oral anticoagulants (eg, warfarin):  Anticoagulant effect may be increased

Contraindication of Fenofibrate - Hepatic or severe renal dysfunction, including primary biliary cirrhosis; patients with unexplained persistent liver function abnormality; preexisting gallbladder disease; hypersensitivity to fenofibrate Standard considerations.

Side Effects of Fenofibrate

Here are the list of some common side effects of Fenofibrate :

• Arrhythmia; atrial fibrillation; extrasystoles.
• Headache (3%); asthenia (2%).
• Abdominal pain (5%); constipation, diarrhea, nausea (2%).
• Agranulocytosis; eosinophilia; leukopenia; mild to moderate hemoglobin, hematocrit, and WBC decreases; thrombocytopenia
• Rash, urticaria (1%); Stevens-Johnson syndrome; toxic epidermal necrolysis

Precaution and Warning while taking Fenofibrate

The precaution and warnings of Fenofibrate drug is as follows:

• Advise patient to take each dose with food to increase absorption ( Lofibra and Antara   ) and lipid-lowering effectiveness.
• Advise patient who also is taking a bile acid resin (eg, cholestyramine) to take the fenofibrate 1 hr before or 4 to 6 hr after the resin.
• Advise patient to try to take each dose at about the same time each day.
• Inform patient that drug helps control, but not does cure, lipid abnormality and to continue taking drug as prescribed if lipid levels are lowered.
• Caution patient not to change the dose or stop taking the medicine unless advised by health care provider.
• Advise patient if a dose is missed to take as soon as remembered, but to never take more than 1 dose of fenofibrate a day.
• Instruct patient to continue taking other cholesterol-lowering medications as prescribed by health care provider.
• Emphasize to patient importance of dietary changes (reduced saturated fat intake, increase soluble fiber intake, weight control, regular exercise, smoking cessation) on cholesterol control.
• Advise women of childbearing potential to notify health care provider if pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

How to store Fenofibrate

• May be used alone or in combination with other lipid-lowering therapy.
• Administer prescribed dose with food to increase absorption with Lofibra and Antara   .
• Administer prescribed dose 1 hr before or 4 to 6 hr after a bile acid sequestrant (eg, cholestyramine).
• Store Tricor tablets and Antara capsules at controlled room temperature (59° to 86°F). Store Lofibra   capsules at controlled room temperature (68° to 77°F). Protect from moisture