Fenofibrate (patient information)

Why this medication is prescribed

Fenofibrate is used with diet changes (restriction of cholesterol and fat intake) to reduce the amount of cholesterol and triglycerides (fatty substances) in your blood. Accumulation of cholesterol and fats along the walls of your arteries (a process known as atherosclerosis) decreases blood flow and, therefore, the oxygen supply to your heart, brain, and other parts of your body. Lowering your blood level of cholesterol and fats may help to prevent heart disease, angina (chest pain), strokes, and heart attacks.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How this medication should be used

Fenofibrate comes as a capsule to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day with a meal. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take fenofibrate exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Continue to take fenofibrate even if you feel well. Do not stop taking fenofibrate without talking to your doctor.

Special precautions

Before taking fenofibrate:

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to fenofibrate or any other drugs.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin); HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (cholesterol-lowering agents) such as lovastatin (Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol), and simvastatin (Zocor); cholestyramine (Questran); cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral); and vitamins or herbal products.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart disease, gallbladder disease, or liver or kidney disease.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking fenofibrate, call your doctor.

Special dietary instructions

Eat a low-cholesterol, low-fat diet, which includes cottage cheese, fat-free milk, fish, vegetables, poultry, egg whites, and polysaturated oils and margarines (such as corn, safflower, canola, and soybean oils). Avoid foods with excess fat in them, such as meat (especially liver and fatty meat), egg yolks, whole milk, cream, butter, shortening, pastries, cakes, cookies, gravy, peanut butter, chocolate, olives, potato chips, coconut, cheese (other than cottage cheese), coconut oil, palm oil, and fried foods.

What to do if you forget a dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Side Effects

Minor Side Effects

Fenofibrate may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• gas
• headache
• stomach pain
• upset stomach
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• constipation
• fatigue
• runny nose

Severe Side Effects

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• weakness
• muscle pain or tenderness
• joint pain
• rash
• infection
• flu-like symptoms

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

Storage conditions needed for this medication

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

In case of emergency/overdose

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Other information

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain laboratory tests to check your response to fenofibrate.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

Brand names

• Lofibra
• TriCor