Lowers fat and harmful cholesterol levels and increases good cholesterol levels in your blood.
Brand Names:
Tricor, Lofibra
Contraindications:
You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to fenofibrate, or if you have liver, kidney, or gallbladder disease.
Uses:
Tablet, Capsule
Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to take and how often. Do not take more medicine or take it more often than your doctor tells you to.
It is best to take this medicine with food or milk.
If a dose is missed:
If you miss a dose or forget to take your medicine, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose.
Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
Storage:
Store the medicine at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.
Special precautions:
Before taking, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart failure or liver disease. tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking, call your doctor
Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin®), cyclosporine (Sandimmune®, Neoral®), other medicine to lower cholesterol (such as Lescol®, Lipitor®, Mevacor®, Pravachol®, Zocor®).
If you also take cholestyramine (Questran®), colestipol (Colestid®), or colesevelam (Welchol™), take your dose of fenofibrate at least 1 hour before or 4 to 6 hours after these other medicines.
Warnings:
Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have diabetes, thyroid problems, or a history of gallstones.
This medicine is only part of a complete program for lowering your cholesterol and triglyceride levels. You will be more successful in treating this problem if you follow all of your doctor's instructions, including eating a low-fat diet and exercising regularly.
Your doctor will need to check your blood or urine at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.
Side Effects:
Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in face or hands, swelling or tingling in the mouth or throat, tightness in chest, trouble breathing
Blistering, peeling, red skin rash
Dark-colored urine or pale stools
Muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if you also have a fever
Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, pain in the upper stomach
Sudden and severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, lightheadedness
