Fenofibrate is used along with diet and exercise to help control levels of blood fats. It can help lower "bad" cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides and raise "good" cholesterol (HDL). In general, this drug is used after your blood fat levels have not been fully controlled by non-drug treatments (e.g., diet changes, exercise, decreasing alcohol intake, weight loss if overweight, and controlling blood sugar if diabetic).

Lowering "bad" cholesterol and triglycerides may help decrease the risk for strokes and heart attacks. Fenofibrate is a lipid-lowering agent (fibrate). It works by increasing the natural substance (enzyme) that breaks down fats in the blood.

Take this medication by mouth, usually once daily or as directed by your doctor. Fenofibrate comes in capsules and different types of tablets. These dosage forms are not interchangeable. Do not switch between different forms or brands of this medication without talking with your doctor because they may not provide the same amount of medication. Some forms of this drug should be taken with food while some may be taken with or without food. It is important to take this medication correctly to be sure the drug has the greatest benefit. Check with your pharmacist about your brand of fenofibrate.

Swallow the tablet whole. Do not take broken or chipped tablets.

Take fenofibrate at least 1 hour before or 4-6 hours after certain other cholesterol-lowering medications (bile acid-binding resin drugs such as colestipol/cholestyramine). These products can react with fenofibrate, preventing its full absorption.

Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. Remember to use it at the same time each day. It is important to continue taking this medication even if you feel well. Most people with high cholesterol/triglycerides do not feel sick.

It is very important to continue to follow your doctor's advice about diet and exercise. It may take up to 2 months to get the full benefits of this drug.

Upset stomach and constipation may occur. If these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

This medication may infrequently cause gallstones and liver problems. If you notice any of the following unlikely but very serious side effects, tell your doctor immediately: persistent nausea/vomiting, severe stomach/intestinal pain, dark urine, yellowing eyes/skin.

This drug may infrequently cause muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness (which can rarely lead to a very serious condition called rhabdomyolysis). Seek immediate medical attention if you develop these muscle problems (especially with fever or unusual tiredness). This side effect is more likely if you are also taking a "statin" (e.g., atorvastatin, pravastatin) to lower your cholesterol.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: easy bleeding/bruising, black/tarry stool, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, signs of infection (e.g., fever, persistent sore throat), change in amount of urine, chest pain, pain/redness/swelling of arms or legs.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before taking fenofibrate, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other "fibrates" (e.g., gemfibrozil); or if you have any other allergies. Some Canadian brands of this medication may contain ingredients that come from a soybean source. If you are allergic to soybeans/peanuts, check with your pharmacist about your particular brand.

This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: gallbladder disease, liver disease (e.g., biliary cirrhosis, hepatitis).

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: alcohol use, diabetes, kidney disease, history of muscle problems (e.g., myopathy), underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism).

Kidney function declines as you grow older. This medication is removed by the kidneys. Therefore, elderly people may be more sensitive to the effects of this drug, especially muscle problems.

This medication is not recommended for use during pregnancy. It may harm an unborn baby. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

See also How to Use section.

Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially: "blood thinners" (e.g., warfarin), ezetimibe, drugs which can increase triglycerides (e.g., beta blockers, certain "water pills" such as thiazide diuretics, estrogens), drugs that may be harmful to the kidneys (e.g., cyclosporine, injectable aminoglycosides such as tobramycin, NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, vancomycin).

Use caution if the following drugs are combined with fenofibrate because serious side effects such as muscle injury (myopathy) infrequently could occur: "statins" (e.g., lovastatin, pravastatin), high-dose niacin (1 gram or more per day).

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.

Do not share this medication with others.

Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., kidney/liver tests, blood count, lipid levels) may be performed to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

For best results, this medication should be used along with a low saturated fat/low cholesterol diet, exercise, and weight control. Consult your doctor about other ways to lower your heart disease risk.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Storage temperature ranges differ according to different manufacturers, so consult your pharmacist for more information. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Store the tablets in the original bottle with the desiccant to protect against moisture. Discard any broken or chipped tablets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Information last revised March 2009 Copyright(c) 2009 First DataBank, Inc.