Fenofibrate, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antilipidemic (cholesterol-lowering)

Generic and brand names: fenofibrate, oral; Antara; Lofibra; Lipofen; TriCor; Triglide

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to lower LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglycerides (fatty substances) and to increase HDL cholesterol in your blood.

This treatment includes following a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet and exercise program recommended by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• diabetes
• kidney, liver, or gallbladder disease.

Tell your healthcare provider about any other medicines you are taking so that you can avoid medicines that may interfere with this medicine.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I take it?

Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. This medicine will lower your cholesterol level only when you take it regularly. Do not stop taking it until your healthcare provider tells you to.

Take this medicine with a full glass of water. If you are taking TriCor, Triglide, or Antara, you may take the medicine with or without food. If you are taking Lofibra or Lipofen, take the medicine with a meal.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What should I watch out for?

A low-fat diet and regular exercise are important to reduce cholesterol. Follow your healthcare provider's recommendations.

You will probably need to have blood tests every 4 to 8 weeks. These tests check your cholesterol and triglyceride levels and your liver function. This helps your healthcare provider decide if a dosage adjustment is needed. Keep all appointments for tests.

Because alcohol may increase triglyceride levels, do not drink alcohol while you are taking this medicine unless your healthcare provider approves.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider): Chest pain (angina), irregular heartbeat, muscle pain or weakness, dark urine, pale stools, yellowing of the skin or eyes.

Other: Stomach pain, nausea, gas, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, dizziness, back pain, rash, constipation, decreased sex drive, sensitivity to the sun.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin)
• cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral, Gengraf)
• ezetimibe (Zetia)
• cholesterol-lowering medicines (statins) such as atorvastatin (Lipitor), fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol), rosuvastatin (Crestor), and simvastatin (Zocor)
• medicines to treat diabetes such as glyburide (DiaBeta, Micronase), nateglinide (Starlix), repaglinide (Prandin), rosiglitazone (Avandia), tolbutamide, and pioglitazone (Actos)
• other cholesterol medicines such as cholestyramine (Questran, LoCHOLEST, Prevalite), colestipol (Colestid), and colesevelam (WelChol). Take this medicine 1 hour before or 4 to 6 hours after you take any of these medicines.

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.