Fenofibrate
Hypolipidaemic/Anti-atheroma · Fibric acid
Indications
Types IIa, IIb, III, IV, V hyperlipidaemia resistant to diet.
Dosage
Adults: Initially 200 mg once daily with food or 3 tab of 67 mg daily. Severe hyperlipidaemia: 267 mg once daily with food. Children: Under 4 yr, not recommended. Hyperlipidaemias including familial hypercholesterolaemia: 4-15 yr, one 67 mg cap/20 kg body-weight, max 4 cap of 67 mg or max 3 cap of 67 mg with concomitant statin daily; 15-18 yr, initially 3 cap of 67 mg daily, increased if necessary to 4 cap of 67 mg daily. max 3 cap of 67 mg daily with concomitant statin.
Adverse Effects
GI upset, skin rashes, headache, fatigue, vertigo, gallstones. Rarely sexual asthaenia, muscle toxicity (discontinue), hepatitis, pancreatitis, alopecia, photosensitivity, interstitial pneumopathies. Increased transaminases and homocysteine.
Risk Factor (Pregnancy/Lactation)
Pregnancy: Contraindicated in pregnancy. Lactation: Contraindicated or not recommended. Contraindications: Severe renal or hepatic dysfunction, gall bladder disease, pancreatitis, photoallergy or phototoxic reactions with fibrates or ketoprofen. Precautions: Monitor liver enzymes, renal impairment. Risk factors for myopathy or rhabdomyolysis. Secondary causes of dyslipidaemia.
Interactions
Anticoagulants, cyclosporin, statins, fibrates, substrates of CYP2C9, CYP2C19 or CYP2A6.
Advice to Patient
Take with meals. Contact prescriber if there are chills, fever, sore throat, severe abdominal disturbances (gas, diarrhoea, constipation, nausea), unusual muscle pain, weakness, skin rash/irritation, swelling and redness in legs, insomnia, shortness of breath, anxiety or constant dizziness. Have laboratory tests done, as directed by prescriber to check drug's effectiveness.
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption: Increased when taken with meals. Metabolism: Fenofibrate: Tissue and plasma. Fenofibric acid (active form): Hepatic or renal. Bioavailability: Fenofibric acid: Approx. 81%. Half-life elimination: Fenofibric acid: Mean: 20 hrs. Time to peak: 2-8 hrs. Excretion: Urine (approx. 60%). Faeces (25%).
Brands with this active ingredient
Compiled by Healify Pharmacy from published drug references. How we compile it →
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