Fenofibrate
Brand names: ANTARA, Antara, Fenofibric Acid, Fenofibric acid, Fenoglide, LIPOFEN, Lofibra, TRICOR, TRIGLIDE, Tricor, Triglide, Fenofibrate, FENOFIBRATE, fenofibrate, Lipofen
Warnings
No boxed warning. Contraindicated in "severe renal impairment, including those with end-stage renal disease," "active liver disease," "pre-existing gallbladder disease," and known hypersensitivity to fenofibrate or fenofibric acid. Major warnings include risk of "serious drug-induced liver injury, including liver transplantation and death"; "myopathy and rhabdomyolysis," particularly with concomitant statin use or renal impairment; increased serum creatinine; cholelithiasis; pancreatitis; venous thromboembolism; and potentiated anticoagulant effect with coumarin-type drugs requiring dose adjustment and monitoring.
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Fenofibrate is contraindicated in patients with: • Severe renal impairment, including those with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and those receiving dialysis [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . • Active liver disease, including those with unexplained persistent liver function abnormalities [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] . • Pre-existing gallbladder disease [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] . • Hypersensitivity to fenofibrate, fenofibric acid, or any of the excipients in fenofibrate tablets. Serious hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis and angioedema have been reported with fenofibrate [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.9 )] . • Severe renal impairment, including those with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and those receiving dialysis ( 4 ). • Active liver disease including those with unexplained persistent liver function abnormalities ( 4 ). • Pre-existing gallbladder disease ( 4 ). • Hypersensitivity to fenofibrate, fenofibric acid, or any of the excipients in fenofibrate ( 4 ).
Overdose
10 OVERDOSAGE In the event of an overdose of fenofibrate, consider contacting the Poison Help line (1-800- 222-1222) or a medical toxicologist for additional overdosage management recommendations. There is no specific treatment for overdose with fenofibrate. General supportive care of the patient is indicated, including monitoring of vital signs and observation of clinical status, should an overdose occur. If indicated, elimination of unabsorbed drug should be achieved by emesis or gastric lavage; usual precautions should be observed to maintain the airway. Because fenofibric acid is highly bound to plasma proteins, hemodialysis should not be considered.
Drug interactions
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Table 2 presents clinically important drug interactions with Fenofibrate. Table 2: Clinically Important Drug Interactions with Fenofibrate Statins Clinical Impact: Fibrates may cause myopathy when given alone. The risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis is increased with concomitant use of fibrates with statins. Intervention: Consider if the benefit of using fenofibrate concomitantly with statin therapy outweighs the increased risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. If concomitant use is decided, monitor patients for signs and symptoms of myopathy, particularly during initiation of therapy and during upward dosage titration of statin therapy. Colchicine Clinical Impact : Cases of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis have been reported with concomitant use of colchicine with fenofibrates. Intervention: Consider if the benefit of using colchicine concomitantly with fenofibrate outweighs the increased risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. If concomitant use is decided, monitor patients for signs and symptoms of myopathy, particularly during initiation of therapy and during upward dosage titration of colchicine. Coumarin Anticoagulants Clinical Impact : Fibrates may cause potentiation of coumarin-type anticoagulant effects with prolongation of the PT/INR. Intervention: Caution should be exercised when coumarin anticoagulants are given in conjunction with fenofibrate. The dosage of the anticoagulants should be reduced to maintain the PT/INR at the desired level to prevent bleeding complications. Frequent PT/INR determinations are advisable until it has been definitely determined that the PT/INR has stabilized Immunosuppressants Clinical Impact : Immunosuppressants such as cyclosporine and tacrolimus can produce nephrotoxicity with decreases in creatinine clearance and rises in serum creatinine, and because renal excretion is the primary elimination route of fibrate drugs including fenofibrate, there is a risk that an interaction will lead to deterioration of renal function. Intervention: The benefits and risks of using fenofibrate with immunosuppressants and other potentially nephrotoxic agents should be carefully considered, and the lowest effective dosage employed and renal function monitored. Bile-Acid Binding Resins Clinical Impact : Bile-acid binding resins may bind other drugs given concurrently. Intervention: In patients taking a bile acid resin, administer fenofibrate at least 1 hour before or 4 to 6 hours after the bile acid resin to avoid impeding its absorption. • Consider if the benefit of concomitant use of statins or colchicine outweighs the increased risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of myopathy ( 7 ). • Exercise caution in concomitant treatment with coumarin anticoagulants. Reduce the dosage of coumarin to maintain the PT/INR at the desired level to prevent bleeding complications ( 7 ). • Consider the benefits and risks of concomitant use with immunosuppressants and other potentially nephrotoxic agents. Use the lowest effective dosage and monitor renal function ( 7 ). • Administer fenofibrate at least 1 hour before or 4 to 6 hours after a bile acid resin to avoid impeding its absorption ( 7 ).
Uses
Fenofibrate is indicated as adjunctive therapy to diet to reduce "triglyceride (TG) levels in adult patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia (TG greater than or equal to 500 mg/dL)" and to reduce elevated "low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)" in adults with primary hyperlipidemia when statin therapy is not appropriate. The label includes an important limitation of use: "Fenofibrate did not reduce coronary heart disease morbidity and mortality in two large, randomized controlled trials of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus."
Dosage forms & strengths
All identified pills
MYLAN 6088
ORANGE;PINK CAPSULE · Fenofibrate
OL355
WHITE OVAL · Fenofibrate
2 manufacturers
OL356
WHITE OVAL · Fenofibrate
RG78
WHITE CAPSULE · Fenofibrate
RG79
WHITE CAPSULE · Fenofibrate
2 manufacturers
RH37
WHITE OVAL · Fenofibrate
2 manufacturers
RH38
WHITE OVAL · Fenofibrate
5 manufacturers
RP 067
PINK CAPSULE · Fenofibrate
2 manufacturers
RP 200
ORANGE CAPSULE · Fenofibrate
2 manufacturers
RP 134
BLUE CAPSULE · Fenofibrate
3 manufacturers
RX900
WHITE OVAL · Fenofibrate
5 manufacturers
RX901
WHITE OVAL · Fenofibrate
15 manufacturers
T 16
WHITE OVAL · Fenofibrate
4 manufacturers
T 17
YELLOW OVAL · Fenofibrate
7 manufacturers
TC
WHITE ROUND · Fenofibrate
TWi T109
YELLOW;BROWN CAPSULE · Fenofibrate
TWi T112
YELLOW;BLUE CAPSULE · Fenofibrate
ap FEN67
PINK CAPSULE · Fenofibrate
ap FEN200
ORANGE CAPSULE · Fenofibrate
ap FEN134
BLUE CAPSULE · Fenofibrate
Side effects
In controlled trials, reactions occurring in at least 2% of patients and more often than placebo included "abnormal liver tests" (8% vs 1%), "increased AST" (3% vs 1%), "increased ALT" (3% vs 2%), "increased creatine phosphokinase" (3% vs 1%), and "rhinitis" (2% vs 1%). Other reported effects include headache, back pain, and gastrointestinal complaints such as nausea and constipation.