How should this medicine be used?
Fenofibrate comes as a capsule to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day with a meal. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take fenofibrate exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Continue to take fenofibrate even if you feel well. Do not stop taking fenofibrate without talking to your doctor.
What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking fenofibrate,
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to fenofibrate or any other drugs.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially anticoagulants (''blood thinners'') such as warfarin (Coumadin); HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (cholesterol-lowering agents) such as lovastatin (Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol), and simvastatin (Zocor); cholestyramine (Questran); cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral); and vitamins or herbal products.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart disease, gallbladder disease, or liver or kidney disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking fenofibrate, call your doctor.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Eat a low-cholesterol, low-fat diet, which includes cottage cheese, fat-free milk, fish, vegetables, poultry, egg whites, and polysaturated oils and margarines (such as corn, safflower, canola, and soybean oils). Avoid foods with excess fat in them, such as meat (especially liver and fatty meat), egg yolks, whole milk, cream, butter, shortening, pastries, cakes, cookies, gravy, peanut butter, chocolate, olives, potato chips, coconut, cheese (other than cottage cheese), coconut oil, palm oil, and fried foods.
What should I do if I forget a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
What side effects can this medication cause?
Although side effects from fenofibrate are not common, they can occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- gas
- headache
- stomach pain
- upset stomach
- dizziness or lightheadedness
- constipation
- fatigue
- runny nose
If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
- weakness
- muscle pain or tenderness
- joint pain
- rash
- infection
- flu-like symptoms
What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
In case of emergency/overdose
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
What other information should I know?
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain laboratory tests to check your response to fenofibrate.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
