Bezalip mono

For the sake of simplicity, there are two sorts of cholesterol; a 'bad' sort called low density lipoprotein (LDL) and a 'good' sort called high density lipoprotein (HDL). LDL is deposited in the arteries and increases the risk of heart disease by clogging and narrowing the arteries (atherosclerosis), while HDL actually protects the arteries against this.

Triglycerides are another type of 'bad fat' that increase the risk of hardened arteries.

Bezafibrate works mainly by stimulating the action of two enzymes that breakdown triglycerides. These are called lipoprotein lipase (found in muscle and fat tissue) and hepatic lipase (found in the liver). Stimulating these enzymes increases the breakdown of triglycerides in the blood. Bezafibrate also decreases the production of triglycerides by the liver. As a result of both these actions, bezafibrate lowers the levels of triglycerides in the blood.

In addition, bezafibrate decreases the production of LDL cholesterol by the liver, which causes the liver cells to take up excess LDL cholesterol from the blood. It also increases levels of HDL cholesterol. The overall effect is lowered levels of "bad fats" and raised levels of "good fats" in the blood.

Fibrates have an important role in the prevention of coronary heart disease. They reduce the risk of excess cholesterol and triglycerides being deposited in the major blood vessels of the heart (atherosclerosis). Atherosclerosis limits the amount of blood and therefore oxygen being carried to the heart muscle. This can cause chest pain (angina) and in severe cases can result in a heart attack (myocardial infarction).

Fibrates are used to lower triglycerides and cholesterol in people who have high levels either due to genetics or as a result of diet and lifestyle. This helps to reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, angina and heart attacks (coronary heart disease).

It is important to continue to follow a cholesterol-lowering diet and exercise regime while taking bezafibrate. Discuss this with your doctor.

Bezalip mono tablets are modified-release tablets. They are designed to release the bezafibrate slowly and continuously over the day, so that only one dose needs to taken each day. The tablets must be swallowed whole to avoid damaging the modified-release action.

What is it used for?

- High levels of fats

Warning!

- Bezalip mono tablets should be swallowed whole with liquid after a meal, either at night or in the morning. The tablets should not be broken, chewed or crushed.
- This medicine may cause dizziness. If affected you should take care when driving or operating machinary.
- If you have any problems with your kidneys your kidney function should be regularly monitored while you are taking this medicine.
- This medicine may very rarely have side effects on the muscles. For this reason you should inform your doctor immediately if you experience any muscular symptoms such as pain, tenderness, cramps, or weakness while taking this medicine, particularly if accompanied by a fever or feeling generally unwell. Your doctor may need to check for side effects on the muscles by taking a blood test to measure the level of a compound called creatinine kinase in your blood. If this is the case, the test should not be done following strenuous exercise.
- This medicine may rarely cause gallstones. For this reason, you should let your doctor if you experience troublesome pain in the upper part of your stomach, or any yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes (jaundice) while taking this medicine.

Use with caution in

- Decreased liver function
- Hormone disturbances
- Underactive thyroid gland
- Disturbance in the levels of salts (electrolytes such as sodium and potassium) in the blood
- People who drink large amounts of alcohol
- Severe infections or injuries

Not to be used in

- Allergy to other medicines of this type (fibrates)
- Severe liver disease
- Decreased kidney function (the dose of bezafibrate in Bezalip mono tablets is too high for people with kidney problems)
- People needing dialysis for kidney failure
- A syndrome caused by kidney inflammation, characterised by a large amount of protein in the urine, swelling, weight gain and high blood pressure (nephrotic syndrome)
- Gall bladder disease
- Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding.
- This medicine is not recommended for use in children.

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

- The safety of this medicine during pregnancy has not been established. It should not be taken by pregnant women unless considered essential by your doctor. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
- It is not known if this medicine passes into breast milk. For this reason, the manufacturer states that it should not be used by women who are breastfeeding, unless considered essential by your doctor. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Label warnings

- Take this medication with or after food.
- This medication is to be swallowed whole, not chewed.

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