How does it work?

This medicine contains the active ingredient bezafibrate, which is a type of medicine known as a fibrate. It works by reducing the production of fats (lipids) by the liver. These lipids include cholesterol and triglycerides. 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, while HDL actually protects the arteries against this. Bezafibrate decreases the production of LDL cholesterol by blocking the action of the substance (HMG-CoA reductase) in the liver that is normally responsible for cholesterol production. It also decreases the production of other "bad fats" in the blood called triglycerides, by blocking the action of the substance responsible for their production (acetyl-CoA carboxylase). In addition, bezafibrate increases the breakdown of both cholesterol and triglycerides already present in the body, and increases the levels of HDL cholesterol. This results in lowered levels of "bad fats" and raised levels of "good fats". Fibrates have an important role in the prevention of heart disease. They reduce the risk of fats being deposited in the major blood vessels of the heart. Any blockage in the blood vessels limits the amount of blood and therefore oxygen being carried to the heart muscle. In severe cases this can result in a heart attack (myocardial infarction). This medicine is only used when blood lipid levels cannot be lowered by diet and exercise alone. It is important to follow a diet and exercise regime when taking bezafibrate.

What is it used for?

High levels of fats

Warning!

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 it is 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.

The dose of this medicine for use in children has not been established.

Consult your doctor if you experience troublesome pain in the upper part of your stomach, or yellowing of the skin (jaundice) while taking this medicine.

Use with caution in

Decreased kidney function

Not to be used in

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)

Allergy to other medicines of this type (fibrates)

Breastfeeding

Gall bladder disease

Pregnancy

Severe liver disease

Severely decreased kidney function

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, therefore it should not be used by pregnant women. Consult your doctor.

There is no information available about the safety of this medicine during breastfeeding. For this reason, the manufacturer states that it should not be used during breastfeeding. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Label warnings

Take this medication with or after food.

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