How does it work?

Ciprofibrate is a type of medicine known as a fibrate. It lowers the amount of fats (lipids) in the blood. These lipids include cholesterol and triglycerides. Cholesterol is one of the body's fats (lipids). Cholesterol and triglycerides are important building blocks in the structure of cells and are also used in making hormones and producing energy. To some extent, the cholesterol level in blood depends on what you eat but it is mainly dependent on how the body makes cholesterol in the liver. Having too much cholesterol in the blood is not a disease in itself, but can lead to the hardening and narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis). For the sake of simplicity, there are two types of cholesterol; a 'bad' types called low density lipoprotein (LDL) and a 'good' type 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. Ciprofibrate decreases the production of LDL cholesterol and increases the levels of HDL cholesterol. It also decreases the production and increases the breakdown of triglycerides. The overall effect is 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 ciprofibrate.

What is it used for?

High levels of fats such as cholesterol and/or triglycerides in the blood

Warning!

It is recommended that people taking this medicine have regular blood tests to monitor their liver function.

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.

There is insufficient information regarding the safety and efficacy of this medicine in children. It is not recommended for children.

You should should continue eating a cholesterol-lowering diet during treatment with this medicine. Discuss this with your doctor.

Use with caution 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)

Decreased kidney function

Decreased liver function

Hypothyroidism

Low albumin blood levels (hypoalbuminaemia)

Not to be used in

Breastfeeding

Pregnancy

Severely decreased kidney function

Severely decreased liver 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.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Headache

Rash

Diarrhoea

Inability of a man to have an erection (impotence)

Pain in the muscles (myalgia)

Indigestion (dyspepsia)

Hair loss (alopecia)

Alteration in results of liver function tests

Balance problems involving the inner ear (vertigo)

Disease of the muscles (myopathy)

Nausea and vomiting

Scarring and stiffening of the lungs causing breathlessness (pulmonary fibrosis)

Muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis)

Inflammation of the lungs (pneumonitis)

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

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