How does it work?

This medicine contains the active ingredient fenofibrate, which is a type of medicine called a fibrate. It works by decreasing the amount of fats (lipids) in the blood. 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. Fenofibrate increases the breakdown of LDL cholesterol and other 'bad fats' in the blood called triglycerides. It also 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 fenofibrate.

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.

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

You should have blood tests to monitor your liver function every three months for the first 12 months of treatment with this medicine.

If your doctor considers that an adequate response has not been achieved within three months of treatment with this medicine, your doctor may ask you to stop taking this medicine.

Consult your doctor if you develop unexplained nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, darkened urine or yellowing of the eyes or skin (jaundice), as these may be signs of liver problems.

The Supralip 160, Lipantil micro 200, Lipantil micro 267 and Fenogal brands of fenofibrate are not suitable for children or people with decreased kidney function, as they contain too high a dose of the medicine for these groups of people.

Use with caution in

Current or previous decrease in kidney function

History of muscle disease

Hypothyroidism

Low albumin blood levels (hypoalbuminaemia)

Not to be used in

Breastfeeding

Gall bladder disease

Liver damage occurring due to disorder of the bile duct (biliary cirrhosis)

People who have had skin reactions to UV light during treatment with fibrates or ketoprofen

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.

Label warnings

Take this medication with or after food.

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