Fenogal (fenofibrate)

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.

- Disturbances of the gut such as diarrhoea, flatulence, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain.
- Headache.
- Fatigue.
- Balance problems involving the inner ear (vertigo).
- Skin reactions such as rash and itch.
- Abnormal reaction of the skin to light, usually a rash, redness or blistering (photosensitivity).
- Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis).
- Abnormal blood clot in a blood vessel, eg in the leg (deep vein thrombosis) or lungs (pulmonary embolism).
- Hair loss (alopecia).
- Sexual problems.
- Alteration in results of liver function tests.
- Gallstones.
- Muscle pain, inflammation, cramps or weakness.
- Muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis).
- Inflammation of the liver (hepatitis).

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.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

It is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medicines while taking this one, to ensure that the combination is safe.

There is an increased risk of side effects on the muscles (myopathy) if fenofibrate is taken in combination with other fibrate medicines, or statins used for lowering cholesterol such as simvastatin. These should be used with caution with fenofibrate. If you are taking another fibrate or a statin in combination with this medicine you should inform your doctor immediately if you experience any muscular symptoms (see warning above).

Fenofibrate increases the anti-blood-clotting effect of anticoagulant medicines such as warfarin, thus increasing the risk of bleeding. For this reason, if you are taking an anticoagulant medicine your doctor may need to decrease your dose when you start taking fenofibrate as well. Your blood clotting time (INR) should be regularly monitored so that your anticoagulant dose can be adjusted as necessary.

If you take fenofibrate in combination with the immunosuppressant medicine ciclosporin, there may be a risk of a decline in your kidney function. For this reason, people taking both these medicines should have their kidney function closely monitored.

Fenofibrate may enhance the blood sugar lowering effects of insulin and sulphonylurea medicines for diabetes, such as glibenclamide or gliclazide. If you are taking one of these medicines to control diabetes, you should be aware that fenofibrate may cause unpredictable drops in your blood sugar and your doctor may need to reduce your dose of antidiabetic medicine.

Other medicines containing the same active ingredient

Lipantil micro

Supralip

Fenofibrate capsules are also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine.

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