Precautions and Warnings With Fenofibrate

Specific Precautions and Warnings With Fenofibrate

Some precautions and warnings to be aware while taking fenofibrate include:
 
  • If you are over the age of 65 or have kidney problems, your healthcare provider may choose to start you at a lower dose than normal.
     
  • Fenofibrate can interact with certain medications (see Drug Interactions with Fenofibrate).
     
  • Fenofibrate has been known to cause an increase in liver enzymes. Therefore, it is recommended that you have a blood test that looks at your liver function before starting fenofibrate and then again several months after treatment has started. These tests may also be recommended if the fenofibrate dosage is changed (see Tricor and Liver Problems).
     
  • Fenofibrate can increase the cholesterol content in the bile, leading to gallstones. Your healthcare provider may decide to have you stop taking fenofibrate if gallstones are found in your body.
     
  • Fenofibrate has been associated with the rare but serious condition known as rhabdomyolysis (severe breakdown of muscles). Your risk increases if you are elderly, have kidney disease, or are not being properly treated for hypothyroidism. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you experience any muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if they are accompanied by unexplained tiredness or fever (see Tricor and Muscle Pain).
     
  • Fenofibrate has been shown to cause a decrease in certain blood cells at the beginning of therapy. Your healthcare provider may decide to monitor your blood counts more closely during the first 12 months of your treatment.
     
  • Fenofibrate is considered a pregnancy Category C medicine. This means that fenofibrate may not be safe during pregnancy, although the full risks are currently unknown. If you become pregnant while taking fenofibrate, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
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  • If you are breastfeeding, it is not known whether fenofibrate passes through your milk. However, it has been shown to increase the risk of tumors in nursing animals. Therefore, it is generally recommended that women should not breastfeed while taking fenofibrate.
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD
 
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