Fenofibrate is used together with a proper diet to reduce and treat high cholesterol and triglyceride (fat-like substances) levels in the blood. This may help prevent the development of pancreatitis (inflammation or swelling of the pancreas) caused by high levels of triglycerides in the blood.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Use this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of it, do not use it more often, or do not use it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

In addition to this medicine, your doctor may change your diet to one that is low in fat, sugar, and cholesterol. Carefully follow your doctor's order about any special diet for this medicine to work well. If you have excess body weight, your doctor may tell you to exercise to lose this weight before using this medicine. Also avoid drinking alcohol before and during treatment with fenofibrate.

This medicine is usually taken once a day. Take the medicine at the same time each day to maintain the medication's effect.

Fenoglide®, Lipofen®, Lofibra™, and Tricor® should be taken with a meal. Antara® and Triglide® can be taken with or without a meal.

Swallow Antara® capsules, Tricor® tablets, or Triglide® tablets whole. Do not open, crush, break, chew, or dissolve them. Do not take chipped or broken Triglide® tablets.

If you are also using cholestyramine, colesevelam, or colestipol, you must take Triglide® at least 1 hour before or 4 to 6 hours after you take these medicines.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

Chills

fever

hives, itching, or skin rash

muscle aches and pains

nausea

stomach pain

vomiting

Rare

Chronic indigestion

dark urine

muscle cramps, spasms, stiffness, swelling, or weakness

troubled breathing

unusual bleeding or bruising

unusual tiredness or weakness

yellow eyes or skin

Incidence not known

Agitation

bloating

bloody urine

constipation

decreased frequency or amount of urine

difficulty in moving

fast heartbeat

general tiredness and weakness

increased blood pressure

increased thirst

indigestion

joint pain or swelling

light-colored stools

loss of appetite

lower back or side pain

pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back

pale skin

swelling of the face, fingers, or lower legs

troubled breathing with exertion

upper right abdominal or stomach pain

weight gain

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Runny nose

sneezing

stuffy nose

Less common

Back pain

diarrhea

eye irritation

gas

increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight

Incidence not known

Lack or loss of strength

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly to lower your cholesterol and triglyceride (fat) levels and to decide if you should continue to take it. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Check with your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if you also have unusual tiredness or fever. These could be symptoms of a serious muscle problem called myopathy.

Check with your doctor right away if you have dark urine, diarrhea, fever, muscle cramps or spasms, muscle pain or stiffness, or feel very tired or weak. These could be symptoms of a serious muscle problem called rhabdomyolysis, which can cause kidney problems.

Pancreatitis may occur while you are using this medicine. Tell your doctor right away if you have sudden and severe stomach pain, chills, constipation, nausea, vomiting, fever, or lightheadedness.

Check with your doctor right away if you have pain or tenderness in the upper stomach, pale stools, dark urine, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, or yellow eyes or skin. These could be symptoms of a serious liver problem.

This medicine may increase your risk of having gallstones. Check with your doctor right away if you have severe stomach pain with nausea and vomiting.

This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis and angioedema, which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, hoarseness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth after using this medicine.

Serious skin reactions can occur with this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms while using this medicine: blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, chills, diarrhea, itching, joint or muscle pain, rash, red skin lesions, often with a purple center, sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

This medicine may lower the number of some types of blood cells in your body. Because of this, you may bleed or get infections more easily. To help with these problems, avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Wash your hands often. Stay away from rough sports or other situations where you could be bruised, cut, or injured. Brush and floss your teeth gently. Be careful when using sharp objects, including razors and fingernail clippers.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.