fenofibrate at a glance
Medicine class
Fibrate lipid-modifying treatment
Main role
Managing severe hypertriglyceridaemia and selected mixed lipid disorders
Administration
Swallow the prescribed tablet or capsule whole during a meal
Follow-up
Blood fats, liver function and kidney function require monitoring
What is fenofibrate used for?
Licensed uses are alongside diet and measures such as exercise and weight reduction.
Severe hypertriglyceridaemia, with or without low HDL cholesterol.
Mixed hyperlipidaemia when a statin is contraindicated or not tolerated.
Mixed hyperlipidaemia in people at high cardiovascular risk, added to a statin when triglycerides and HDL cholesterol remain inadequately controlled.
Some UK specialist services use fenofibrate off-label to slow diabetic retinopathy progression in people with type 2 diabetes.
How does fenofibrate work?
Fenofibrate is converted to fenofibric acid, which activates PPAR-alpha. This increases the breakdown and clearance of triglyceride-rich particles and affects proteins involved in HDL metabolism.
fenofibrate preparations and strengths
Capsule
Route: Oral
Strengths: 200 mg, 267 mg
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 160 mg
How to take fenofibrate
Follow the instructions for the prescribed product because formulations differ. Swallow the selected tablets or capsules whole during a meal; do not crush, chew or open them. Continue agreed dietary and lifestyle measures.
Check the pack because formulations and excipients can differ.
Do not substitute another formulation without confirmation from a prescriber or pharmacist.
fenofibrate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Abdominal discomfort or pain
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Wind
- Raised liver enzymes on blood testing
- Raised blood homocysteine
Get urgent medical advice
- Allergic swelling or breathing difficulty
- Muscle inflammation or breakdown, causing unexplained pain, tenderness or weakness
- Pancreatitis, which may cause severe abdominal pain
- Hepatitis or jaundice
- Gallstones or gallbladder complications
- Blood clots in the lung or leg
- Severe blistering or peeling skin reaction
fenofibrate in pregnancy
Human pregnancy data are inadequate and the potential risk is uncertain. Fenofibrate should be considered only after a clinician assesses the expected benefits and risks. Contact the prescriber when planning pregnancy or if pregnancy occurs.
fenofibrate while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether fenofibrate or its metabolites enter human milk, and an effect on the infant's lipid metabolism cannot be excluded. The selected products state that fenofibrate should not be used while breastfeeding; discuss an alternative treatment or feeding plan with the prescriber.
fenofibrate interactions
Important interactions include treatments that increase bleeding, muscle toxicity or kidney impairment.
Warfarin and other oral anticoagulants
Fenofibrate can enhance anticoagulation and increase bleeding risk, requiring closer INR monitoring and possible anticoagulant adjustment.
Statins
Combined use increases muscle-toxicity risk and requires careful selection and monitoring for muscle symptoms.
Other fibrates
Combining fibrates increases the risk of serious muscle toxicity.
Common questions about fenofibrate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Can fenofibrate be taken with a statin?
Sometimes, for selected people at high cardiovascular risk whose triglycerides and HDL remain inadequately controlled. The combination increases muscle-toxicity risk and requires monitoring.
Why should fenofibrate be taken with food?
Food improves absorption of the selected formulations. Swallow their tablets or capsules whole during a meal.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.