Fenofibrate Side Effects

Brand Names: Triglide, Lipofen, Lofibra, Antara

Please note - some side effects for Fenofibrate may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/ or 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088).

Side Effects of Fenofibrate - for the Consumer

Fenofibrate

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Fenofibrate:

Headache; nausea.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; chills or sore throat; coughing; dark urine; fever; muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness; pale stools; red, swollen, blistered or peeling skin; severe or persistent dizziness or lightheadedness; severe or persistent nausea, stomach pain, or vomiting; severe pain or swelling in the ankles, feet, or legs; shortness of breath; unusual bruising or bleeding; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

Fenofibrate Side Effects - for the Professional

Fenofibrate

The most common adverse reactions (> 2% and at least 1% greater than placebo) are abnormal liver tests, increased AST, increased ALT, increased CPK, and rhinitis (6.1).

Side Effects by Body System

General

Body as a whole effects probably related to fenofibrate or where causality has not yet been established include weight loss and fever.

General total body symptoms have included asthenia/fatigue or flu-like symptoms (5%) and infection (18%). During clinical studies, 6% of patients discontinued fenofibrate because of drug-related adverse effects. The most common reason for discontinuation of fenofibrate was skin rash in 2% of patients.

Hepatic

In clinical studies, 6% of patients receiving 134 mg to 200 mg fenofibrate daily experienced transaminase levels greater than 3 times the upper limits of normal. No such incidences occurred in patients receiving dosages of 34 mg to 67 mg daily. Hepatotoxicity can occur following weeks or years of therapy and is dose related. Cirrhosis associated with chronic active hepatitis has been reported.

Hepatic side effects have included significant increases in serum transaminase levels.

Musculoskeletal

Musculoskeletal side effects have included arthralgias (3%). In addition, the use of fibrate derivatives, including fenofibrate occasionally has been associated with myositis. Rhabdomyolysis has occurred rarely and generally in association with impaired renal function. Myopathy should be considered in the presence of symptoms of diffuse myalgias, muscle tenderness or weakness, and/or significant increase in serum creatine kinase. Combination therapy with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors may increase the potential for myositis. Elevations in serum creatinine have also been associated with fenofibrate therapy.

Patients should be instructed to report symptoms of muscle pain, weakness, or tenderness. If such symptoms develop, creatine kinase should be measured, and, if elevated, fenofibrate should be discontinued.

Gemfibrozil is associated with a higher incidence of myotoxicity (i.e., rhabdomyolysis) than fenofibrate when used in combination with any HMG CoA reductase inhibitor (statin). Fenofibrate is primarily metabolized by glucuronidation, whereas gemfibrozil undergoes extensive oxidative metabolism which results in higher plasma levels of statins. This pharmacokinetic difference may account for the differences in the rates of myotoxicity.

A patient with auto-immune thyroiditis induced hypothyroidism developed acute renal failure secondary to simvastatin/fenofibrate combination therapy induced rhabdomyolysis. Following discontinuation of simvastatin/fenofibrate therapy and thyroid replacement, symptoms (i.e., muscle pain, oliguria) resolved and renal function returned to normal within 14 days.

Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal side effects having occurred during fenofibrate therapy where causality has not yet been established have included hematemesis.

Gastrointestinal side effects included dyspepsia (5%), nausea/vomiting (4%), flatulence, abdominal pain, constipation, or diarrhea (3%), and eructation (1%). In addition, an increased incidence of gallbladder disease/surgeries and pancreatitis occurred during clinical studies. Fibrate derivatives, including fenofibrate may increase cholesterol excretion into bile and result in cholelithiasis.

Dermatologic

Dermatologic side effects have included pruritus (3%) and rash (6%). During clinical studies, 2% of patients discontinued fenofibrate therapy because of rashes.

Dermatologic side effects possibly related to fenofibrate or where causality has not yet been established have included: photosensitivity, eczema, lupus-like syndrome, ichthyosis, telangiectasis, and alopecia.

Renal

Renal side effects have included acute renal failure. The accumulation of fenofibric acid in the presence of preexisting renal dysfunction causes an increase in levels of fenofibric acid, the main metabolite of fenofibrate. Renal side effects of fenofibric acid accumulation include acute renal failure associated with myositis and rhabdomyolysis.

Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular effects which have occurred during fenofibrate therapy where causality has not yet been established include facial and peripheral edema, angina, palpitations, tachycardia, migraine and epistaxis.

Cardiovascular side effects have included arrhythmia (1%) and pulmonary embolus (PE).

Nervous system

Nervous system side effects have included decreased libido (2%) and insomnia (1%).

Nervous system effects probably related to fenofibrate or where causality has not yet been established include dry mouth, vertigo, anxiety, sleep disorders, and confusion.

Respiratory

Respiratory side effects have included cough or sinusitis (1%) and rhinitis (4%).

Respiratory effects probably related to fenofibrate or where causality has not yet been established include allergic pulmonary alveolitis and congestion.

Ocular

Ocular side effects have included eye irritation (2%), eye floaters, blurred vision, or conjunctivitis (1%).

Other

Otic side effects have included earache (1%).

Genitourinary

Genitourinary side effects have included polyuria or vaginitis (1%).

Genitourinary effects occurring during fenofibrate where causality has not yet been established have included decreased male fertility and renal lithiasis.

Hypersensitivity

Hypersensitivity side effects have included severe skin rashes (requiring hospitalization and steroid therapy), urticaria and less severe rashes.

Hematologic

Hematologic side effects have included mild to moderate decreases in hemoglobin and hematocrit and white blood cells, rare incidences of thrombocytopenia and agranulocytosis, and deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Oncologic

Oncologic effects of tumor growth in rodents have been associated with many lipid-lowering drugs. Fenofibrate has been associated with liver, pancreatic and testicular tumors in rats. Long-term clinical trials are needed to define the risk of cancer in humans.

Endocrine

Endocrine side effects include at least one case of fenofibrate-induced gynecomastia that resolved following discontinuation and recurred upon rechallenge.

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