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Can you take Fenofibrate with Rosuvastatin?

1 drug interaction and 16 additional warnings found for the following 2 drugs:

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Drug interactions

Major drug interactions

Major:

fenofibrate rosuvastatin

Applies to: fenofibrate and rosuvastatin

Using fenofibrate together with rosuvastatin can increase the risk of side effects such as liver damage and a rare but serious condition called rhabdomyolysis that involves the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue. In some cases, rhabdomyolysis can cause kidney damage and even death.

You may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications.

Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. Your doctor may already be aware of the risks, but has determined that this is the best course of treatment for you and has taken appropriate precautions and is monitoring you closely for any potential complications.

Let your doctor know immediately if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness while taking these medications, especially if these symptoms are accompanied by fever or dark colored urine.

You should also seek immediate medical attention if you develop fever, chills, joint pain or swelling, unusual bleeding or bruising, skin rash, itching, loss of appetite, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, dark colored urine, and/or yellowing of the skin or eyes, as these may be signs and symptoms of liver damage.

It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Food/lifestyle interactions

No alcohol/food interactions were found. However, this does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.

Disease interactions

16 potential interactions Applies to: 12 conditions, including Underactive Thyroid, Anemia, Diabetes Mellitus, Primary Biliary Cholangitis, and Gallbladder Disease.

Anemia

Moderate:

fenofibrate

Fenofibrate has a moderate potential interaction with Anemia.

Mild to moderate hemoglobin, hematocrit and white blood cell decreases have been observed in patients following initiation of fibric acid derivatives therapy. However, these levels stabilize during long-term administration. Thrombocytopenia and agranulocytosis have been reported in individuals treated with these agents. Caution is recommended when treating patients predisposed to hematologic changes. Periodic monitoring of red and white blood cell counts is recommended during the first 12 months of therapy.

Central Nervous System Disorders

Moderate:

rosuvastatin

Rosuvastatin has a moderate potential interaction with Central Nervous System Disorders.

Cognitive impairment (e.g., memory loss, forgetfulness, amnesia, memory impairment, confusion) have been observed in patients receiving statins. The reports are usually not serious, and reversible upon statin discontinuation. Caution is recommended when using these agents in patients with cognitive impairment.

Diabetes Mellitus

Moderate:

rosuvastatin

Rosuvastatin has a moderate potential interaction with Diabetes Mellitus.

Increases in hemoglobin A1c and fasting serum glucose levels have been reported with the use of certain HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. Caution should be exercised when using these agents in diabetic patients and close monitoring is recommended.

Gallbladder Disease

Major:

fenofibrate

Fenofibrate has a major potential interaction with Gallbladder Disease.

The use of fibric acid derivatives is contraindicated in patients with gallbladder disease. A significantly increased incidence of cholelithiasis has been observed in patients treated with the fibric acid derivative, clofibrate, presumably because of increased cholesterol excretion into the bile. Based on two separate studies (the WHO study and the Coronary Drug Project study), clofibrate use was associated with twice the risk of developing cholelithiasis and cholecystitis requiring surgery. Due to their structural and pharmacologic similarities, use of other fibric acid derivatives may be expected to carry the same risk.

Hematuria

Moderate:

rosuvastatin

Rosuvastatin has a moderate potential interaction with Hematuria.

An association between rosuvastatin and the development of proteinuria and microscopic hematuria was observed among treated patients during clinical trials. Patients with unexplained persistent proteinuria and/or hematuria during routine urinalysis testing should be instructed to reduce the dose of rosuvastatin according to clinical standards. Therapy with rosuvastatin should be administered cautiously in patients showing abnormal urinalysis. Monitoring for proteinuria and hematuria is recommended.

Liver Disease

Major:

fenofibrate

Fenofibrate has a major potential interaction with Liver Disease.

The use of fibric acid derivatives is contraindicated in patients with active liver disease or unexplained, persistent elevations of serum transaminases. Fibric acid derivatives therapy is associated with dose-related hepatotoxicity, including biochemical abnormalities of liver function, hepatitis (hepatocellular, chronic active, as well as cholestatic) and, rarely, cirrhosis. Postmarketing cases of severe drug-induced liver injury, including liver transplantation and death, have been reported. Therapy with these agents should be administered cautiously in patients with a history of liver disease and/or heavy alcohol use. Liver function tests, including serum transaminase levels and total bilirubin, should be performed at baseline and periodically throughout the duration of therapy. Therapy should be discontinued if signs or symptoms of liver injury develop or if elevated enzyme levels persist (ALT or AST greater than 3 times the upper limit of normal, or if accompanied by elevation of bilirubin). Do not restart therapy if there is no alternative explanation for the liver injury.

Myoneural Disorder

Major:

fenofibrate

Fenofibrate has a major potential interaction with Myoneural Disorder.

Severe myopathy, including rhabdomyolysis with acute renal failure secondary to myoglobinuria, has been reported rarely with the use of fibric acid derivatives. The myopathy may be dose-related and is characterized by muscle aches and/or weakness in conjunction with increases in creatine phosphokinase (CPK) values exceeding 10 times the upper limit of normal. Therapy with fibric acid derivatives should be administered cautiously in patients with preexisting myopathy or a myoneural disorder, since it may delay the recognition or confound the diagnosis of a drug-induced musculoskeletal effect. Patients should be advised to report promptly any unusual muscle pain, tenderness or weakness, particularly if accompanied by malaise or fever. Periodic CPK determinations may be considered in some patients, although the value of such monitoring is uncertain. Therapy should be withdrawn if markedly elevated CPK levels occur or if drug-related myopathy is diagnosed or suspected.

Moderate:

rosuvastatin

Rosuvastatin has a moderate potential interaction with Myoneural Disorder.

HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors may cause myopathy and rhabdomyolysis; acute renal failure secondary to myoglobinuria and rare fatalities have occurred due to rhabdomyolysis in patients treated with statins. The myopathy may be dose-related and is characterized by unexplained muscle weakness, pain, or tenderness accompanied by increases in creatine phosphokinase (CPK) values exceeding 10 times the upper limit of normal. Therapy with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors should be administered cautiously in patients with preexisting myopathy, in those with predisposing factors for myopathy, or with a history of myoneural disorder, since it may delay the recognition or confound the diagnosis of a drug-induced musculoskeletal effect. Patients should be advised to report promptly any unusual muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, particularly if accompanied by malaise or fever. Periodic CPK determinations may be considered in some patients, although the value of such monitoring is uncertain. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor therapy should be withdrawn if markedly elevated CPK levels occur or if drug-related myopathy is diagnosed or suspected.

Myopathy

Major:

fenofibrate

Fenofibrate has a major potential interaction with Myopathy.

Severe myopathy, including rhabdomyolysis with acute renal failure secondary to myoglobinuria, has been reported rarely with the use of fibric acid derivatives. The myopathy may be dose-related and is characterized by muscle aches and/or weakness in conjunction with increases in creatine phosphokinase (CPK) values exceeding 10 times the upper limit of normal. Therapy with fibric acid derivatives should be administered cautiously in patients with preexisting myopathy or a myoneural disorder, since it may delay the recognition or confound the diagnosis of a drug-induced musculoskeletal effect. Patients should be advised to report promptly any unusual muscle pain, tenderness or weakness, particularly if accompanied by malaise or fever. Periodic CPK determinations may be considered in some patients, although the value of such monitoring is uncertain. Therapy should be withdrawn if markedly elevated CPK levels occur or if drug-related myopathy is diagnosed or suspected.

Moderate:

rosuvastatin

Rosuvastatin has a moderate potential interaction with Myopathy.

HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors may cause myopathy and rhabdomyolysis; acute renal failure secondary to myoglobinuria and rare fatalities have occurred due to rhabdomyolysis in patients treated with statins. The myopathy may be dose-related and is characterized by unexplained muscle weakness, pain, or tenderness accompanied by increases in creatine phosphokinase (CPK) values exceeding 10 times the upper limit of normal. Therapy with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors should be administered cautiously in patients with preexisting myopathy, in those with predisposing factors for myopathy, or with a history of myoneural disorder, since it may delay the recognition or confound the diagnosis of a drug-induced musculoskeletal effect. Patients should be advised to report promptly any unusual muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, particularly if accompanied by malaise or fever. Periodic CPK determinations may be considered in some patients, although the value of such monitoring is uncertain. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor therapy should be withdrawn if markedly elevated CPK levels occur or if drug-related myopathy is diagnosed or suspected.

Primary Biliary Cholangitis

Major:

fenofibrate

Fenofibrate has a major potential interaction with Primary Biliary Cholangitis.

The use of fibric acid derivatives is contraindicated in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis. These agents may further raise the already elevated cholesterol in these patients.

Proteinuria

Moderate:

rosuvastatin

Rosuvastatin has a moderate potential interaction with Proteinuria.

An association between rosuvastatin and the development of proteinuria and microscopic hematuria was observed among treated patients during clinical trials. Patients with unexplained persistent proteinuria and/or hematuria during routine urinalysis testing should be instructed to reduce the dose of rosuvastatin according to clinical standards. Therapy with rosuvastatin should be administered cautiously in patients showing abnormal urinalysis. Monitoring for proteinuria and hematuria is recommended.

Renal Dysfunction

Major:

fenofibrate

Fenofibrate has a major potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.

The use of fibric acid derivatives is contraindicated in patients with significantly impaired renal function. The rate of clearance of fenofibric acid has been shown to decrease substantially when CrCl is below 50 mL/min, with drug accumulation during chronic dosing. Increased adverse effects, including rhabdomyolysis (with or without secondary renal failure) and severe hyperkalemia, have been associated with the use of fibric acid derivatives in patients with renal insufficiency. Therapy with these agents should be administered cautiously in patients with mild or moderate renal impairment. Close clinical monitoring is recommended during therapy.

Moderate:

rosuvastatin

Rosuvastatin has a moderate potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.

HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors may cause myopathy and rhabdomyolysis; acute renal failure secondary to myoglobinuria and rare fatalities have occurred due to rhabdomyolysis in patients treated with statins. The myopathy may be dose-related and is characterized by unexplained muscle weakness, pain, or tenderness accompanied by increases in creatine phosphokinase (CPK) values exceeding 10 times the upper limit of normal. Therapy with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors should be administered cautiously in patients with preexisting myopathy, in those with predisposing factors for myopathy, or with a history of myoneural disorder, since it may delay the recognition or confound the diagnosis of a drug-induced musculoskeletal effect. Patients should be advised to report promptly any unusual muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, particularly if accompanied by malaise or fever. Periodic CPK determinations may be considered in some patients, although the value of such monitoring is uncertain. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor therapy should be withdrawn if markedly elevated CPK levels occur or if drug-related myopathy is diagnosed or suspected.

Moderate:

rosuvastatin

Rosuvastatin has a moderate potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.

Some HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (e.g., fluvastatin) have not been studied in patients with severe renal dysfunction or end-stage renal disease. Some others (e.g., pitavastatin, simvastatin) require a dose reduction when used in this group of patients. Caution and close monitoring are advised when using these drugs in patients with renal dysfunction.

Underactive Thyroid

Moderate:

rosuvastatin

Rosuvastatin has a moderate potential interaction with Underactive Thyroid.

HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors may cause myopathy and rhabdomyolysis; acute renal failure secondary to myoglobinuria and rare fatalities have occurred due to rhabdomyolysis in patients treated with statins. The myopathy may be dose-related and is characterized by unexplained muscle weakness, pain, or tenderness accompanied by increases in creatine phosphokinase (CPK) values exceeding 10 times the upper limit of normal. Therapy with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors should be administered cautiously in patients with preexisting myopathy, in those with predisposing factors for myopathy, or with a history of myoneural disorder, since it may delay the recognition or confound the diagnosis of a drug-induced musculoskeletal effect. Patients should be advised to report promptly any unusual muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, particularly if accompanied by malaise or fever. Periodic CPK determinations may be considered in some patients, although the value of such monitoring is uncertain. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor therapy should be withdrawn if markedly elevated CPK levels occur or if drug-related myopathy is diagnosed or suspected.

More resources

fenofibrate

A total of 147 drugs are known to interact with fenofibrate.

rosuvastatin

A total of 276 drugs are known to interact with rosuvastatin.

Drug Interaction Classification

These classifications are only a guideline. The relevance of a particular drug interaction to a specific individual is difficult to determine. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication.
Major Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit.
Moderate Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances.
Minor Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan.
Unknown No interaction information available.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.