Fenofibrate
Risk Factor: CM
Class: ANTILIPEMIC AGENTS
Contents of this page:
Fetal Risk Summary
Breast Feeding Summary
References
Questions and Answers
Fetal Risk Summary
Fenofibrate is a prodrug that is rapidly hydrolyzed by esterases to the active metabolite, fenofibric acid. Fenofibric acid produces reductions in total cholesterol, low-density liproprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, total triglycerides, and triglyceride rich lipoprotein. It is indicated as adjunctive therapy to diet for the treatment of primary hypercholesterolemia or mixed dyslipidemia, and for hypertriglyceridemia (1).
Reproduction studies have been conducted in pregnant rats and rabbits (1). The drug was embryocidal and teratogenic in pregnant rats given 7 to 10 times the maximum recommended human dose on a body surface area basis (MRHD). At 9 times the MRHD given before and throughout gestation to rats, reproductive toxicity included delayed parturition in 100% of the dams, a 60% increase in post-implantation loss with a decrease in litter size, reduced birth weight, an increase in spina bifida, and decreased pup survival (40% at birth, 4% during neonatal period, and 0% to weaning). Similar findings were observed at 7 times the MRHD given from day 15 of gestation through weaning. When pregnant rats were dosed at 10 times the MRHD during organogenesis, an increased incidence of congenital malformations was observed, including domed head/hunched shoulders/rounded body/abnormal chest, kyphosis, stunted fetuses, elongated sternal ribs, malformed sternebrae, extra foramen in palatine, misshapen vertebrae, and supernumerary ribs (1). In pregnant rabbits, doses 9 and 18 times the MRHD resulted in increased rates of abortions at both doses and fetal death at the highest dose (1).
Although not mutagenic, fenofibrate was carcinogenic in rats, significantly increasing the incidence of liver carcinoma, pancreatic carcinoma and adenomas, and benign testicular interstitial cell tumors in a dose-related manner (1). Some of these tumors (pancreatic acinar adenomas and testicular interstitial cell tumors) were also seen in a second strain of rats at lower doses (1).
It is not known if fenofibrate or fenofibric acid cross the human placenta. Fenofibrate is rapidly metabolized and is not detected in the plasma (1). The molecular weight of the metabolite, fenofibric acid (about 319), however, is low enough that transfer to the fetus should be expected.
Breast Feeding Summary
No reports describing the use of fenofibrate in human lactation have been located. The relatively low molecular weight of the active metabolite (about 319) suggests that it is excreted into breast milk. Although the effect of this exposure on a nursing infant is unknown, women taking fenofibrate should probably not breast feed because of the carcinogenicity observed in rats.
References
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Product information. Tricor. Abbott Laboratories, 2001.
Questions and Answers
Has anyone ever heard of Prevacid or Fenofibrate causing memory loss?,
Prevacid, no. Fenofibrate, yes.
Prevacid and other acid blockers can prevent the proper digestion of food and any tablets ingested, but that's about all the side effects don't list.
Fenofibrate and other Cholesterol blockers (including Statins) on the other hand CAN cause memory loss and multiple older people prescribed Cholesterol blockers are also diagnosed with Alzheimer's shortly after. The reason for this is that they block the cholesterol production in all parts of your body, including your brain. Your brain produces cholesterol in order to aid the myelin sheaths that coat the neurons and help nerve function, plus cholesterol is used in the formation of synapses. When this cholesterol production in the brain is stopped, the nerves can't function as well, the synapses aren't as strong, and the basic functions of the brain can't work as well.
One of the funniest things about this is that Statins have cognitive problems listed as the second-most common side effect. www.rxlist.com even lists "amnesia" under the serious side effects.
One of the funniest reports I saw was a doctor with decades of experience that was prescribed a cholesterol-lowering drug and after only 6 weeks, he was found wandering around, not knowing where he was or anyone around him (including his wife). He got off it for a while, felt better, then got back on and it happened again. That's when he did more research about it and became an advocate for the Statins causing memory problems. His website is listed below.
Does the medication TriCor (fenofibrate) for high triglycerides increase your risk of colon cancer?, I think I remember reading about this link, but a quick literature review did not turn anything up. Thanks for your help.
It appears that the studies have some mixed results. Some of the studies are actually leaning towards that TriCor is a help in some treatments of some cancers. see this link:
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/article...
although you may not be a candidate for endometrial cancer, still the study is interesting.
Here is another study in which fenofibrate is one of a combination of drugs being used in treatment for cancer:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct/show/NC...
On the other hand, here is a link to another view:
http://www.drugs.com/cons/Fenofibrate_Sy...
What is the combined effect of atorvastatin and fenofibrate on TG and LDL cholestorol.Is it required take abov, What is the combined effect of atorvastatin and fenofibrate on TG and LDL cholestorol.Is it required take above medicine alongwith GISSICOR ( Composition EPA Eicosapentaenoic acid 280mg & DHA Docosahexaenoic acid 230 mg).
atorvastatin is an antilipidemic -which means it controls the amount of fat and cholesterol that circulates in your blood system, not sure about the rest of the question, but if you have a history of stroke, heart attack, or currently have high cholesterol or blood pressure, it is good to be taking it
what is the medication fenofibrate prescribed for?,
belongs to class of meds called fibrates, reduce your cholesterol and your LDL , your bad cholesterol
how long should I be taking Lipicard 160 mg prescribed two months back to lower my triglyceride level?, I was prescribed Lipicard 160 mg (fenofibrate) on my triglyceride recording of 340. I have been taking the medicine for two months. How long should I be taking this medicine as it is said to have hepatic side effects.
fenofibrate is a good prescription medicine typically your doctor will check cholesterol profile anywhere from 6-12 weeks after starting the medicine, at the same time your liver profile will be checked too. as for long term, start dieting and exercise and try to lower the dose gradually while you keep up with cholesterol profile checks every 6-12 weeks, if they stay low with diet and exercise then you could probably eventually discontinue the drug. Otherwise I agree omaga 3 or fish oil 1000 mg 2-3 times a day is a good supplement not alternate. take vitamin e 400 units daily if you take fish oil. good luck
What does "serum turbid" mean, when I am measuring Tri-glycerides? does it affect my reading? how do I improve, I went for a blood test for my lipid profile. I had a
tri glyceride 403 mg/dl ( Serum turbid).
cholesterol 177mg/dl
HDL 28
LDL 97
VLDL 81
My doc put me on fenofibrate for 3 months.
What does serum turbid mean? How does it affect my readings? My earlier tests did not have any such terms. Please explain and also let me know how to improve on my cholesterol.
When the serum is turbid, it usually means there is a high concentration of fatty globules dissolved in it, so that it is not clear. Your HDL's are low, so that tells me you are not very physically active. Your VLDL's are high, so you have been eating a diet that is either very high in fat, or you have a genetic predispostion to increased cholesterol. Your total cholesterol count is a total of all three---206, which is high, but not all that high. The low HDL's and the very high triglycerides are troubling, and may indicate a devloping diabetes problem, or impaired functioning of liver and pancreas. You need to discuss this more thoroughly with your physician, so that you are able to understand, and develop a treatment plan that is right for you.
