Tricor (Fenofibrate)
Tricor (fenofibrate) Dosage and Side Effects
TRICOR is used to treat high levels of cholesterol and triglyceride in your blood. TRICOR belongs to a class of medications known as antilipemics and fibric acid. It works by breaking down fats and helping the body eliminate triglycerides.
Warnings and Precautions
If you are allergic to TRICOR or an inactive ingredient that the medication contains, you should not use it.
Before you take TRICOR, you should talk with your doctor if any of the following applies to you:
- Sensitivity to the drug TRICOR or its inactive ingredients
- Poor liver function
- Increased levels of liver enzymes, known as LFTs, on your most recent lab report
- Impaired kidney function
- Damaged bile ducts or a condition called primary biliary cirrhosis
- Gallbladder disease
- Underactive thyroid
- Diabetes mellitus
- You are age 65 or older
- You are using a medication that is considered harmful to the kidneys
Before taking TRICOR, let your doctor know if you:
- Are allergic to TRICOR or any of its ingredients
- Are taking blood thinners, such as like warfarin (Coumadin), dabigatran (Pradaxa), or enoxaparin (Lovenox), because TRICOR may increase their effects
- Are taking a type of cholesterol drug called a statin, such as rosuvastatin (Crestor), atorvastatin (Lipitor), simvastatin (Zocor), lovastatin (Mevacor), or others.
Pregnancy and TRICOR
Benzonatate falls under the FDA’s Pregnancy Category C, which means that it is unknown whether this medication will cause harm to an unborn baby or fetus.
TRICOR should not be taken while breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor first if you are taking TRICOR and planning to breastfeed.
Side Effects
Common Side Effects of TRICOR
If you have any of the following common side effects of TRICOR and they do not go away or become severe, call your doctor or get emergency medical care:
- Mild headache
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Runny nose
TRICOR may actually lower levels of a type of good cholesterol called HDL-C.
Serious Side Effects and Reactions
Tell your doctor right away or get emergency medical help if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Shortness of breath or trouble breathing
- Pain in the chest
- Discomfort in your jaw, neck, upper back, or arms
- Tongue swelling or other mouth and throat problems
- Yellow appearance of the skin, nails, or whites of the eyes (this could be jaundice, a sign of serious effects on the liver)
- Pain in the upper area your back
- Stomach or digestion problems, such as pain, bloating, heartburn, nausea, more gas than usual, or vomiting
- Skin that feels clammy
- Rapid heartbeat
- Swelling, weakness, or pain in your muscles or lower legs
- Red urine
- Allergic reactions, such as rash, swelling, or other skin problems
- Blisters or swelling in your lips, mouth, eyes, ears, nose, or genital areas
- Signs of abnormal bleeding caused by low blood-clotting cells (thrombocytopenia), such as: easy bruising, red pin-prick spots on the skin, gums bleeding when you brush your teeth
Interactions with this medication
It is always important to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your treatments, including over-the-counter (OTC) medications; vitamins, nutritional shakes, protein powders, and other supplements; herbal treatments or other alternative medicines; and any illegal or recreational drugs.
The following drugs may interact with TRICOR:
- Acyclovir (Zovirax)
- Adefovir dipivoxil (Hepsera)
- A group of antibiotics called aminoglycosides, such as: amikacin, gentamicin, kanamycin, neomycin, and streptomycin
- Amphotericin
- Blood pressure medications, such as the beta blockers: betaxolol (Betoptic, Kerlone), bisoprolol (Zebeta), atenolol (Tenormin), esmolol (Brevibloc), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), and propranolol (Inderal, Inderal LA )
- Diabetes medications, such as chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glimepiride, glipizide, glyburide, and nateglinide (Starlix)
- Cholestyramine
- Certain drugs for cancer, such ascisplatin and pemetrexed
TRICOR and Alcohol
Drinking alcohol while taking TRICOR can make your TRICOR treatment less effective — especially when drinking for long periods of time.
TRICOR and Grapefruit Juice
The liver breaks down TRICOR and grapefruit juice in different ways, so the possibility of a drug interaction may be unlikely.
However, you should still limit or avoid grapefruit juice while taking TRICOR.
TRICOR and Other Interactions
You should avoid taking cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins, such asrosuvastatin, (Crestor), atorvastatin (Lipitor), simvastatin (Zocor), lovastatin (Mevacor), and others.
If you are taking statins while on TRICOR, it can increase your risk of having a reaction that damages your muscles and kidneys.
Also, talk to your doctor before taking TRICOR if you are taking ezetimibe (Zetia).
TRICOR can increase the effects of blood-thinning medications.
You should not take TRICOR while on any of the following drugs:
- Colchicine (Colcrys)
- Telbivudine (Tybexa)
- Ursodiol (Actigall)
- Contraceptives and hormone replacement medications containing: conjugated estrogens, estradiol, estropipate, ethinyl estradiol, or mestranol
- Water or fluid pills such as: bendroflumethiazide (sold in combination with nadalol as Corzide), cholorthiazide (Diurel), hydrochlorothiazide, also known as HCTZ for short (Esidrix, Microzide), indapamide (Lozol), chlothalidone (Thalitone), or metolazone (Zaroxylin)
Proper Use of this medication
The brand Tricor is available in strengths of 54 milligrams (mg) and 160 mg. Generic fenofibrate is available in 48 mg and 154 mg tablets. You should not take more than the highest dose prescribed by your doctor in one day.
Always take TRICOR with a full glass of water regardless of whether you eat. Eating may delay TRICOR’s effect.
TRICOR Overdose
If you suspect an overdose, you should contact a poison-control center or emergency room immediately.
Missed Dose of TRICOR
If you miss a dose of TRICOR, try to take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses of the medication at the same time.
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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.