Clofibrate (Abitrate, Atromid-S, Claripex, Novofibrate)

Description:

Clofibrate is used to lower cholesterol and triglyceride (fat-like substances) levels in the blood. This may help prevent medical problems caused by such substances clogging the blood vessels.

Before Using This Medicine

Clofibrate might increase the patient's risk of cancer, liver disease, and pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), although it might also decrease the risk of heart attack. It may also increase the risk of gallstones and problems from gallbladder surgery. Be sure you have discussed this with your doctor before taking this medicine.

For clofibrate, the following should be considered:

Diet

Before prescribing medicine for your condition, your doctor will try to control your condition by prescribing a personal diet, low in fats, sugars, and/or cholesterol. Medicine is prescribed only when additional help is needed and is effective only when a schedule of diet and exercise is properly followed. Clofibrate is less effective if you are greatly overweight. It may be very important for you to go on a reducing diet.

Pregnancy

Use of clofibrate is not recommended during pregnancy, it is possible that clofibrate may be harmful to the fetus if you take it while you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant in the near future.

Breast-feeding

Clofibrate passes into breast milk. This medicine is not recommended during breast-feeding because it may cause unwanted effects in nursing babies.

Children

Use of clofibrate is not recommended in children under 2 years of age since cholesterol is needed for normal development.

Older adults

This medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Other medicines

When you are taking clofibrate, it is especially important that your health care professional knows if you are taking the following:

Anticoagulants (blood thinners)

Use with clofibrate may increase the effects of the anticoagulant.

Proper Use

Use clofibrate only as directed by your doctor. Do not use more or less of it, and do not use it more often or for a longer time than your doctor ordered. Follow carefully the special diet your doctor gave you. This is the most important part of controlling your condition and is necessary if the medicine is to work properly. Stomach upset may occur but usually lessens after a few doses. Take this medicine with food or immediately after meals to lessen possible stomach upset.

Dosing

The dose of clofibrate will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. For high cholesterol:
Adults—1.5 to 2 grams a day. This is divided into two to four doses.
Children—Dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children. Store away from heat and direct light. Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down. Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

Precautions

While Using Clofibrate let your doctor check your progress at regular visits to see if the medicine is working properly to lower your cholesterol and triglyceride levels and to decide if you should continue to take it. Do not stop taking this medicine without first checking with your doctor, because if you stop taking this medicine, your blood fat levels may increase again.

Side Effects of Clofibrate

Not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor if you think you have taken an overdose or if any of the following side effects occur:
Rare Chest pain; irregular heartbeat; shortness of breath; stomach pain (severe) with nausea and vomiting.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur: Rare Blood in urine; cough or hoarseness ; decrease in urination; fever or chills; lower back or side pain; painful or difficult urination; swelling of feet or lower legs Other side effects that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine.

More common
Diarrhea; nausea; decreased sexual ability; headache; increased appetite or weight gain (slight); muscle aches or cramps; sores in mouth and on lips ; stomach pain, gas, or heartburn; unusual tiredness or weakness; vomiting.