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Fenofibrate

Fenofibrate is a fibrate used in hyperlipidaemia. Its label carries a warning about muscle injury that gives patients something specific to watch for, which is unusual enough to be the centre of this page.

Tricor

Hypercholesterolaemia, Mixed Dyslipidaemia

160mg · 200mg

Utilised to manage serum lipid levels to alleviate atherosclerotic plaque risk and support hepatic lipid clearance.

From$1.57/ tabletView

Key points

  • The label states that fibrates increase the risk for myopathy and have been associated with rhabdomyolysis.
  • Myopathy and rhabdomyolysis have been reported in patients taking fenofibrate specifically, not only as a class effect.
  • The label names what should prompt suspicion: diffuse muscle aches, muscle tenderness or weakness, and marked elevations of creatine phosphokinase.
  • Management of overdose is general supportive care, including monitoring of vital signs and observation of clinical status.

How it works

Fenofibrate belongs to the fibrate class, used to modify blood lipids. It is a different class from the statins, and the two are sometimes used together, which is directly relevant to the muscle warning below because both carry muscle-related risk.

Safety specific to fenofibrate

Muscle injury. The label states that fibrates increase the risk for myopathy and have been associated with rhabdomyolysis, and records that myopathy and rhabdomyolysis have been reported in patients taking fenofibrate.

The useful part is that the label says what to look for rather than leaving it general: myopathy should be considered in any patient with diffuse myalgias, muscle tenderness or weakness, or marked elevations of creatine phosphokinase levels.

Translated for a reader, that means widespread muscle aching, tenderness or weakness while taking fenofibrate is a reason to contact a prescriber and ask about a CPK blood test, rather than something to attribute to exertion and wait out. Rhabdomyolysis is the severe end of that spectrum and can damage the kidneys, which is why the threshold for checking is low.

When to seek urgent care

Widespread unexplained muscle pain, tenderness or weakness while taking fenofibrate warrants prompt medical assessment, particularly if accompanied by dark urine or by feeling generally unwell.

Further reading