Why is Tricor prescribed?

Tricor is used, along with a special diet, to treat people with very high levels of triglycerides (a fatty substance in the blood). Tricor also improves cholesterol levels by lowering total cholesterol--including "bad" LDL cholesterol--and raising "good" HDL cholesterol. It works by promoting the dissolution and elimination of fat particles in the blood.

Tricor is usually added to a treatment regimen only when other measures have failed to produce adequate results. Often, diet and exercise are enough to bring blood fats under control. Likewise, it's sometimes sufficient to simply treat an underlying problem such as diabetes, underactive thyroid, kidney disease, liver dysfunction, or alcoholism. And in some cases, just discontinuing a medication is enough to do the job. For instance, certain water pills and "beta-blocker" heart medications are capable of causing a massive increase in triglyceride levels. Estrogen replacement therapy is another potential culprit.

Whatever your other treatment measures may be, it's important to remember that Tricor is intended to supplement them, rather than replace them outright. To get the full benefit of the medication, you need to stick to the diet, exercise program, and other treatments your doctor prescribes. All these efforts to keep your cholesterol and triglyceride levels normal are important because together they may lower your risk of heart disease. If you're judged to be at high risk of heart disease, current guidelines call for considering drug therapy when LDL levels reach 130. For people at lower risk, the cut-off is 160. For those at little or no risk, it's 190.

Why should Tricor (Fenofibrate) not be prescribed?

You should not take Tricor (Fenofibrate) if you have liver or gallbladder disease, or severe kidney problems. You'll also have to avoid Tricor if it gives you an allergic reaction.

Special warnings about Tricor (Fenofibrate)

Tricor (Fenofibrate) has the potential to cause gallstones. Your doctor will discontinue the drug if gallstones develop.

Tricor (Fenofibrate) may also affect liver function. Your doctor should perform periodic blood tests to monitor the health of your liver.

Tricor (Fenofibrate) has not been tested in children.

Possible food and drug interactions when taking Tricor (Fenofibrate)

If Tricor (Fenofibrate) is taken with certain other drugs, decreased, the effects of either could be increased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Tricor with the following:

Blood thinners such as Neoral)
"Statins" (the cholesterol-lowering drugs Altocor, Lescol, Lipitor, Mevacor, Pravachol, warfarin (Coumadin)
The cholesterol-lowering drugs Colestid and Questran
Cyclosporine (Sandimmune, and Zocor)

What side effects may occur?

Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Tricor (Fenofibrate).

• More common side effects may include:
  Abdominal pain, headache, back pain, respiratory disorders