Fenofibric acid

Table 2 presents clinically important drug interactions with fenofibric acid. Table 2. Clinically Important Drug Interactions with fenofibric acid Statins Clinical Impact: Fibrates may cause myopathy when given alone. The risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis is increased with concomitant use of fibrates with statins. Intervention: Consider if the benefit of using fenofibric acid concomitantly with statin therapy outweighs the increased risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. If concomitant use is decided, monitor patients for signs and symptoms of myopathy, particularly during initiation of therapy and during upward dosage titration of statin therapy.

Colchicine Clinical Impact: Cases of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis have been reported with concomitant use of colchicine with fenofibrates. Intervention: Consider if the benefit of using colchicine concomitantly with fenofibric acid outweighs the increased risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. If concomitant use is decided, monitor patients for signs and symptoms of myopathy, particularly during initiation of therapy and during upward dosage titration of colchicine. Coumarin Anticoagulants Clinical Impact: Fibrates may cause potentiation of coumarin-type anticoagulant effects with prolongation of the PT/INR.

Intervention: Caution should be exercised when coumarin anticoagulants are given in conjunction with fenofibric acid. The dosage of the anticoagulants should be reduced to maintain the PT/INR at the desired level to prevent bleeding complications.

Frequent PT/INR determinations are advisable until it has been definitely determined that the PT/INR has stabilized Immunosuppressants Clinical Impact: Immunosuppressants such as cyclosporine and tacrolimus can produce nephrotoxicity with decreases in creatinine clearance and rises in serum creatinine, and because renal excretion is the primary elimination route of fibrate drugs including fenofibric acid, there is a risk that an interaction will lead to deterioration of renal function.

Intervention: The benefits and risks of using fenofibric acid with immunosuppressants and other potentially nephrotoxic agents should be carefully considered, and the lowest effective dosage employed and renal function monitored. Bile-Acid Binding Resins Clinical Impact: Bile-acid binding resins may bind other drugs given concurrently. Intervention: In patients taking a bile acid resin, administer fenofibric acid at least 1 hour before or 4 to 6 hours after the bile acid resin to avoid impeding its absorption. Consider if the benefit of concomitant use of statins or colchicine outweighs the increased risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis.

Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of myopathy (7) . Exercise caution in concomitant treatment with coumarin anticoagulants. Reduce the dosage of coumarin to maintain the PT/INR at the desired level to prevent bleeding complications (7) . Consider the benefits and risks of concomitant use with immunosuppressants and other potentially nephrotoxic agents. Use the lowest effective dosage and monitor renal function (7) . Administer fenofibric acid at least 1 hour before or 4 to 6 hours after a bile acid resin to avoid impeding its absorption (7) .