In addition to its helpful effects in treating yourmedical problem, this medicine may have some harmfuleffects.
You may have read or heard about a study called the WorldHealth Organization (WHO) Study. This study compared theeffects in patients who used clofibrate with effects in thosewho used a placebo (sugar pill). The results of this studysuggested that clofibrate might increase the patient's riskof cancer, liver disease, and pancreatitis (inflammation ofthe pancreas), although it might also decrease the risk ofheart attack. It may also increase the risk of gallstones andproblems from gallbladder surgery. Other studies have notfound all of these effects. Be sure you have discussed thiswith your doctor before taking this medicine.
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking themedicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This isa decision you and your doctor will make. For clofibrate, thefollowing should be considered:
Allergies—Tell your doctor if you haveever had any unusual or allergic reaction to clofibrate. Alsotell your health care professional if you are allergic to anyother substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Diet—Before prescribing medicine foryour condition, your doctor will probably try to control yourcondition by prescribing a personal diet for you. Such a dietmay be low in fats, sugars, and/or cholesterol. Many peopleare able to control their condition by carefully followingtheir doctors' orders for proper diet and exercise. Medicine is prescribed only when additional help isneeded and is effective only when a schedule of diet andexercise is properly followed.
Also, this medicine is less effective if you are greatlyoverweight. It may be very important for you to go on areducing diet. However, check with your doctor before goingon any diet.
Make certain your health care professional knows if youare on a low-sodium, low-sugar, or any other special diet.Most medicines contain more than their active ingredient.
Pregnancy—Use of clofibrate is notrecommended during pregnancy. Although studies have not beendone in pregnant women, studies in rabbits have shown thatthe fetus may not be able to break down and get rid of thismedicine as well as the mother. Because of this, it ispossible that clofibrate may be harmful to the fetus if youtake it while you are pregnant or for up to several monthsbefore you become pregnant. Be sure that you have discussedthis with your doctor before taking this medicine, especiallyif you plan to become pregnant in the near future.
Breast-feeding—Clofibrate passes intobreast milk. This medicine is not recommended duringbreast-feeding because it may cause unwanted effects innursing babies.
Children—Studies on this medicine havebeen done only in adult patients, and there is no specificinformation comparing use of clofibrate in children with usein other age groups. However, use is not recommended inchildren under 2 years of age since cholesterol is needed fornormal development.
Older adults—Many medicines have notbeen studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it maynot be known whether they work exactly the same way they doin younger adults. Although there is no specific informationcomparing use of clofibrate in the elderly with use in otherage groups, this medicine is not expected to cause differentside effects or problems in older people than it does inyounger adults.
Other medicines—Although certainmedicines should not be used together at all, in other casestwo different medicines may be used together even if aninteraction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may wantto change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary.When you are taking clofibrate, it is especially importantthat your health care professional knows if you are takingthe following:
- Anticoagulants (blood thinners)—Use withclofibrate may increase the effects of theanticoagulant
Use this medicine only as directed by your doctor.Do not use more or less of it, and do not use it more oftenor for a longer time than your doctor ordered.
Follow carefully the special diet your doctor gaveyou. This is the most important part of controlling yourcondition and is necessary if the medicine is to workproperly.
Stomach upset may occur but usually lessens after a fewdoses. Take this medicine with food or immediately aftermeals to lessen possible stomach upset.
Dosing—
The dose of clofibrate will be different for differentpatients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on thelabel. The following information includes only theaverage doses of clofibrate. If your dose is different, do not change it unlessyour doctor tells you to do so.
The number of capsules that you take depends on thestrength of the medicine.
- For oral dosage form (capsules):
- For high cholesterol:
- Adults—1.5 to 2 grams a day. This is dividedinto two to four doses.
- Children—Dose must be determined by yourdoctor.
Missed dose—
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon aspossible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose,skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosingschedule. Do not double doses.
Storage—
To store this medicine:
- Keep out of the reach of children.
- Store away from heat and direct light.
- Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, orin other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause themedicine to break down.
- Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longerneeded. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of thereach of children.
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause someunwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects mayoccur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if you think youhave taken an overdose or if any of the following sideeffects occur:
- Rare
- Chest pain; irregular heartbeat; shortness ofbreath; stomach pain (severe) with nausea andvomiting
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of thefollowing side effects occur:
- Rare
- Blood in urine; cough or hoarseness ; decrease inurination; fever or chills; lower back or side pain;painful or difficult urination; swelling of feet orlower legs
Other side effects may occur that usually do not needmedical attention. These side effects may go away duringtreatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However,check with your doctor if any of the following side effectscontinue or are bothersome:
- Less common or rare
- Decreased sexual ability; headache; increasedappetite or weight gain (slight); muscle aches orcramps; sores in mouth and on lips ; stomach pain, gas,or heartburn; unusual tiredness or weakness;vomiting
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in somepatients. If you notice any other effects, check with yourdoctor.
Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for acertain use, experience may show that it is also useful forother medical problems. Although this use is not included inproduct labeling, clofibrate is used in certain patients withthe following medical condition:
- Certain types of diabetes insipidus (waterdiabetes)
Other than the above information, there is no additionalinformation relating to proper use, precautions, or sideeffects for this use.
