Lipid Control with Choices. LOFIBRA® Fenofibrate Tablets and Capsules (Micronized)

Now…More Choices for Lipid Control

LOFIBRA® tablets—the familiar dosage form of fenofibrate prescribers

  • LOFIBRA® is available in both tablets and capsules in the five original dosage strengths you are familiar with.
  • LOFIBRA® offers once-daily administration at mealtimes, simplifying dosing and enhancing compliance.
  • LOFIBRA® is an economical choice for your patients.

Simple daily dosing

  • LOFIBRA® is taken by mouth, once a day, with a meal.
  • For the treatment of high triglycerides, the starting daily dose of LOFIBRA® tablets is usually 54 mg to 160 mg, while the starting daily dose of LOFIBRA® capsules is 67 mg to 200 mg.
  • For the treatment of high cholesterol or mixed lipid disorder, the starting dose for LOFIBRA® tablets is usually 160 mg per day, while capsules should be started at 200 mg per day.
  • In the elderly or in those with kidney problems, LOFIBRA® tablets should be started at 54 mg per day and capsules at 67 mg per day.
Photos of LOFIBRA pill selection in various sizes, shapes and doses

160 mg and 54 mg tablets are therapeutically equivalent to 200 mg and 67 mg capsules, respectively.

Indication

Treatment of Hypercholesterolemia
LOFIBRA® (fenofibrate capsules [micronized] and fenofibrate tablets) is indicated as adjunctive therapy to diet to reduce elevated LDL-C, Total-C, Triglycerides, and APoB, and to increase HDL-C in adult patients with primary hypercholesterolemia or mixed dyslipidemia (Fredrickson Types IIa and IIb). Lipid-altering agents should be used in addition to a diet restricted in saturated fat and cholesterol when response to diet and non-pharmacological interventions alone has been inadequate. The effect of fenofibrate on coronary heart disease morbidity and mortality and non-cardiovascular mortality has not been established.

Treatment of Hypertriglyceridemia
LOFIBRA® is also indicated as adjunctive therapy to diet for treatment of adult patients with hypertriglyceridemia (Fredrickson Types IV and V hyperlipidemia). Improving glycemic control in diabetic patients showing fasting chylomicronemia will usually reduce fasting triglycerides and eliminate chylomicronemia thereby obviating the need for pharmacologic intervention.

Important Safety Information

Diet therapy, exercise, weight loss, reduced alcohol intake, and control of any medical problems such as diabetes mellitus and hypothyroidism that are contributing to lipid abnormalities should be attempted prior to treatment with LOFIBRA®. Medications known to exacerbate hypertriglyceridemia (betablockers, thiazides, estrogens) should be discontinued or changed if possible prior to consideration of triglyceride-lowering drug therapy.

LOFIBRA® is contraindicated in patients with hepatic or severe renal dysfunction, including primary biliary cirrhosis, unexplained persistent liver function abnormality, preexisting gallbladder disease, or hypersensitivity to fenofibrate.

Fenofibrate has been associated with increases in serum transaminases (ALT [SGPT] or AST [SGOT]) and creatine phosphokinase. Regular periodic monitoring of liver function should be performed for the duration of therapy with LOFIBRA®. Therapy should be discontinued if enzyme levels persist above three times the normal limit or if gallstones are found.

Fenofibrate may increase cholesterol excretion into the bile, leading to cholelithiasis. Caution should be exercised when anticoagulants are given in conjunction with LOFIBRA® because LOFIBRA® may increase the effects of coumarin-type anticoagulants. Anticoagulant dosage adjustment based on frequent prothrombin time/INR determinations is advisable.

Use with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors should be avoided unless the benefits outweigh the risks. The use of fenofibrate alone may be associated with myositis, myopathy, or rhabdomyolysis. Patients complaining of muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness should have prompt medical evaluation for myopathy, including serum creatine kinase level determination.

The dosage of fenofibrate should be minimized in patients with severe renal impairment. Because of differences in the pharmacokinetic profile between capsule and tablet formulations they should be interchanged with monitoring.

Adverse events reported by ≥4% of patients receiving LOFIBRA® in controlled clinical trials were abdominal pain, abnormal liver function tests, and respiratory disorders. Pancreatitis, thromboembolism, and hematologic changes have been reported.