Atorvastatin+fenofibrate
About
Atorvastatin+fenofibrate belongs to the class of medicines called antilipemic (lipid-lowering medicines) primarily used in the treatment of high lipid levels (cholesterol and triglycerides levels) and prevention of heart diseases and blood vessel blockage. Hyperlipidemia or hypertriglyceridemia is a condition in which there is a high level of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) or bad cholesterol and a decreased level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or good cholesterol. Increased level of bad cholesterol leads to a high risk of heart attack and stroke in the future, especially in patients with heart disease.
Atorvastatin+fenofibrate is composed of two medicines, namely: Atorvastatin (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor) and Fenofibrate (fibrates). Atorvastatin is a lipid-lowering medication that blocks the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase required to make cholesterol in the body. As a result, it lowers the bad cholesterol (low-density lipoproteins or LDL), and triglycerides (TG) and increases the levels of good cholesterol (high-density lipoproteins or HDL). Fenofibrate is another lipid-lowering agent which works by increasing the natural substance (lipoprotein lipase) that breaks down fats in the bloodstream thereby increasing its utilization and removal. As a result, it decreases harmful cholesterol like LDL (bad cholesterol), and triglycerides (TG) and increases levels of HDL (good cholesterol).
Take Atorvastatin+fenofibrate as prescribed. Your doctor will advise how often you take Atorvastatin+fenofibrate based on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience allergic reactions, hyperglycemia (excess of glucose in the bloodstream), headache, blurred vision, stomach pain, constipation, headaches, joint swelling (edema), joint pain, muscle pain, back pain, slow heart rate, and nausea. Most of these side effects of Atorvastatin+fenofibrate do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
If you are allergic to Atorvastatin+fenofibrate or any component present in it namely atorvastatin or fenofibrate, please tell your doctor. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have hypothyroidism, drink more than 2 servings of alcohol per day, and have a muscle disorder (fibromyalgia) it is advised to inform your doctor before using Atorvastatin+fenofibrate. Atorvastatin+fenofibrate is not recommended for children below 12 years of age, as the safety and effectiveness were not established. If you experience yellowing of the skin (Jaundice), allergic reaction, cramps, or muscle weakness then immediately contact your doctor.
Uses of Atorvastatin+fenofibrate
Medicinal Benefits
Atorvastatin+fenofibrate taken with dietary measures helps in the treatment of high cholesterol and prevention of life-threatening conditions to the heart, especially for heart patients when initial dietary measures fail to lower cholesterol. It helps in lowering the bad cholesterol (LDL) and increases the level of good cholesterol (HDL) in the state of dyslipidemia or hyperlipidemia. Atorvastatin+fenofibrate also lowers the amount of fat or cholesterol deposition (plaque) in the arteries of the heart thereby reducing the chance of having a heart attack or stroke in the future.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Atorvastatin+fenofibrate
- Muscle pain
- Muscle weakness
- Joint pain
- Back pain
- Stuffy/runny nose or nose bleeds
- Headache
- Blurred vision
- Increased liver enzymes
- Allergic reactions
- Hyperglycaemia (excess of glucose in the bloodstream)
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
A patient should consult a doctor before taking Atorvastatin+fenofibrate if a patient has had a previous stroke with bleeding into the brain or have small pockets of fluid in the brain from previous strokes, or has kidney problems. has under-active thyroid gland (hypothyroidism), has repeated or unexplained muscle aches or pains, has a personal history or family history of muscle problems, has previous muscular problems during treatment with other lipid-lowering medicines (e.g. other ‘-statin’ or ‘-fibrate’ medicines), drinks a large amount of alcohol, has a history of liver disease, is older than 70 years, has diabetes, especially Type 2 diabetes, that is not well controlled or has problems with certain proteins in your blood.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug interaction: Atorvastatin+fenofibrate interacts with oral anticoagulants (coumarin, warfarin), anti gout medicines (colchicine),antibiotics (like cephalexin, tetracycline, gentamicin), antifungals (like miconazole, fluconazole, and ketoconazole), HIV medicines (like abacavir, retrovir, and tenofovir), hepatitis C medicines (like ribavirin, elbasvir), contraceptive pills, anti-arthritis pills (cyclosporin) and other fibrates (clofibrate, gemfibrozil, ezetimibe).
Drug-Food interaction: Avoid Atorvastatin+fenofibrate with food items containing grape juice as well as fatty products.
Drug-Disease interaction: Atorvastatin+fenofibrate should be used with caution in patients with liver disease (jaundice), kidney disease, lung disease, gall bladder stone, pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), and muscle problems (myasthenia gravis, rhabdomyolysis).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionAvoid drinking alcohol with Atorvastatin+fenofibrate. It can raise triglyceride levels and may increase your risk of liver damage.
Pregnancy
unsafeStrictly prohibited as the drug is contraindicated in pregnant women since the safety in pregnant women has not been established .If the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, therapy should be discontinued and the patient should be apprised of the potential harm to the fetus.
Breast Feeding
cautionAs limited data is available on use of Atorvastatin+fenofibrate in breastfeeding mothers. It is strongly advise to consult a doctor before taking this drug.
Driving
safe if prescribedAbsolutely safe to use while driving as no effect on motor coordination & state of mind has been reported. However, do not drive if this medicine affects your ability to drive.
Liver
cautionCaution is to be taken as Atorvastatin+fenofibrate and liver interactions have been reported and should be avoided in patients with underlying liver disease, consult a doctor before taking this drug is mandatory.
Kidney
safe if prescribedNo serious interaction between Atorvastatin+fenofibrate and kidney has been reported. A patient is advised to consult a doctor as fenofibrate can affect kidney functioning.
Children
cautionNot recommended in children. Consult a doctor before taking this drug.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Eating a proper diet (such as a low-cholesterol/low-fat diet), other lifestyle changes that may help this medication work better include exercising, losing weight if overweight, and stopping smoking.
- It is best to limit or avoid alcoholic drinks while you are taking this medicine.
- Using this medicine with alcohol can lead to additive side effects such as increased drowsiness. Do not drive or operate machinery if you are drinking alcohol-containing beverages.
- If you notice slurred speech, confusion, severe weakness or difficulty breathing, contact your health care provider immediately.
- Try aromatherapy, yoga, and meditation to help relax your body and mind.
- Try to do breathing exercises to get more oxygen.
- Eat a healthy diet especially rich in soluble fibers like beans, legumes, whole grains, flax, apples, and citrus fruits.
- Try to replace most of your saturated fats with unsaturated fats that can reduce total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol in a short period. Foods like avocados, olive oil, fatty fish, and nuts contain lots of heart-healthy unsaturated fats, so it’s beneficial to eat them regularly.
- Try to adopt a Mediterranean-style diet rich in olive oil, fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, and fish, and lower the consumption of red meat.
- Try to give priority to more fruits and veggies in your daily meal as these contain antioxidants that help to lower LDL.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
The cholesterol in blood comes from two sources: the foods you eat and the liver. The liver makes all the cholesterol that is essential for healthy cell membranes, brain functioning, hormone production, and vitamin storage. Excess cholesterol is bad for health. There are two types of cholesterol namely 'bad cholesterol' and 'good cholesterol. Bad cholesterol comprises low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglycerides (TG) while good cholesterol consists of high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Usually, there are no specific symptoms of raised or high levels of cholesterol but a large deposition of cholesterol in the arteries (plaque) of the heart. Blocked artery or plaque formation in the arteries of the heart can lead to chest pain, heart attack, or stroke.
FAQs
Take the missed dose as soon as possible or skip to the next dose if it's been too late. Never try to take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.
Strictly no, a patient is advised to take proper healthy diet free of oily and fatty products recommended by doctor for the best results of this medication.
As such no harmful interaction has been reported yet doctors consultation is advised.
This drug is primarily used to lower high levels of fatty acids in blood & to use it for weightloss is only done on doctors recommendation after he/she thoroughly checks the state of patient.
Certain antibiotics like erythromycin and clarithromycin interacts with Atorvastatin+fenofibrate and hence should not be used simultaneously with Atorvastatin+fenofibrate,unless consulted & recommended by a doctor.
