Clofibrate : Before Using - Abitrate, Atromid-S, Claripex, Novofibrate

Clofibrate - Systemic

Brand Names

Abitrate, Atromid-S, Claripex, Novofibrate Clofibrate *** Before Using *** How to Use *** Fore Safe Use *** Side Effects *** Additional Information

Before Using

In addition to its helpful effects in treating your medical problem, this drug may have some harmful effects.

You may have read or heard about a study called the World Health Organization - WHO Study. This study compared the effects in diseaseds who using clofibrate with effects in those who using a placebo - sugar pill. The results of this study suggested that clofibrate might increase the patient's risk of cancer, liver disease and pancreatitis - inflammation of the pancreas, although it might also decrease the risk of heart attack. It may also increase the risk of gallstones and problems from gallbladder surgery. Other studies have not found all of these effects. Be sure you have discussed this with your family doctor before taking this drug.

In deciding to using a medication, the chance of taking the drug must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you will make. For clofibrate, the following must be considered

Allergic reaction

Tell your family doctor if you have any unusual or allergy to clofibrate. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Diet Before prescribing drug for your condition, your family doctor will probably try to control your condition by prescribing a personal diet for you. Such a diet may be low in fats, sugars andcholesterol. Many people are able to control their condition by carefully following their family doctors" orders for proper diet and exercise Medicine is prescribed only when additional help is needed and is effective only when a schedule of diet and exercise is properly followed.

Always this drug is less effective if you are greatly overweight. It may be very important for you to go on a reducing diet. However, check with your family doctor before going on any diet.

Make certain your health care professional knows if you are on a low-sodium, low-sugar, or any other special diet. Most medication contain more than their active ingredient.

Pregnancy care

Use of clofibrate is not recommended during pregnancy. Although studies have not been done in pregnant women, studies in rabbits have shown that the fetus may not be able to break down and get rid of this drug as well as the mother. Because of this, it is possible that clofibrate may be harmful to the fetus if you take it while you are pregnant or for up to few months before you become pregnant. Be sure that you have discussed this with your family doctor before taking this drug, especially if you plan to become pregnant in the near future.

Breast-feeding problem

Clofibrate passes into breast milk. This drug is not recommended during breast-feeding because it may cause unwanted effects in nursing babies.

Use for Children

Studies on this drug have been done only in adult diseaseds and there is no special info comparing use of clofibrate in child with use in other age groups. However, use is not recommended in child under 2 years of age since cholesterol is needed for normal development.

Elderly care

Many medication have not been studied specifically in elderly people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in adults people. Although there is no special info comparing use of clofibrate in the elderly with use in other age groups, this drug is not expected to cause various side effects or problems in older people than it does in adults people.

Drug interactions

Although certain medication must not be using together at all, in other cases two various medication may be using together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your family doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking clofibrate, it is especially important that your health care professional knows if you are taking the following:

Anticoagulants - blood thinners Use with clofibrate may increase the effects of the anticoagulant

Other Information for using

The presence of other medical problems may effect the use of clofibrate. Make sure you tell your family doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

Gallstones
Stomach or intestinal ulcer May make these conditions worse

Heart disease
Kidney disease
Liver disease Higher blood levels may result and increase the risk of side effects

Underactive thyroid Clofibrate may cause or make muscle disease worse