Patient/caregiver was educated on contraindications for using Fenofibrate as follows:
- Do not use this medication if you have history of allergy or serious side-effects to fenofibrate or Fenofibrate intake.
- Avoid drinking alcohol with Fenofibrate. Alcohol, by itself, carries the risk of elevating the bad cholesterol and triglycerides, thus compromising the therapeutic benefit of Fenofibrate intake. In addition, alcohol with Fenofibrate can increase the risk for hepatitis and damage to the liver function.
- History of muscle injury and breakdown- Use of Fenofibrate carries risk for skeletal muscle injury and breakdown. Protein molecules released into the blood from this skeletal muscle injury enter the kidney to be eliminated in urine. But, as these molecules are large, they will not be filtered through the kidneys into the urine and get blocked, thus damaging the kidneys and leading to kidney failure. Individuals with history of muscle damage are at increased risk for this side-effect with Fenofibrate and so, must be cautiously used and renal function closely monitored.
