Can Other Drugs Interact With My Fibrate?

Question: Can Other Drugs Interact With My Fibrate?

I am taking a fibrate to lower my cholesterol. Are there any medications that can interact with it?

Answer:

Fibric acid derivatives, also known as fibrates, can be used to lower your LDL and triglycerides, as well as boost your HDL, or "good" cholesterol. Currently available fibrates include:

• Lopid (gemfibrozil)
• Trilipix (fenofibric acid)
• TriCor (fenofibrate)

Fibrates are metabolized in the liver, which could lead to interactions with other medications. Drugs that can interact with your fibrate include:

• Cholesterol-lowering medications, such as bile acid resins, statins, and Zetia (ezetimibe)
• Cyclosporine
• Coumadin (warfarin)
• Colchicine
• Imodium (loperamide)
• Lopinavir
• Certain diabetes medications: Prandin (repaglinide), Avandia (rosiglitazone), Actos (pioglitazone), Amaryl (glimeperide), Diabeta (glyburide)

This list is not comprehensive and does not apply to all fibrates, so you should consult with your healthcare provider, pharmacist, or medication package insert to see if any other medications, or the medications above, will interact with your particular fibrate. In some cases, these interactions could reduce or increase the effectiveness of other drugs you are taking. For example:

• Taking a fibrate with one of the diabetes medication listed above could lead to hypoglycemia (low blood sugars).
• Taking fibrates with blood thinners, such as Coumadin, could increase the potency of the blood thinner, resulting in bleeding problems.
• Taking a combination of statins and fibrates may increase your chances of experiencing statin-induced muscle problems.

You should also consult with your healthcare provider if any other medications are prescribed to you, including supplements, over-the-counter products, or other prescription drugs, in order to make sure that they will not interact with your fibrate.

Is There Anyway to Avoid These Interactions?

In some cases, especially with bile acid resins, you can decrease the likelihood of an interaction occurring by spacing out the times between taking your fibrate and bile acid resin. With other medications, always let new healthcare providers and pharmacists know that you are taking a fibrate in order to avoid potential interactions.

There may be times where your healthcare provider may prescribe another medication listed above -- in addition to your fibrate. When this occurs, you should be closely monitored for side effects. If questions or concerns arise regarding your cholesterol-lowering therapy, or other medications prescribed, you should never hesitate to consult with your healthcare provider.

Sources:

Dipiro JT, Talbert RL. Pharmacotherapy: A Pathophysiological Approach, 7th ed 2008.

Micromedex Healthcare Series [intranet database]. Version 5.1. Greenwood Village, CO: Thomson Reuters (Healthcare) Inc.