Fenofibrate Uses, Dosage, and Safety Overview

fenofibrate 145 mg is a prescription medicine used to help manage certain abnormal blood lipid levels, especially high triglycerides.

Some patients explore Ships from Canada to US as part of long-term medication planning when cross-border options are permitted. This page explains how fenofibrate works, who it may be for, key safety points, and practical handling basics.

What Fenofibrate Is and How It Works

Fenofibrate is a lipid-regulating medicine in the fibrate class. It is typically used alongside diet and other lifestyle measures to address dyslipidemia (unhealthy cholesterol or triglyceride levels). In the body, fenofibrate is converted to fenofibric acid and activates PPAR-alpha (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha), a receptor that influences how the liver and fat tissue process fats. As a result, triglyceride levels may decrease and HDL-C (often called “good cholesterol”) may increase, depending on the person and the condition being treated.

CanadianInsulin.com operates as a prescription referral service rather than a dispensing pharmacy. Fenofibrate is not an acute “rescue” treatment; it is usually part of an ongoing plan that includes periodic lipid testing and attention to secondary causes of high triglycerides, such as uncontrolled diabetes, hypothyroidism, kidney disease, certain medications, and heavy alcohol intake. For background on cardiometabolic risk factors, the guides on Triglycerides Diabetes and Bad Cholesterol Diabetes provide helpful context.

Why it matters: Very high triglycerides can raise pancreatitis risk, so lab follow-up is important.

Who It’s For

Clinicians may prescribe fenofibrate for adults with specific lipid disorders, including severe hypertriglyceridemia (very high triglycerides) and, in some cases, mixed dyslipidemia when diet and lifestyle changes are not enough. It may be considered when triglycerides remain elevated despite addressing reversible drivers and optimizing other risk-reduction measures. Condition overviews are often organized into browseable hubs such as High Triglycerides and High Cholesterol.

Eligibility depends on the individual’s medical history and lab results. fenofibrate 145 mg is not appropriate for everyone, and the product labeling for a specific manufacturer matters. In general, fenofibrate is avoided in people with severe kidney impairment, active liver disease, or certain gallbladder conditions, and it is typically not used if there is a known hypersensitivity to the drug. Pregnancy and breastfeeding considerations should be discussed with the prescriber. A clinician may also review other causes of abnormal lipids and assess overall cardiovascular risk using blood pressure, A1C (a 3-month average blood sugar), and other labs; diet patterns described in Mediterranean Diet Diabetes are sometimes discussed as part of broader risk reduction.

Dosage and Usage

Fenofibrate products come in multiple formulations, and dosing is formulation-specific. Many common tablet products are taken once daily, but kidney function, the lipid condition being treated, and the exact product type can affect the prescribed regimen. A prescriber may order baseline labs and then repeat lipid testing after a period of consistent use to evaluate response and adjust the overall treatment plan.

For some formulations, fenofibrate 145 mg is used as a once-daily maintenance dose. Administration instructions can differ by brand and formulation, including whether to take it with food. Follow the directions on the prescription label and the manufacturer’s information for that specific product.

• Take consistently each day to support steady levels.
• Swallow tablets whole; do not crush unless directed.
• If a dose is missed, follow label directions.
• Keep a current medication list for appointments.

Because lipid management often overlaps with diabetes and heart health care, a broader self-care plan may include clinician-guided goals for weight, activity, and nutrition; the resource Manage Heart Health summarizes common focus areas.

Strengths and Forms

Fenofibrate is available as oral tablets or capsules, depending on the manufacturer and market. Different formulations are not always interchangeable on a milligram-to-milligram basis because of differences in how the drug is delivered and absorbed. Your pharmacy label will specify the exact product form dispensed.

The 145 mg tablet is a commonly used strength; fenofibrate 145 mg oral tablet products may also be described as “nanocrystallized” (a formulation approach intended to improve absorption). Some products are labeled as fenofibrate tablets USP 145 mg. Brand naming can vary by region, and some patients may see names such as Tricor, Lipanthyl 145, or Supralip 145 mg on packaging depending on the country and manufacturer. Availability can change over time, so clinicians and pharmacists typically confirm the exact presentation before starting therapy.

Storage and Travel Basics

Most fenofibrate tablets are stored at controlled room temperature in a dry place, protected from excess heat and moisture. Keep the medicine in its original container when possible, and store it out of reach of children and pets. Avoid transferring tablets into unmarked containers unless a clinician or pharmacist confirms that it is appropriate for the product you have.

For travel, keep the prescription label attached and carry enough doses for the trip plus a small buffer, if appropriate for your plan. Security screening and time-zone changes can complicate routines, so a written schedule can help maintain consistency without changing the dose. If tablets look chipped, discolored, or exposed to moisture, ask a pharmacist whether they should be replaced.

Quick tip: Keep tablets away from bathroom humidity to reduce degradation risk.

Side Effects and Safety

Like all medicines, fenofibrate can cause side effects, and many are mild or improve over time. Commonly reported effects include stomach upset, nausea, constipation or diarrhea, headache, and muscle aches. Some people also notice mild changes in liver enzymes or kidney-related lab values, which is one reason periodic monitoring may be used.

More serious but less common risks include myopathy (muscle injury) and rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown), especially when combined with certain other lipid-lowering therapies or in people with kidney problems. Gallstones and pancreatitis have also been reported, and signs such as severe upper abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, dark urine, or yellowing of the skin/eyes warrant urgent medical evaluation. If fenofibrate is prescribed as fenofibrate 145 mg, the clinician may schedule follow-up labs to monitor liver function, kidney function, and lipid response, and may ask about muscle symptoms at visits.

• Common: stomach upset, headache, aches.
• Seek care: severe weakness, dark urine, jaundice.
• Report: persistent abdominal pain or vomiting.

Do not stop or restart prescription therapy without clinician guidance, since the underlying lipid problem can persist even when symptoms are absent.

Drug Interactions and Cautions

Fenofibrate can interact with other medications. The prescriber should review all prescription drugs, over-the-counter products, and supplements, including intermittent items such as antibiotics or antifungals. Interaction risks may be higher in older adults and in people with kidney impairment or multiple chronic conditions.

Important categories to discuss with a clinician include anticoagulants (blood thinners), other cholesterol or triglyceride medicines, immunosuppressants, and certain diabetes treatments. Combination therapy can be appropriate in select situations, but it requires individualized risk review. fenofibrate 145 mg may also require added caution with medications that can affect muscle tissue or kidney function.

• Statins: higher myopathy risk in some patients.
• Warfarin: possible changes in bleeding risk.
• Cyclosporine: potential kidney-related concerns.
• Bile acid resins: may need dose separation.

Why it matters: A complete medication list helps prevent avoidable adverse effects.

Compare With Alternatives

Several approaches can be used to manage dyslipidemia, and the best choice depends on the lipid pattern (high triglycerides vs high LDL-C), overall cardiovascular risk, and other health conditions. Fenofibrate is one option focused primarily on triglyceride lowering, while other therapies may be prioritized for LDL-C reduction.

Common alternatives or add-ons include statins (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors), cholesterol absorption inhibitors, and prescription omega-3 fatty acids. A clinician may also emphasize lifestyle measures such as weight management, limiting alcohol, and optimizing diabetes control. For reference, CanadianInsulin.com lists other prescription products such as Rosuvastatin Overview and Ezetimibe Overview, which are used for different lipid targets and have different safety considerations. If multiple therapies are used together, monitoring plans are typically tailored to the individual.

Pricing and Access

Fenofibrate is a prescription medication, so access depends on having an appropriate prescription and a clinician-supervised treatment plan. Coverage rules vary across insurers and plans, and some plans apply prior authorization or step therapy for lipid medicines. Generic fenofibrate is widely available in many markets, while certain brand-name versions may have different formulary status.

Some people compare pharmacy options and consider cash-pay scenarios, including situations without insurance, but exact out-of-pocket amounts depend on dosage form, pharmacy pricing, and local rules. When needed, CanadianInsulin.com helps verify prescription details with the prescriber before referral. Dispensing is handled by licensed third-party pharmacies where permitted by local rules. General program updates may be listed on the Promotions Page.

If fenofibrate 145 mg is being continued from a prior prescription, it can help to confirm the exact formulation, current kidney function results, and any recent medication changes, since these factors can affect what the prescriber considers appropriate.

Authoritative Sources

For official labeling details such as indications and contraindications, review the information on DailyMed fenofibrate labeling.

For patient-friendly safety guidance and counseling points, see MedlinePlus fenofibrate information.

Where permitted and clinically appropriate, fulfillment logistics may include prompt, express, cold-chain shipping based on pharmacy policies and destination.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.