Bezafibrate helps lower your cholesterol and triglyceride (fat) levels in the blood.
Excessive cholesterol and triglycerides in your body can clog up your blood vessels. This can lead to many health problems such as stroke and heart diseases, including heart attack.
This medicine is meant to be taken as part of a complete cholesterol management programme that should include exercise, a healthy diet and lifestyle.
Take Bezafibrate exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
Take this medicine together with food or immediately after a meal. Try to take it at the same time each day.
Bezafibrate is available as a conventional tablet and prolonged-release or sustained-release tablet.
If you are taking the conventional tablet, swallow it whole with a glass of water.
If you are taking the prolonged-release or sustained-release type of tablet, swallow it whole. Do not divide, chew, or crush the tablet.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on your condition and your response to the medication.
Bezafibrate must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed by the doctor.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- known sunlight or artificial light sensitivity reactions when taking bezafibrate or similar medicines
- gallbladder problems
- low levels of albumin (certain type circulating protein in the blood)
- liver disease
- kidney disease or undergoing dialysis (a procedure that helps individuals with kidney failure to filter toxic substances from the blood)
as Bezafibrate may not be suitable for you.
Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant while on Bezafibrate therapy, alert your doctor immediately. This medicine may cause harm to your unborn child.
It is important that you do not get pregnant while taking Bezafibrate. You must use proven birth control methods during therapy with this medicine. You may wish to discuss reliable methods of birth control with your doctor.
Do not take this medicine if you are breastfeeding.
Do not take Bezafibrate with other cholesterol-lowering medicines known as statins if you have conditions that may increase your risk of muscle problems, such as an imbalance of essential minerals in the body, trauma, and severe infection.
Inform your doctor if you have a history of liver disease.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Bezafibrate to the elderly. Elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Routine tests (e.g. liver and renal function, blood cholesterol and sugar levels, complete blood count) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
- Regular monitoring for signs and symptoms of stone formation in the gallbladder and problems in the muscle may also be needed.
Bezafibrate may cause any of the following side effects: headache, dizziness, stomach pain or discomfort, stomach wind, diarrhoea, indigestion, rash, itching, and sensitivity of skin to sunlight and other sources of light.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- tiredness, unexplained muscle pain or weakness
- yellowing of the skin or the eyes, abdominal pain, dark coloured urine, swelling in the legs and ankles
- fever with chills, pain in the upper right abdominal area, right shoulder area or shoulder blades
This medicine may cause the level of your white blood cells and platelets to drop.
White blood cells help your body to fight infections. A fall in the level of your white blood cells may put you at higher risk for infections, such as coughs, colds and flu, which may lead to more serious infections. Avoid crowded places and people who are sick. Inform your doctor if you have a fever, cough, or flu that does not go away.
Platelets help your blood to clot when there is a cut in the skin. A fall in the level of your platelets may put you at risk of bleeding more than usual. Do not take part in activities where you may fall or get injured, such as contact sports. Inform your doctor if you get any unusual bruising (large bruises or several bruises, especially if the bruises appeared on their own) or bleeding that takes a long time to stop (for example, too much bleeding when you floss or brush your teeth).
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- other cholesterol-lowering medicines e.g. atorvastatin
- blood-thinning medicines e.g. warfarin
- medicines for diabetes e.g. insulin
- medicines used for organ transplants or certain immune disorders e.g. ciclosporin
- phenelzine (medicine to treat depression)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Bezafibrate.
Do not take this medicine with colestyramine (other cholesterol-lowering medicine). Colestyramine may reduce the effectiveness of Bezafibrate when taken at the same time. If you are taking colestyramine, take this medicine at least 2 hours before or after your colestyramine dose.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Protect from light.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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