FIBRICOR (fenofibric acid) tablets
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Triglycerides & Cholesterol

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What are Triglycerides, and why do they matter?1

  • Triglycerides are a type of lipid, or fat, found in your blood. When you eat, calories that are not used immediately are converted into triglycerides, which are stored in your fat cells to be released later when needed for energy.
  • People who regularly eat more calories than they burn, especially from foods that are high in carbohydrates, may have high triglycerides, which is called hypertriglyceridemia.
  • High triglycerides can contribute to arteriosclerosis and pancreatitis, and may be a sign of other health issues.
  • High triglycerides can by lowered by making healthy lifestyle choices, such as exercising regularly, losing weight, avoiding refined carbohydrates, choosing healthier fats, and limiting alcohol consumption.
  • Your doctor may also prescribe medication to lower your triglycerides.

Triglycerides by the numbers2

The triglyceride level is determined by a blood test that measures the amount of triglycerides in your blood. As normal value ranges can vary among different laboratories, you should talk to your doctor about what your test results mean.

NORMAL BORDERLINE HIGH HIGH VERY HIGH
Less than 150 mg/dL 150 to 199 mg/dL 200 to 499 mg/dL 500 mg/dL or above

What is cholesterol, and why does it matter?3

  • Cholesterol is another type of lipid found in your blood. Your body uses it to make hormones, vitamin D, and substances that help your body digest foods and build cells.
  • Your body makes plenty of cholesterol on its own, but cholesterol is also found in foods from animal sources, like meat, cheese, and egg yolks. Eating too much of these foods can result in too much cholesterol in your blood.
  • HDL (high-density lipoprotein) is often called “good” cholesterol, because it carries cholesterol back to the liver which removes it from your body.
  • LDL (low-density lipoprotein) is often called “bad” cholesterol, because a high LDL level leads to the buildup of plaque in your arteries.
  • High cholesterol can be lowered by making healthy lifestyle choices, such as healthy eating, weight management, regular physical activity, and quitting smoking.
  • Your doctor may also prescribe medication to lower your cholesterol.

Cholesterol by the numbers

You and your doctor should work together to set your cholesterol goals. Your history and risk factor profile play a role in setting targets and utilizing medicines and doses to achieve them. Guidelines can change as further research is conducted. General targets are:

LDL HDL Total Cholesterol
70 to 130 mg/dL
(lower numbers are better)		 More than 50 mg/dL
(higher numbers are better)		 Less than 200 mg/dL
(lower numbers are better)

References:

  1. Mayo Clinic. Triglycerides: Why do they matter? https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/triglycerides/art-20048186
  2. Mount Sinai. Triglyceride Level. https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/tests/triglyceride-level
  3. NIH U.S. National Library of Medicine. Cholesterol. https://medlineplus.gov/cholesterol.html
  4. Mount Sinai. High blood cholesterol levels. https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol-levels

FIBRICOR® (fenofibric acid) Important Safety Information

FIBRICOR® is contraindicated in patients with severe renal impairment including those on dialysis, with active liver disease including primary biliary cirrhosis and unexplained persistent liver function abnormalities and with gallbladder disease. FIBRICOR is also contraindicated in nursing mothers and patients with hypersensitivity to fenofibric acid or fenofibrate.

The most commonly reported adverse reactions (>2% and at least 1% greater than placebo) are abnormal liver tests, increased AST, increased ALT, increased CPK, and rhinitis.

Fenofibrate can increase serum transaminases. Monitor liver tests, including ALT, periodically during therapy. In addition, myopathy and rhabdomyolysis have been reported in patients taking fenofibrate. Fibrates increase the risk for myopathy and have been associated with rhabdomyolysis. The risk for serious muscle toxicity appears to be increased in elderly patients and in patients with diabetes, renal failure, or hypothyroidism. Patients should be advised to report promptly unexplained muscle pain, tenderness or weakness particularly if accompanied by malaise or fever. Creatine phosphokinase (CPK) levels should be assessed in these patients. Treatment should be discontinued if markedly elevated CPK levels occur or myopathy/myositis is suspected or diagnosed. Fenofibrate can reversibly increase serum creatinine levels. The clinical relevance of these findings is unknown. Patients with renal impairment and those at risk for renal insufficiency should be periodically monitored. Fenofibrates may increase cholesterol excretion into the bile, leading to risk of cholelithiasis. If cholelithiasis is suspected, gallbladder studies are indicated. Discontinue treatment if gallstones are found.

You are encouraged to report adverse reactions to Athena Bioscience, LLC at 1-833-874-2664 or to the FDA: 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Please see the accompanying Full Prescribing Information.