Antara

Generic name: Fenofibrate
Drug class: Fibric acid derivatives

Usage of Antara

Antara helps reduce cholesterol and triglycerides (fatty acids) in the blood. High levels of these types of fat in the blood are associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis (clogged arteries).

Antara may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Antara side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning in your eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling).

In rare cases, Antara can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, or dark colored urine.

Also call your doctor at once if you have:

sharp stomach pain spreading to your back or shoulder blade;

loss of appetite, stomach pain just after eating a meal;

jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

fever, chills, weakness, sore throat, mouth sores, unusual bruising or bleeding;

chest pain, sudden cough, wheezing, rapid breathing, coughing up blood; or

swelling, warmth, or redness in an arm or leg.

Common side effects of Antara may include:

runny nose, sneezing; or

abnormal laboratory tests.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Antara

You should not take Antara if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

severe kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);

liver disease; or

gallbladder disease.

Do not breast-feed while using this medicine, and for at least 5 days after your last dose.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

kidney disease;

liver disease; or

gallbladder problems.

Antara can cause the breakdown of muscle tissue, which can lead to kidney failure. This happens more often in women, in older adults, or people who have kidney disease, diabetes, or poorly controlled hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Antara is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

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How to use Antara

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Some brands of fenofibrate should be taken with meals to help your body better absorb the medicine. Other brands may be taken with or without food. Follow the directions on your medicine label.

Swallow the tablet or capsule whole and do not crush, chew, dissolve, or open it.

You may need frequent medical tests. Even if you have no symptoms, tests can help your doctor determine if Antara is effective.

Antara is only part of a complete program of treatment that may also include diet, exercise, weight control, and other medications. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

Warnings

You should not take Antara if you have liver disease, gallbladder disease, severe kidney disease, or if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Antara can cause the breakdown of muscle tissue, which can lead to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, or dark urine.

What other drugs will affect Antara

Some medicines can make Antara much less effective when taken at the same time. If you take any of the following medicines, take your this medicine dose 1 hour before or 4 to 6 hours after you take the other medicine.

cholestyramine;

colesevelam; or

colestipol.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

other cholesterol lowering medicines;

colchicine;

a blood thinner such as warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven; or

drugs that weaken the immune system such as cancer medicine, steroids, and medicines to prevent organ transplant rejection.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect Antara, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

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