INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Treatment of Hypercholesterolemia
Fenofibrate tablets are indicated as adjunctive therapy to diet to reduce elevated LDL-C, Total-C, Triglycerides and Apo B, and to increase HDL-C in adult patients with primary hypercholesterolemia or mixed dyslipidemia (Fredrickson Types IIa and IIb). Lipid-altering agents should be used in addition to a diet restricted in saturated fat and cholesterol when response to diet and non-pharmacological interventions alone has been inadequate (see
National Cholesterol Education Program [NCEP] Treatment Guidelines, below).
Treatment of Hypertriglyceridemia
Fenofibrate tablets are also indicated as adjunctive therapy to diet for treatment of adult patients with hypertriglyceridemia (Fredrickson Types IV and V hyperlipidemia). Improving glycemic control in diabetic patients showing fasting chylomicronemia will usually reduce fasting triglycerides and eliminate chylomicronemia thereby obviating the need for pharmacologic intervention.
Markedly elevated levels of serum triglycerides (e.g. >2,000 mg/dL) may increase the risk of developing pancreatitis. The effect of fenofibrate tablets therapy on reducing this risk has not been adequately studied.
Drug therapy is not indicated for patients with Type I hyperlipoproteinemia, who have elevations of chylomicrons and plasma triglycerides, but who have normal levels of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL). Inspection of plasma refrigerated for 14 hours is helpful in distinguishing Types I, IV and V hyperlipoproteinemia
2.
The initial treatment for dyslipidemia is dietary therapy specific for the type of lipoprotein abnormality. Excess body weight and excess alcoholic intake may be important factors in hypertriglyceridemia and should be addressed prior to any drug therapy. Physical exercise can be an important ancillary measure. Diseases contributory to hyperlipidemia, such as hypothyroidism or diabetes mellitus should be looked for and adequately treated. Estrogen therapy, thiazide diuretics and beta-blockers, are sometimes associated with massive rises in plasma triglycerides, especially in subjects with familial hypertriglyceridemia. In such cases, discontinuation of the specific etiologic agent may obviate the need for specific drug therapy of hypertriglyceridemia.
The use of drugs should be considered only when reasonable attempts have been made to obtain satisfactory results with non-drug methods. If the decision is made to use drugs, the patient should be instructed that this does not reduce the importance of adhering to diet (see
WARNINGS
and
PRECAUTIONS
).
Fredrickson Classification of Hyperlipoproteinemias
Type
Lipoprotein Elevated
Lipid Elevation
Major
Minor
C = cholesterol
TG = triglycerides
LDL = low density lipoprotein
VLDL = very low density lipoprotein
IDL = intermediate density lipoprotein
I (rare)
chylomicrons
TG
C
IIa
LDL
C
-
IIb
LDL, VLDL
C
TG
III (rare)
IDL
C, TG
-
IV
VLDL
TG
C
V (rare)
Chylomicrons, VLDL
TG
C
NCEP Treatment Guidelines: LDL-C Goals and Cutpoints for Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes and Drug Therapy in Different Risk Categories
LDL Level at Which to Initiate
Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes
(mg/ dL)
LDL Level at Which
Consider Drug Therapy
(mg/ dL)
Risk Category
LDL Goal
(mg/dL)
CHD
CHD = coronary heart disease or CHD risk equivalents (10-year risk > 20%)
< 100
100
130
(100-129: drug optional)
Some authorities recommend use of LDL-lowering drugs in this category if an LDL-C level of < 100 mg/dL cannot be achieved by therapeutic lifestyle changes. Others prefer use of drugs that primarily modify triglycerides and HDL-C, e.g., nicotinic acid or fibrate. Clinical judgment also may call for deferring drug therapy in this subcategory.
2+ Risk Factors (10-year risk
20%)
< 130
130
10-year risk
10%- 20%:
130
10-year risk
< 10%:
160
0 to 1 Risk Factor
Almost all people with 0 to 1 risk factor have 10-year risk < 10 %; thus, 10-year risk assessment in people with 0 to 1 risk factor is not necessary.
< 160
160
190
(160-189: LDL-lowering drug optional)
After the LDL-C goal has been achieved, if the TG is still
200 mg/dL, non HDL-C (total-C minus HDL-C) becomes a secondary target of therapy. Non-HDL-C goals are set 30 mg/dL higher than LDL-C goals for each risk category.