When is the best time to take fenofibrate?

In this article:

• Best time to take fenofibrate
• Missed dose
• Side effects
• Maximizing benefits
• The bottom line

In this article

• Best time to take fenofibrate
• Missed dose
• Side effects
• Maximizing benefits
• The bottom line

If you have high cholesterol, your healthcare provider might prescribe a medication like fenofibrate. Also sold under the brand-name Tricor or Lipofen, this generic prescription drug is FDA approved to treat high triglyceride and high cholesterol levels. Some people wonder if there’s a best time of day to take fenofibrate. The answer is that any time is fine as long as you stay consistent about taking fenofibrate at the same time each day.

Best time to take fenofibrate

“It does not matter what time of the day fenofibrate is taken,” says Cynthia Odogwu, MD, a Maryland-based family medicine provider. “More than timing, what matters is that the medication is taken with a meal.” The drug label for Fenoglide, a brand-name form of fenofibrate, suggests taking the medication with a meal to increase absorption of the drug. This indicates that fenofibrate could be less effective on an empty stomach.

When it comes to timing, consistency also matters. “Take the medication the same time each day,” says JaLorean Hayes, MPH, BSN, a registered nurse based in Georgia. “Use alarms and cues that will help you stay on track with when you take the medication, regardless of the time you choose.”

Why take fenofibrate at night?

Some cholesterol-lowering drugs—such as the short-acting statins lovastatin, pravastatin, and simvastatin—should be taken at night. That’s because statins work by suppressing cholesterol production for a few hours, and cholesterol production peaks during sleep. But fenofibrate is not a statin, and it is long-lasting. It belongs to a class of medications called fibrates, which lower cholesterol by helping the body break down and remove triglycerides from the bloodstream. Although it can be taken any time of day with a meal, taking it at dinnertime may be more convenient or easier to remember for some people. 

Also, unlike statin drugs, fenofibrate is not known to cause fatigue. Of course, individual responses to drugs vary. If someone feels tired or achy after taking fenofibrate, taking it with the evening meal might be more advantageous than taking it before a full day of work or other activities. 

What if I miss a dose of fenofibrate?

“Missing a dose of fenofibrate does not carry any serious consequences,” says Dr. Odogwu. “If a dose is missed, it will be important to take the next dose [at] the usual time. There is no need to take double the dose to make up for a missed dose.”

Hayes points out that since fenofibrate is long-lasting, missing a dose is unlikely to have an adverse effect unless missed doses become a habit. In fact, fenofibrate has a 20-23 hour half-life, so a small amount of the drug is still in the body 24 hours after each dose. 

What are the side effects of fenofibrate?

The most common side effects reported in double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials of fenofibrate were: 

• Respiratory issues (6.2%)
• Liver problems (7.5%)
• Stomach pain (4.6%)
• Back pain (3.4%)
• Headache (3.2%)

There is no evidence that fenofibrate directly impacts sleep, but common side effects such as back pain or headache may contribute to general fatigue or impact the ability to sleep comfortably. 

It is essential to seek urgent medical attention if you experience any of these serious side effects of fenofibrate:

• Yellowing of the eyes or skin and/or dark urine or itchy skin (signs of liver disease)
• Muscle problems, such as unexplained muscle pain or weakness
• Severe abdominal pain, vomiting, or loss of appetite 
• Wheezing or trouble breathing
• Blistering or peeling skin rash
• Allergic reaction

If your body does not tolerate fenofibrate for any reason, your healthcare provider may suggest switching to another cholesterol-lowering medication such as atorvastatin, cholestyramine, colestipol, rosuvastatin, or gemfibrozil.

How do I get the most out of my fenofibrate?

The first way to get the most out of fenofibrate is to take it consistently, as prescribed. This drug’s effectiveness is based on taking it every day, at the same time of day, preferably with food. “Studies have shown that when fenofibrate is taken with a meal, the absorption of the medicine increases by about 58% compared to on an empty stomach,” says Dr. Odogwu.

Fenofibrate treats high cholesterol or high triglyceride levels, so it’s also important to make lifestyle choices that support rather than undermine the drug. Lifestyle changes that will help you get the most out of this cholesterol-lowering treatment include:

• Eating a low-cholesterol diet. Dr. Odogwu says that means eating more high-fiber foods like legumes, leafy greens, berries, and apples—and less saturated fat, which is found in greasy, processed foods. 
• Exercising regularly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that adults get 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity weekly. This is achievable by running, jogging, cycling, or swimming for 20 minutes per day or 28 minutes on weekdays.
• Avoiding alcohol. It is generally recommended to cut back on alcohol while taking fenofibrate since heavy alcohol intake is linked to an increased risk of high triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels. (Unlike high-density lipoprotein, or HDL, LDL cholesterol is considered “bad” cholesterol.)
• Sharing a list of all over-the-counter medications and dietary supplements you take with your provider. This can help you avoid drug interactions while taking fenofibrate.

While there is no way to make fenofibrate work faster, taking your medication at the same time each day with food, eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and limiting alcohol intake can maximize this drug’s effectiveness. Dr. Odogwu says it takes about six to eight weeks for blood lipid levels to reach a healthier range from fenofibrate, so be patient. You probably won’t notice any physical changes as fenofibrate takes effect, so continue taking your medicine as directed until follow-up bloodwork. 

The bottom line 

While there is no “best” time of day to take fenofibrate, it is important to take it consistently at the same time each day. Taking fenofibrate with food, especially fatty foods such as eggs, fatty fish, nuts, or full-fat yogurt, can improve absorption. Individuals concerned about boosting the effectiveness of fenofibrate should also focus on cholesterol-lowering lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet and regular exercise. Consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice if you are concerned about fenofibrate dosing, timing, or side effects.