{"id":630805,"date":"2025-01-17T09:30:22","date_gmt":"2025-01-17T14:30:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=630805"},"modified":"2025-01-07T12:48:08","modified_gmt":"2025-01-07T17:48:08","slug":"fenofibrate-and-alcohol","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/fenofibrate-and-alcohol\/","title":{"rendered":"Can you drink on fenofibrate?"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you have high triglyceride levels, your healthcare provider may prescribe<\/span> fenofibrate<\/span><\/a>. Also known by its brand names<\/span> TriCor<\/span><\/a> and Fenoglide, fenofibrate is a prescription drug that is FDA-approved for<\/span> high cholesterol<\/span><\/a> and severe hypertriglyceridemia (high blood triglyceride levels). It belongs to a class of drugs called fibrates and works by activating the effects of a protein called peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR\u03b1) to help clear cholesterol from the body. Fenofibrate is typically taken as a long-term treatment, so there may be times when you wonder if it\u2019s safe to have a drink while taking fenofibrate. While there is no direct interaction between fenofibrate and alcohol, it is generally recommended to limit the amount of alcohol you drink while taking the drug.<\/span><\/p>\n

Can you drink while taking fenofibrate?<\/span><\/h2>\n

It\u2019s generally recommended to limit alcohol consumption while on fenofibrate. Mixing large amounts of alcohol can reduce the benefits of fenofibrate. It may also increase the risk of certain side effects of fenofibrate.<\/span><\/p>\n

These risks typically only occur with heavy alcohol intake. Therefore, some healthcare providers may allow occasional drinking with fenofibrate. However, it\u2019s best to consult with a healthcare professional before you mix fenofibrate with alcohol.<\/span><\/p>\n

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What happens if you mix fenofibrate and alcohol?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Although there is no direct interaction between alcohol and fenofibrate, mixing the two has a few risks, including a high risk of certain side effects and reduced benefit of fenofibrate.<\/span><\/p>\n

High triglyceride levels<\/span><\/h3>\n

Studies<\/span><\/a> have shown that high alcohol intake is linked to high triglycerides. Because fenofibrate is sometimes used to lower triglycerides, drinking large amounts of alcohol during treatment can reduce the benefits of the drug or further increase your triglyceride levels.<\/span><\/p>\n

Overall, healthcare providers typically recommend <\/span>limiting alcohol<\/span><\/a> if you want to lower your triglyceride levels, and it\u2019s best to consult a healthcare professional before mixing alcohol and fenofibrate.<\/span><\/p>\n

Increased risk of liver damage<\/span><\/h3>\n

Heavy alcohol use can lead to <\/span>alcohol-associated liver disease<\/span><\/a>. This is because the liver breaks down alcohol. If more alcohol is consumed than the liver can process, the liver can become damaged.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to its <\/span>prescribing information<\/span><\/a>, fenofibrate can cause serious liver problems, including the need for liver transplantation or liver death. In fact, fenofibrate is contraindicated in people with active liver disease\u2014meaning healthcare providers won\u2019t prescribe the drug for people with this condition. Because alcohol and fenofibrate both carry this risk, mixing the two can make liver damage more likely.<\/span><\/p>\n

Increased risk of pancreatitis<\/span><\/h3>\n

Similarly, heavy alcohol intake has been <\/span>linked to<\/span><\/a> an increased risk of <\/span>pancreatitis<\/span><\/a>. Heavy alcohol intake includes drinking every day, frequent binge drinking\u2014which was defined as having at least five drinks in one setting\u2014and problematic alcohol use. Pancreatitis is a potentially serious side effect of fenofibrate. This means drinking too much alcohol can increase your risk of this side effect.<\/span><\/p>\n

Increased risk of bleeding<\/span><\/h3>\n

According to its prescribing information, fenofibrate is known to interact with coumarin blood thinners, such as Coumadin and Jantoven (<\/span>warfarin<\/span><\/a>). When taken together, prothrombin time (PT) and international normalized ratio (INR)\u2014which are blood tests that measure how long it takes your blood to clot\u2014can increase. When your PT\/INR is too high, this means your blood is too thin, and your risk of bleeding is elevated. Due to this interaction, healthcare providers may reduce your blood thinner dosage to keep your PT\/INR in the desired range.<\/span><\/p>\n

Similarly, moderate alcohol intake can also <\/span>thin the blood<\/span><\/a>. Therefore, combining alcohol, fenofibrate, and blood thinners may increase your risk of bleeding.<\/span><\/p>\n

Are certain people at greater risk of side effects?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Certain people are at higher risk of side effects than others when combining fenofibrate and alcohol. These include:<\/span><\/p>\n