Lipofen (Fenofibrate) - Summary

LIPOFEN SUMMARY

LIPOFEN®
(fenofibrate capsules)

LIPOFEN™ (fenofibrate capsules), is a lipid regulating agent available as hard gelatin capsules for oral administration. Each hard gelatin capsule contains 50, 100 or 150 mg of fenofibrate.

LIPOFEN™ (fenofibrate capsules) is indicated for the following:

Treatment of Hypercholesterolemia

LIPOFEN™ is 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 intervention alone has been inadequate (see National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Treatment Guidelines, below).

Treatment of Hypertriglyceridemia

LIPOFEN™ is 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 LIPOFEN™ 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 hyperlipoproteinemia².

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).

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NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Published Studies Related to Lipofen (Fenofibrate)

Correlation of non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol with apolipoprotein B during simvastatin + fenofibrate therapy in patients with combined hyperlipidemia (a subanalysis of the SAFARI trial). [2009.08.15]
Guidelines have recommended non-high-density lipoprotein (non-HDL) cholesterol as a secondary target for therapy after the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol goals have been met in patients with hypertriglyceridemia; non-HDL cholesterol is viewed as a surrogate for apolipoprotein (Apo)B, an alternate end point of treatment.

Relationships of HDL cholesterol, ApoA-I, and ApoA-II with homocysteine and creatinine in patients with type 2 diabetes treated with fenofibrate. [2009.06]
CONCLUSIONS: PPAR alpha agonists that have a more robust effect on HDL-C and apoA-I would be desirable.

Effect of fenofibrate on amputation events in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (FIELD study): a prespecified analysis of a randomised controlled trial. [2009.05.23]
BACKGROUND: Amputations in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus substantially impair their quality of life and impose high costs on health-care systems. Our aim was to assess the effect of fenofibrate on amputation events in a large cohort of patients with type 2 diabetes... INTERPRETATION: Classic markers of macrovascular and microvascular risk were associated with lower extremity amputations in patients with type 2 diabetes. Treatment with fenofibrate was associated with a lower risk of amputations, particularly minor amputations without known large-vessel disease, probably through non-lipid mechanisms. These findings could lead to a change in standard treatment for the prevention of diabetes-related lower-limb amputations. FUNDING: Laboratoires Fournier SA (now part of Solvay Pharmaceuticals) and National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia.

Effect of fenofibrate on adiponectin and inflammatory biomarkers in metabolic syndrome patients. [2009.03]
Adiponectin is an adipose-secreted hormone with anti-inflammatory properties mediated by inhibition of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) signaling. This study investigates whether fenofibrate alters adiponectin levels in patients with hypertriglyceridemia and the metabolic syndrome, and examines the association of adiponectin with circulating inflammatory markers and whole blood cytokine production.

Efficacy and safety of coadministration of fenofibrate and ezetimibe compared with each as monotherapy in patients with type IIb dyslipidemia and features of the metabolic syndrome: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, three-parallel arm, multicenter, comparative study. [2009]
BACKGROUND: Patients with type IIb, or mixed, dyslipidemia have high levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) with predominance of small dense LDL particles, high levels of triglycerides (TG), and low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Fenofibrate significantly reduces TG and, more moderately, LDL-C, increases HDL-C and produces a shift from small to large LDL particle size; the main effect of ezetimibe is a reduction in LDL-C levels. Combined treatment with fenofibrate and ezetimibe may correct all the abnormalities of type IIb dyslipidemia. OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and safety of coadministration of fenofibrate (NanoCrystal(R)) and ezetimibe in patients with type IIb dyslipidemia and the metabolic syndrome compared with administration of fenofibrate and ezetimibe alone (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00349284; Study ID: CLF178P 04 01)... CONCLUSION: In patients with type IIb dyslipidemia and features of the metabolic syndrome, coadministration of fenofibrate 145 mg and ezetimibe 10 mg daily was more effective than either monotherapy in reducing LDL-C, non-HDL-C, apolipoprotein B, and cardiovascular risk ratios, and was as effective as fenofibrate 145 mg alone in reducing TG and in increasing HDL-C in patients with low baseline HDL-C levels.

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Clinical Trials Related to Lipofen (Fenofibrate)

A Study to Evaluate Daily Pravastatin, Fenofibrate or Pravafen in the Treatment of Combined Hyperlipidemia [Active, not recruiting]
This is a multi-center, double blind, prospective, longitudinal, randomized, 12-week study with a 52-week open-label follow-up to evaluate the safety and efficacy of daily administration of Pravastatin 40 mg or Fenofibrate 160 mg or Pravafen (the combination of both Pravastatin and Fenofibrate 40/160 mg) in the treatment of combined hyperlipidemia. There will be an open-label, 8-week, Selection Phase prior to randomization in which all patients will be stabilized on Pravastatin 40 mg/day. Following the Selection Phase, and if the patients meet all inclusion/exclusion criteria, they will be randomized to a three arm, double blind, 12-week Efficacy Phase during which they would receive either Pravastatin 40 mg or Fenofibrate 160 mg or Pravafen (the combination of Pravastatin and Fenofibrate 40/160 mg). The 12-week Efficacy Phase will be followed by an open-label, 52-week, Safety Phase in which all patients will receive Pravafen.

After the 8-week Selection Phase, patients that still meet the inclusion/exclusion criteria will be randomized on a 1: 1:2 ratio to Pravastatin 40 mg or Fenofibrate 160 mg or Pravafen (the combination of both Pravastatin and Fenofibrate 40/160 mg) for 12 weeks. After the completion of the 12-week double-blind phase of the study, all patients that haven't had changes in their well being, will be allowed to roll-over into the 52-week, open-label, follow-up portion of the study. During the 52 week, open label, Safety Phase of the study, all patients will receive Pravafen (the combination of Pravastatin and Fenofibrate 40/160 mg).

Patients will be evaluated at baseline and every three weeks thereafter throughout the initial 12-week Efficacy Phase of the study. Patients that roll-over into the 52-week, open-label, follow-up Safety Phase will be evaluated at 12, 24, 36 and 52 weeks.

Participation in the study can be up to 72 weeks.

Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety of Omacor (Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters) as Add-on Therapy in Hypertriglyceridemic Subjects Treated With Antara (Fenofibrate) Followed by 2 Extensions [Completed]
To evaluate efficacy and safety of Omacor (omega-3-acid ethyl esters) as add-on therapy to Antara (fenofibrate) and diet for the treatment of patients with very high triglycerides.

Safety and Effectiveness of Fenofibrate and Pravastatin in HIV-Positive Patients With Abnormal Blood Lipids [Completed]
The purpose of this study is to compare the safety and effectiveness of fenofibrate and pravastatin in treating HIV-positive patients who have abnormal levels of fat (lipids) in the blood.

Increased lipids in the blood associated with HIV infection and anti-HIV drugs is a growing problem. The drugs used in this study are known to reduce certain lipids, but little is known about their safety and effectiveness. This study will see if one of the drugs is safer and more effective than the other, or if combining the drugs is the safest and most effective way to lower lipids. This study has been changed. On June 26, 2001, this study was reviewed by the Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB). The DSMB is an independent board monitoring the progress of the study. The review showed that neither pravastatin nor fenofibrate alone were effective in reaching all the cholesterol and triglyceride goals. There were no safety concerns. It is not known if the combination of fenofibrate and pravastatin is effective and safe. Therefore, it is important to continue this study.

Rosiglitazone And Fenofibrate Additive Effects on Lipids (RAFAEL) [Recruiting]
The design of the study will be randomized, double blind trial, which will examine the effects of Rosiglitazone on the fasting triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), HDL particle size, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), LDL particle size, and plasma concentrations of apolipoproteins A-I, A-II, and C-III, function compared to Fenofibrate and placebo. This study will also assess the synergistic effect of Rosiglitazone and Fenofibrate on the same parameters. Data from this study will help clarify whether Rosiglitazone favorably impacts plasma lipid and lipoprotein concentrations through improving insulin sensitivity and glycemic control, or by directly influencing the synthesis of the apolipoproteins that are responsible for very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and HDL metabolism.

The Effect of Fish Oil Plus Fenofibrate on Triglyceride Levels in People Taking Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) [Completed]
The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of fish oil supplements combined with the drug fenofibrate in treating elevated triglyceride levels in people taking anti-HIV drugs. The participants in this study will have shown no response to fish oil supplements or fenofibrate alone.

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