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Clofibrate Brand Name
What is Clofibrate
NOTE: This drug is discontinued in the US.
Clofibrate is an older, orally administered antilipemic agent. The drug is a fibric acid derivative, structurally related to gemfibrozil.
Clofibrate’s antilipemic properties were discovered in 1962. Despite its ability to lower triglyceride concentrations, clofibrate is seldom used today due to lack of demonstrated benefit in preventing atherosclerosis.
Clofibrate was given FDA approval in 1967.
Indications
- diabetes insipidus
- hyperlipoproteinemia
- hypertriglyceridemia
For use as an adjunct to diet for the treatment of hypertriglyceridemia including Fredrickson type IV hyperlipoproteinemia (elevated triglycerides and VLDL) and type V (elevated triglycerides, chylomicrons, and VLDL) in patients with a significant risk of coronary disease or who are at risk of developing pancreatitis
NOTE: Because clofibrate has been associated with serious adverse effects in two large clinical trials, alternative antilipemic agents should be considered in individual patients.
NOTE: Patients with hypertriglyceridemia who are at increased risk for developing pancreatitis typically have serum triglyceride concentrations greater than 2000 mg/dL, and have elevations of VLDL-cholesterol. Patients who have hypertriglyceridemia in the range of 1000 to 2000 mg/dL and who have a history of pancreatitis (or abdominal pain typical of pancreatitis) may also be at increased risk.
NOTE: Clofibrate is not indicated for patients with Type I (rare) hyperlipoproteinemia who have elevated chylomicrons, triglycerides, but who have normal VLDL concentrations. Inspection of plasma refrigerated for 14 hours is helpful in distinguishing Types I (rare), IV, and V (rare) hyperlipoproteinemia.
Side Effects
- alopecia
- anemia
- angina
- cholelithiasis
- diarrhea
- eosinophilia
- fever
- hepatoma
- impotence (erectile dysfunction)
- interstitial nephritis
- leukopenia
- libido decrease
- myalgia
- nausea
- pancreatitis
- proteinuria
- vomiting
- weakness
Monitoring Parameters
- serum cholesterol profile
- serum creatinine/BUN
- serum triglycerides
Contraindications
- biliary cirrhosis
- breast-feeding
- cardiac disease
- children
- cholelithiasis
- gallbladder disease
- geriatric
- hepatic disease
- hypothyroidism
- peptic ulcer disease
- pregnancy
- renal disease
- renal failure
- renal impairment
Interactions
No information is available regarding drug interactions associated with Clofibrate