Formulary
Bezafibrate: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Fibrates act by decreasing serum triglycerides; they have variable effect on LDL-cholesterol.
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Bezafibrate: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Fibrates act by decreasing serum triglycerides; they have variable effect on LDL-cholesterol.
Drug action
Fibrates act by decreasing serum triglycerides; they have variable effect on LDL-cholesterol.
Indications and dose
**Adjunct to diet and other appropriate measures in mixed hyperlipidaemia if statin contra-indicated or not tolerated,Adjunct to diet and other appropriate measures in severe hypertriglyceridaemia**
- **Adult** (By Mouth Using Immediate-Release Medicines): 200 mg 3 times a day.
- **Adult** (By Mouth Using Modified-Release Medicines): 400 mg once daily, modified-release dose form is not appropriate in patients with renal impairment.
**Hyperlipidaemia including familial hypercholesterolaemia (administered on expert advice) for bezafibrate**
- **Child 10-17 years** (By mouth using immediate-release medicines): 200 mg once daily, increased if necessary up to 200 mg 3 times a day, to be adjusted according to response.
Cautions
Correct hypothyroidism before initiating treatment; risk factors for myopathy
Contraindications
Gall bladder disease; hypoalbuminaemia; nephrotic syndrome; photosensitivity to fibrates
Side effects
Common or very common Appetite decreased; gastrointestinal disorder Uncommon Acute kidney injury; alopecia; cholestasis; constipation; diarrhoea; dizziness; erectile dysfunction; gastrointestinal discomfort; headache; muscle complaints; muscle weakness; nausea; photosensitivity reaction; skin reactions Rare or very rare Cholelithiasis; depression; insomnia; interstitial lung disease; pancreatitis; pancytopenia; paraesthesia; peripheral neuropathy; rhabdomyolysis (increased risk in renal impairment); severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs); thrombocytopenic purpura
Interactions
**Other interactions (1):**
- Combinations with increased risk for nephrotoxicity Care should be taken when using ciclosporin together with other active substances that exhibit nephrotoxic synergy such as: aminoglycosides...
Pregnancy
Manufacturers advise avoid-no information available.
Breast feeding
Manufacturer advises avoid-no information available.
Hepatic impairment
Manufacturer advises avoid in significant impairment (except in fatty liver disease).
Renal impairment
Manufacturer advises avoid immediate-release preparations if creatinine clearance less than 15 mL/minute. Manufacturer advises avoid modified-release preparations if creatinine clearance less than 60 mL/minute. Myotoxicity Manufacturer advises special care needed in patients with renal disease, as progressive increases in serum creatinine concentration or failure to follow dosage guidelines may result in myotoxicity (rhabdomyolysis); discontinue if myotoxicity suspected or creatine kinase concentration increases significantly. Dose adjustments See Prescribing in renal impairment . Manufacturer advises reduce dose to 400 mg daily if creatinine clearance 40-60 mL/minute. Manufacturer advises reduce dose to 200 mg every 1-2 days if creatinine clearance 15-40 mL/minute.
Medicinal forms
Suspension,Tablet,Tablet
Clinical governance
**Author:** MedNext Clinical Team. **Clinical reviewer:** Dr Shameer Deen, MBBS, MS, MRCS. **Sources:** BNF, Indian Pharmacopoeia, CIMS India. **Correction:** Report errors at support@mednext.academy.
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