Prescription Drug Information: Fenofibrate

FENOFIBRATE- fenofibrate capsule
Cipla USA Inc.,

DESCRIPTION

Fenofibrate capsules, USP (micronized) are a lipid regulating agent available as capsules for oral administration. The chemical name for fenofibrate is 2-[4-(4-chlorobenzoyl) phenoxy]-2- methylpropanoic acid, 1-methylethyl ester with the following structural formula:

Fenofibrate Structural Formula
(click image for full-size original)

The molecular formula is C20 H21 O4 Cl and the molecular weight is 360.83; fenofibrate is insoluble in water. The melting point is 79° to 82°C. Fenofibrate, USP is a white solid which is stable under ordinary conditions.

Each 67 mg fenofibrate capsule contains the following inactive ingredients: lactose monohydrate, crospovidone, povidone, sodium lauryl sulfate, colloidal silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate, FD&C Blue No.1, FD&C Red No.3, D&C Yellow No.10, titanium dioxide and gelatin.

Each 134 mg fenofibrate capsule contains the following inactive ingredients: lactose monohydrate, crospovidone, povidone, sodium lauryl sulfate, colloidal silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate, FD&C Blue No.1, D&C Red No.28, titanium dioxide and gelatin.

Each 200 mg fenofibrate capsule contains the following inactive ingredients: lactose monohydrate, crospovidone, povidone, sodium lauryl sulfate, colloidal silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate, FD&C Blue No.1, FD&C Red No.40, FD&C Yellow No.6, titanium dioxide and gelatin.

The imprinting ink contains shellac, dehydrated alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, butyl alcohol, propylene glycol, strong ammonia solution, black iron oxide, potassium hydroxide and purified water.

USP dissolution test is pending.

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

A variety of clinical studies have demonstrated that elevated levels of total cholesterol (total-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and apolipoprotein B (apo B), an LDL membrane complex, are associated with human atherosclerosis. Similarly, decreased levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and its transport complex, apolipoprotein A (apo AI and apo AII) are associated with the development of atherosclerosis. Epidemiologic investigations have established that cardiovascular morbidity and mortality vary directly with the level of total-C, LDL-C, and triglycerides, and inversely with the level of HDL-C. The independent effect of raising HDL-C or lowering triglycerides (TG) on the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality has not been determined.

Fenofibric acid, the active metabolite of fenofibrate, produces reductions in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, total triglycerides and triglyceride rich lipoprotein (VLDL) in treated patients. In addition, treatment with fenofibrate results in increases in high density lipoprotein (HDL) and apoproteins apo AI and apo AII.

The effects of fenofibric acid seen in clinical practice have been explained in vivo in transgenic mice and in vitro in human hepatocyte cultures by the activation of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor α (PPARα). Through this mechanism, fenofibrate increases lipolysis and elimination of triglyceride-rich particles from plasma by activating lipoprotein lipase and reducing production of apoproteins C-III (an inhibitor of lipoprotein lipase activity). The resulting fall in triglycerides produces an alteration in the size and composition of LDL from small, dense particles (which are thought to be atherogenic due to their susceptibility to oxidation), to large buoyant particles. These larger particles have a greater affinity for cholesterol receptors and are catabolized rapidly. Activation of PPARα also induces an increase in the synthesis of apoproteins A-I, A-II and HDL-cholesterol.

Fenofibrate also reduces serum uric acid levels in hyperuricemic and normal individuals by increasing the urinary excretion of uric acid.

Pharmacokinetics /Metabolism

Clinical experience has been obtained with two different formulations of fenofibrate: a “micronized” and “non-micronized” formulation, which have been demonstrated to be bioequivalent. Comparisons of blood levels following oral administration of both formulations in healthy volunteers demonstrate that a single capsule containing 67 mg of the “micronized” formulation is bioequivalent to 100 mg of the “non-micronized” formulation. Three capsules containing 67 mg fenofibrate (micronized) are bioequivalent to a single 200 mg fenofibrate capsule (micronized).

Absorption

The absolute bioavailability of fenofibrate cannot be determined as the compound is virtually insoluble in aqueous media suitable for injection. However, fenofibrate is well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Following oral administration in healthy volunteers, approximately 60% of a single dose of radiolabelled fenofibrate appeared in urine, primarily as fenofibric acid and its glucuronate conjugate, and 25% was excreted in the feces. Peak plasma levels of fenofibric acid occur within 6 to 8 hours after administration.

The absorption of fenofibrate is increased when administered with food. With micronized fenofibrate, the absorption is increased by approximately 35% under fed as compared to fasting conditions.

Distribution

In healthy volunteers, steady-state plasma levels of fenofibric acid were shown to be achieved within 5 days of dosing with single oral doses equivalent to 67 mg fenofibrate and did not demonstrate accumulation across time following multiple dose administration. Serum protein binding was approximately 99% in normal and hyperlipidemic subjects.

Metabolism

Following oral administration, fenofibrate is rapidly hydrolyzed by esterases to the active metabolite, fenofibric acid; no unchanged fenofibrate is detected in plasma.

Fenofibric acid is primarily conjugated with glucuronic acid and then excreted in urine. A small amount of fenofibric acid is reduced at the carbonyl moiety to a benzhydrol metabolite which is, in turn, conjugated with glucuronic acid and excreted in urine.

In vivo metabolism data indicate that neither fenofibrate nor fenofibric acid undergo oxidative metabolism (e.g., cytochrome P450) to a significant extent.

Excretion

After absorption, fenofibrate is mainly excreted in the urine in the form of metabolites, primarily fenofibric acid and fenofibric acid glucuronide. After administration of radiolabelled fenofibrate, approximately 60% of the dose appeared in the urine and 25% was excreted in the feces.

Fenofibric acid is eliminated with a half-life of 20 hours, allowing once daily administration in a clinical setting.

Special Populations

Geriatrics

In elderly volunteers 77 to 87 years of age, the oral clearance of fenofibric acid following a single oral dose of fenofibrate was 1.2 L/h, which compares to 1.1 L/h in young adults. This indicates that a similar dosage regimen can be used in the elderly, without increasing accumulation of the drug or metabolites.

Pediatrics

Fenofibrate has not been investigated in adequate and well-controlled trials in pediatric patients.

Gender

No pharmacokinetic difference between males and females has been observed for fenofibrate.

Race

The influence of race on the pharmacokinetics of fenofibrate has not been studied however fenofibrate is not metabolized by enzymes known for exhibiting inter-ethnic variability. Therefore, inter-ethnic pharmacokinetic differences are very unlikely.

Renal Insufficiency

The pharmacokinetics of fenofibric acid was examined in patients with mild, moderate, and severe renal impairment. Patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance [CrCl] ≤ 30 mL/min) showed 2.7 fold increase in exposure for fenofibric acid and increased accumulation of fenofibric acid during chronic dosing compared to that of healthy subjects. Patients with mild to moderate renal impairment (CrCl 30 to 80 mL/min) had similar exposure but an increase in the half-life for fenofibric acid compared to that of healthy subjects. Based on these findings, the use of fenofibrate should be avoided in patients who have severe renal impairment and dose reduction is required in patients having mild to moderate renal impairment.

Hepatic Insufficiency

No pharmacokinetic studies have been conducted in patients having hepatic insufficiency.

Drug-drug Interactions

In vitro studies using human liver microsomes indicate that fenofibrate and fenofibric acid are not inhibitors of cytochrome (CYP) P450 isoforms CYP3A4, CYP2D6, CYP2E1, or CYP1A2. They are weak inhibitors of CYP2C8, CYP2C19 and CYP2A6, and mild-to-moderate inhibitors of CYP2C9 at therapeutic concentrations.

Potentiation of coumarin-type anticoagulants has been observed with prolongation of the prothrombin time/INR.

Bile acid sequestrants have been shown to bind other drugs given concurrently. Therefore, fenofibrate should be taken at least 1 hour before or 4 to 6 hours after a bile acid binding resin to avoid impeding its absorption. (See WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS).

Concomitant administration of a single dose of fenofibrate (administered as 3 X 67 mg fenofibrate capsules) with a single dose of pravastatin (40 mg) in 23 healthy subjects increased the mean Cmax and mean AUC for pravastatin by 13%. The Cmax and AUC of fenofibrate decreased by 2% and 1%, respectively, after concomitant pravastatin. The mean Cmax and AUC for 3α-hydroxy-iso-pravastatin increased by 29% and 26%, respectively.

Concomitant administration of a single dose of fenofibrate (equivalent to 145 mg fenofibrate) and a single dose of fluvastatin (40 mg) resulted in a small increase (approximately 15 to 16%) in exposure to (+)3R,5S-fluvastatin, the active enantiomer of fluvastatin.

A single dose of either pravastatin or fluvastatin had no clinically important effect on the pharmacokinetics of fenofibric acid.

Concomitant administration of fenofibrate (equivalent to fenofibrate 200 mg) with atorvastatin (20 mg) once daily for 10 days resulted in approximately 17% decrease (range from 67% decrease to 44% increase) in atorvastatin AUC values in 22 healthy males. The atorvastatin Cmax values were not significantly affected by fenofibrate. The pharmacokinetics of fenofibric acid were not significantly affected by atorvastatin.

Concomitant administration of fenofibrate (equivalent to fenofibrate 200 mg) once daily for 10 days with glimepiride (1 mg tablet) single dose simultaneously with the last dose of fenofibrate resulted in a 35% increase in mean AUC of glimepiride in healthy subjects. Glimepiride Cmax was not significantly affected by fenofibrate coadministration. There was no statistically significant effect of multiple doses of fenofibrate on glucose nadir or AUC with the baseline glucose concentration as the covariate after glimepiride administration in healthy volunteers. However, glucose concentrations at 24 hours remained statistically significantly lower after pretreatment with fenofibrate than with glimepiride alone. Glimepiride had no significant effect on the pharmacokinetics of fenofibric acid.

Concomitant administration of fenofibrate (54 mg) and metformin (850 mg) three times a day for 10 days resulted in no significant changes in the pharmacokinetics of fenofibric acid and metformin when compared with the two drugs administered alone in healthy subjects.

Concomitant administration of fenofibrate (equivalent to fenofibrate 200 mg) once daily for 14 days with rosiglitazone tablet (rosiglitazone maleate) (8 mg) once daily for 5 days, Day 10 through Day 14, resulted in no significant changes in the pharmacokinetics of fenofibric acid and rosiglitazone when compared with the two drugs administered alone in healthy subjects.

Clinical Trials

Hypercholesterolemia (Heterozygous Familial and Nonfamilial) and Mixed Dyslipidemia (Fredrickson Types IIa and IIb)

The effects of fenofibrate at a dose equivalent to 200 mg fenofibrate per day were assessed from four randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group studies including patients with the following mean baseline lipid values: total-C 306.9 mg/dL; LDL-C 213.8 mg/dL; HDL-C 52.3 mg/dL; and triglycerides 191.0 mg/dL. Fenofibrate therapy lowered LDL-C, total-C, and the LDL-C/HDL-C ratio. Fenofibrate therapy also lowered triglycerides and raised HDL-C (see Table 1).

Table 1: Mean Percent Change in lipid Parameters at End of Treatment *
*
Duration of study treatment was 3 to 6 months
p = <0.05 vs. Placebo

TreatmentGroup

Total-C

LDL-C

HDL-C

TG

Pooled Cohort

Mean baseline lipid values (n=646)

306.9 mg/dL

213.8 mg/dL

52.3 mg/dL

191.0mg/dL

All FEN (n=361)

-18.7%

-20.6%

+11.0%

-28.9%

Placebo (n=285)

-0.4%

-2.2%

+0.7%

+7.7%

Baseline LDL-C > 160 mg/dL and TG < 150 mg/dL (Type IIa)

Mean baseline lipid values (n=334)

307.7 mg/dL

227.7 mg/dL

58.1 mg/dL

101.7 mg/dL

All FEN (n=193)

-22.4%

-31.4%

+9.8%

-23.5%

Placebo (n=141)

+0.2%

-2.2%

+2.6%

+11.7%

Baseline LDL-C > 160 mg/dL and TG < 150 mg/dL (Type IIb)

Mean baseline lipid values (n=242)

312.8 mg/dL

219.8 mg/dL

46.7 mg/dL

231.9 mg/dL

All FEN (n=126)

-16.8%

-20.1%

+14.6%

-35.9%

Placebo (n=116)

-3.0%

-6.6%

+2.3%

+0.9%

In a subset of the subjects, measurements of apo B were conducted. Fenofibrate treatment significantly reduced apo B from baseline to endpoint as compared with placebo (-25.1% vs. 2.4%, p<0.0001, n=213 and 143 respectively).

Hypertriglyceridemia (Fredrickson Type IV and V)

The effects of fenofibrate on serum triglycerides were studied in two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials of 147 hypertriglyceridemia patients (Fredrickson Type IV and V). Patients were treated for eight weeks under protocols that differed only in that one entered patients with baseline triglyceride (TG) levels of 500 to 1,500 mg/dL, and the other TG levels of 350 to 500 mg/dL. In patients with hypertriglyceridemia and normal cholesterolemia with or without hyperchylomicronemia (Type IV/V hyperlipidemia), treatment with fenofibrate at dosages equivalent to 200 mg fenofibrate per day decreased primarily very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) triglycerides and VLDL cholesterol. Treatment of patients with type IV hyperlipoproteinemia and elevated triglycerides often results in an increase of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (see Table 2).

Table 2: Effects of Fenofibrate Capsules in Patients With Fredrickson Type IV/V Hyperlipidemia
*
= p<0.05 vs. Placebo

Study 1

Placebo

Fenofibrate Capsules

Baseline TG levels 350 to 499 mg/dL

N

Baseline (Mean)

Endpoint (Mean)

% Change (Mean)

N

Baseline (Mean)

Endpoint (Mean)

% Change (Mean)

Triglycerides

28

449

450

-0.5

27

432

223

-46.2*

VLDL Triglycerides

19

367

350

2.7

19

350

178

-44.1*

Total Cholesterol

28

255

261

2.8

27

252

227

-9.1 *

HDL Cholesterol

28

35

36

4

27

34

40

19.6 *

LDL Cholesterol

28

120

129

12

27

128

137

14.5

VLDL Cholesterol

27

99

99

5.8

27

92

46

-44.7 *

Study 2

Placebo

Fenofibrate Capsules

Baseline TG levels 350 to 499 mg/dL

N

Baseline (Mean)

Endpoint (Mean)

% Change (Mean)

N

Baseline (Mean)

Endpoint (Mean)

% Change (Mean)

Triglycerides

44

710

750

7.2

48

726

308

-54.5 *

VLDL Triglycerides

29

537

571

18.7

33

543

205

-50.6 *

Total Cholesterol

44

272

271

0.4

48

261

223

-13.8 *

HDL Cholesterol

44

27

28

5.0

48

30

36

22.9 *

LDL Cholesterol

42

100

90

-4.2

45

103

131

45.0 *

VLDL Cholesterol

42

137

142

11.0

45

126

54

-49.4 *

The effect of fenofibrate on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality has not been determined.

Page 1 of 4 1 2 3 4

RxDrugLabels.com provides trustworthy package insert and label information about marketed prescription drugs as submitted by manufacturers to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Package information is not reviewed or updated separately by RxDrugLabels.com. Every individual prescription drug label and package insert entry contains a unique identifier which can be used to secure further details directly from the U.S. National Institutes of Health and/or the FDA.

As a leading independent provider of trustworthy medication information, we source our database directly from the FDA's central repository of drug labels and package inserts under the Structured Product Labeling standard. RxDrugLabels.com provides the full prescription-only subset of the FDA's repository. Medication information provided here is not intended as a substitute for direct consultation with a qualified health professional.

Terms of Use | Copyright © 2024. All Rights Reserved.