Bezafibrate for hyperlipidaemia

About bezafibrate

Lipid is another word for fat. Cholesterol and triglycerides are types of lipid. When the concentration of lipids in your blood is too high, it is called hyperlipidaemia. Lipids are made naturally in our bodies and are also absorbed from the food we eat. If the levels of lipids are too high, the excess fat is deposited on to the walls of our blood vessels. This can lead to patches like small fatty lumps developing within the lining of some blood vessels. These patches can reduce the flow of blood and lead to heart disease, stroke, and blood circulation problems.

High levels of lipids do not make people feel ill, but they can cause the problems mentioned above if left untreated. By lowering the levels of fats, bezafibrate helps to prevent these long-term heart and circulation problems. Your treatment will be more successful if you also follow the healthy lifestyle advice given by your doctor.

It is likely that you will be prescribed bezafibrate if you have a high triglyceride level. It may also be given for other types of hyperlipidaemia, especially if other medicines (called statins) are not suitable for you.

Before taking bezafibrate

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking bezafibrate it is important that your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• Si está embarazada, esperando un bebé o en período de lactancia.

• If you have liver, kidney or gallbladder problems.

• Si tiene una glándula tiroides hipoactiva.

• Si está tomando otros medicamentos. Esto incluye cualquier medicamento que esté tomando y que pueda adquirirse sin receta, así como medicamentos a base de plantas y complementarios.

• Si alguna vez ha tenido una reacción alérgica a un medicamento.

How to take bezafibrate

• Before you start this treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. The leaflet will give you more information about the brand of bezafibrate that you have been given, and a full list of side-effects which are possible from taking it.

• Take bezafibrate exactly as your doctor has told you. Your doctor or pharmacist will tell you how often to take the tablets. This will be once daily if you have been given a prolonged-release tablet, and three times daily if not. Your dose will be on the label of the pack to remind you.

• Try to take bezafibrate at the same times of day each day, as this will help you to remember to take your doses. Take the tablets with or immediately after a meal.

• If you have been given prolonged-release tablets (Bezalip® Mono and Fibrazate® XL brands), it is important that you swallow the tablets whole - do not chew, crush, or break them.

• If you forget to take a dose, take one as soon as you remember unless it is nearly time for your next dose, in which case skip the missed dose. Do not take two doses at the same time to make up for a forgotten dose.

Aproveche al máximo su tratamiento

• Procure acudir a las citas periódicas con su médico. Así podrá comprobar su evolución.

• Your doctor will give you advice about eating a healthy diet, reducing the amount of salt in your diet, stopping smoking and taking regular exercise. Following this advice will also help you to reduce your risk of developing heart and blood vessel disease.

• Treatment with bezafibrate is usually long-term unless you experience an adverse effect. Continue to take the tablets unless you are advised otherwise by your doctor.

Can bezafibrate cause problems?

Además de sus efectos útiles, la mayoría de los medicamentos pueden producir efectos secundarios no deseados, aunque no todas las personas los sufran. Estos suelen mejorar a medida que el organismo se adapta al nuevo medicamento, pero hable con su médico o farmacéutico si alguno de los siguientes efectos secundarios persiste o se vuelve molesto.

Important: if you develop any muscle aches or pains, particularly in your legs, you should tell your doctor about it as soon as possible.

Si experimenta cualquier otro síntoma que considere que puede deberse a este medicamento, consulte a su médico o farmacéutico.

How to store bezafibrate

• Mantenga todos los medicamentos fuera del alcance y de la vista de los niños.

• Almacenar en un lugar fresco y seco, lejos del calor y la luz directos.

Información importante sobre todos los medicamentos