Antara
(fenofibrate)
Lowers cholesterol and triglycerides.
Our bottom line
Antara (fenofibrate) is effective at lowering triglyceride and cholesterol levels, but may cause liver problems and muscle pain.
- Price before coupon$52.85
- Lowest price with coupon$10.2881% savings
- Drug class: Cardiovascular
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (fenofibrate)
Upsides
- Antara (fenofibrate) can reduce triglycerides by about 20-50%.
- Although not as effective at lowering triglycerides, Antara (fenofibrate) can lower "bad" cholesterol (LDL) and raise "good" cholesterol (HDL).
- There is a less expensive generic version available.
- You only need to take it once a day, with or without food.
What to expect from Antara, on one page
Downsides
- Not as effective as statins in lowering cholesterol levels. You shouldn't take Antara (fenofibrate) by itself to lower cholesterol.
- Drinking large amounts of alcohol regularly while taking Antara (fenofibrate) can increase your risk of liver damage.
- Tell your doctor if you have a history of gallbladder, liver or kidney disease. Antara (fenofibrate) might not be the best choice to lower your triglyceride levels.
- Antara (fenofibrate) can interact with other medications such as warfarin, colchicine, and sulfonylureas.
- Antara (fenofibrate) was not shown to reduce rates of death in people with type 2 diabetes.
What to expect from Antara, on one page
Antara (fenofibrate) is a cholesterol and triglyceride-lowering medication. These are fats that can accumulate in your blood and tissues leading to heart and artery disease.
- Drug class: Cardiovascular
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (fenofibrate)
Dosage forms
- Pill
Prices and coupons
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What to expect when you take Antara (fenofibrate) for High cholesterol
Skip what to expect section. Skip to side effects section.- First few hoursHoursFirst few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonths
- Effectiveness
- Starts to kick inFull effects
- First few hoursHoursFirst few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonths
- Possible side effects
- Headache
- Stomach pain
- Nausea
- Back pain
- Abnormal liver function tests
- Constipation
It can take time for a drug to start working, or for some side effects to go away.
Source: FDA product label and Iodine pharmacistsSide effect rates for Antara (fenofibrate)
- Abnormal liver function tests8%8%1%1%
- Respiratory disorder6%6%6%6%
- Stomach pain5%5%4%4%
- Back pain3%3%3%3%
- Headache3%3%3%3%
- Increased AST3%3%1%1%
- Increased ALT3%3%2%2%
- Increased creatine phosphokinase3%3%1%1%
- Nausea2%2%2%2%
- Constipation2%2%1%1%
- Hay fever2%2%1%1%
The placebo bar shows how common a side effect was for people taking a sugar pill instead of Antara.
People taking Antara felt side effect more
People taking Antara felt side effect less
Manufacturers don’t say how common these side effects are when taking Antara for high cholesterol
- Muscle pain
- Muscle injury
- Inflammation of pancreas
- Kidney failure
- Muscle spasms
- Liver inflammation
- Liver scarring
- Anemia
- Joint pain
- Abnormal physical weakness
- Decreased HDL Cholesterol
Risks and Warnings for Antara (fenofibrate)
Skip risks section. Skip to common concerns section.- Higher risk if:
- › Taking Antara (fenofibrate) with statins
- › Elderly patients
- › Patients with diabetes
- › Patients with a history of renal failure.
People taking Antara (fenofibrate) have reported muscle pain, which may lead to muscle and kidney damage. Talk to your doctor if you develop sudden and unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness and, fever or dark-colored urine.
Common concerns from people taking Antara (fenofibrate)
Final section. Do you want to return to drug navigation?- Antara (fenofibrate) can interact with other medications such as warfarin, colchicine, and sulfonylureas.
- Drinking large amounts of alcohol regularly while taking Antara (fenofibrate) can increase your risk of liver damage.
- You only need to take it once a day, with or without food.
- There have been reports of liver damage with the use of Antara (fenofibrate), especially in people with a history of liver disease. Your doctor may monitor your liver with blood tests on a regular basis. Contact your doctor if you are feeling tired, have stomach pain, abdominal pain, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.
- If you notice signs of liver problems (dark urine, feeling tired, stomach pain, throwing up, yellow skin or eyes), pancreas problems (severe stomach pain, back pain, or upset stomach) or gallstones (sudden pain in the abdomen area, yellow skin/eyes, or fever with chills), tell your doctor immediately.
- Tell your doctor if you have a history of gallbladder, liver or kidney disease. Antara (fenofibrate) might not be the best choice to lower your triglyceride levels.