Timing of Fenofibrate Administration
Fenofibrate can be taken at any time of day—morning or night—as the timing does not impact its efficacy for lipid management. 1, 2
Administration Flexibility
- There is no specific time requirement for fenofibrate administration that affects its therapeutic effectiveness for treating dyslipidemia 1
- The medication can be administered as a single daily dose without time restrictions, whether using micronized fenofibrate (54-160 mg daily) or other formulations 1
- For patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia, fenofibrate can be administered once daily regardless of the time of day 1
Key Administration Considerations
Food Requirements
- Newer formulations (such as IDD-P fenofibrate tablets) provide bioavailability independent of food, eliminating the need to coordinate dosing with meals 3
- Older micronized and microcoated formulations historically required administration with meals to increase bioavailability, but this is less relevant with current formulations 3
Drug Interactions
- If combined with bile acid sequestrants, fenofibrate must be taken either ≥2 hours before or ≥4 hours after the bile acid sequestrant to prevent interference with absorption 4, 1, 2
- This is the only timing consideration that significantly impacts fenofibrate's effectiveness 1
Practical Recommendations
- Choose morning or evening based on patient preference and adherence patterns rather than pharmacologic necessity 1
- Consistency in timing (same time each day) may improve medication adherence, though this is a general principle rather than a specific requirement for fenofibrate
- The timing decision should prioritize when the patient is most likely to remember and consistently take the medication 1
Renal Monitoring (Unrelated to Timing)
While timing is flexible, renal function must be evaluated before fenofibrate initiation, within 3 months after starting, and every 6 months thereafter 4, 2