A fibrate to lower triglycerides and cholesterol
Ciprofibrate
A tablet from the fibrate group used to lower raised blood fats, particularly triglycerides, and to help cholesterol.
What is Ciprofibrate?
Ciprofibrate is a medicine used to lower raised fats in the blood. It belongs to a group called fibrates, which are especially good at lowering triglycerides, a type of blood fat, and can also improve cholesterol levels. It is taken by mouth as a tablet, usually when diet and lifestyle changes have not been enough, sometimes alongside or instead of a statin. The most common side effects are tummy upsets, and it can occasionally affect the muscles or liver, so blood tests are used to keep an eye on these. It needs care when combined with statins or certain other medicines.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Ciprofibrate — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Ciprofibrate is a lipid-lowering medicine, meaning it lowers fats in the blood. It belongs to the fibrate group, which is particularly useful for lowering triglycerides, one type of blood fat, and can also help raise the 'good' cholesterol and lower other harmful fats. It is taken by mouth as a tablet. It is generally used when diet and lifestyle changes alone have not brought blood fats under control, especially when triglycerides are high. It may be used on its own or, with care, alongside other lipid-lowering medicines such as statins.
How it works
Ciprofibrate works mainly in the liver, where it switches on a control system that increases the breakdown of triglycerides and changes how the body handles fats. This lowers the level of triglycerides in the blood and can also nudge cholesterol levels in a healthier direction. By improving the balance of fats in the blood, it is used to reduce the risks linked to high blood fats. Because it affects the liver and can occasionally affect muscle tissue, blood tests are used to make sure it is being tolerated well, especially if it is combined with a statin.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Generic (long-established).
A medicine used in the UK to lower raised fats in the blood, particularly triglycerides, taken by mouth.
What it treats
Conditions Ciprofibrate is used for
Practical use
How to take Ciprofibrate
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Take the tablet by mouth as prescribed, at about the same time each day.
- Keep up the diet and lifestyle changes you have been advised, as these work alongside the medicine.
- Report any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness or weakness promptly, especially if you also take a statin.
- Attend your blood tests, which check how your blood fats, liver and muscles are responding.
- Tell your prescriber about other medicines, particularly statins and blood-thinning tablets.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Ciprofibrate
Advantages
- Particularly effective at lowering triglycerides, a type of blood fat.
- Can also help improve cholesterol levels alongside lowering triglycerides.
- Taken by mouth as a tablet, and can be used when statins alone are not enough.
Disadvantages
- Can occasionally affect the muscles, especially when combined with a statin.
- Can occasionally affect the liver, so blood tests are needed.
- May increase the effect of blood-thinning medicines such as warfarin.
Practical use
Good to know
A key point is that fibrates such as ciprofibrate are particularly good at lowering triglycerides, so they are often chosen when this blood fat is high, rather than as a first choice when only cholesterol is raised, where a statin is usually preferred. The most common side effects are mild tummy upsets. An important safety point is that, like statins, fibrates can occasionally affect the muscles, and the risk is higher when a fibrate and a statin are taken together, so any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness or weakness should be reported promptly. It can also occasionally affect the liver, so blood tests are used to check this. It can interact with blood-thinning medicines such as warfarin, increasing their effect, so this is monitored. Diet and lifestyle remain an important part of treatment alongside it.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People who have had a serious allergic reaction to ciprofibrate or other fibrates should not take it.
- It is avoided in people with severe liver or kidney problems, and in those with gallbladder disease, under medical guidance.
- It is generally avoided in pregnancy and breastfeeding, and used with care alongside statins, decided by your prescriber.
Monitoring
- Blood tests to check how your triglycerides and cholesterol are responding.
- Checking liver function during treatment.
- Watching for muscle symptoms, and closer monitoring of clotting if you also take a blood thinner.
Side effects
- Tummy upset such as nausea, diarrhoea or wind.
- Muscle aches or pains, with rare cases of more serious muscle problems, especially when combined with a statin.
- Occasionally, changes in liver blood tests, and rarely gallstones.
Key interactions
- Taken with a statin, the risk of muscle problems rises, so this combination is used and monitored carefully.
- It can increase the effect of blood-thinning medicines such as warfarin, so clotting tests may need closer monitoring.
- Tell your prescriber about all your medicines, as a full list helps keep treatment safe.
Available as: Tablets taken by mouth.
Answers
Ciprofibrate: frequently asked questions
What is ciprofibrate used for?
It is used to lower raised fats in the blood, particularly triglycerides, and can also help improve cholesterol, usually when diet and lifestyle changes have not been enough.
How is it different from a statin?
Statins mainly lower cholesterol, while fibrates such as ciprofibrate are especially good at lowering triglycerides, so the choice depends on which blood fat is raised.
What muscle symptoms should I watch for?
Report any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness or weakness promptly, as fibrates can occasionally affect the muscles, especially if you also take a statin.
Why do I need blood tests?
Blood tests check how your blood fats are responding and keep an eye on your liver and muscles, which fibrates can occasionally affect.
Does it interact with warfarin?
It can increase the effect of blood-thinning medicines such as warfarin, so your clotting may need closer monitoring; tell your prescriber what you take.
Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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