Bezafibrate is used to lower cholesterol (mainly triglycerides) levels in your blood. Bezafibrate is usually used in combination with a statin in people with high triglyceride levels or it is prescribed when statins cannot be used to lower cholesterol.
In New Zealand bezafibrate is available as Bezalip® or modified-release tablets, Bezalip Retard®.
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Bezafibrate
Sounds like 'Be-za-fy-brate'
Key points about bezafibrate
- Bezafibrate is used to lower raised cholesterol.
- Bezafibrate is also called Bezalip or Bezalip Retard.
- Find out how to take it safely and possible side effects.
![blue unaunahi tile generic](/assets/Introduction-Images/blue_unaunahi_tile_generic.png)
- Your dose of bezafibrate will depend on whether you have been prescribed Bezalip® or Bezalip Retard®.
- The usual dose of Bezalip® is 200 milligrams three times daily, and the usual dose of Bezalip Retard® is 400 milligrams once daily.
- Always take your bezafibrate exactly as your doctor has told you. The pharmacy label on your medicine will tell you how much bezafibrate to take, how often to take it, and any special instructions.
Bezalip®
Bezalip® is taken 2 or 3 times daily, with or after food. Take Bezalip at about the same times each day. To reduce your cholesterol, you must keep taking bezafibrate every day.
Bezalip Retard®
Bezalip Retard® is taken once daily, with or after food. Swallow your tablets whole with a glass of water – do not chew, crush, or break them. To reduce your cholesterol, you must keep taking bezafibrate every day.
Here are some things to know when you're taking bezafibrate. Other things may be important as well, so ask your healthcare provider what you should know about.
- Other medicines: bezafibrate interacts with some medications, herbal supplements an rongoā Māori, so check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting bezafibrate and before starting any new products.
Like all medicines, bezafibrate can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Often side effects improve as your body gets used to the new medicine.
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Read more about medicines and side effects and reporting a reaction you think might be a side effect. |
The following links provide further information on bezafibrate.
Medsafe Consumer Information Sheets:
Bezalip(external link)
Bezalip Retard(external link)
References
- Bezafibrate(external link) New Zealand Formulary
Credits: Sandra Ponen, Pharmacist, Healthify He Puna Waiora. Healthify is brought to you by Health Navigator Charitable Trust.
Reviewed by: Angela Lambie, Pharmacist, Auckland
Last reviewed:
Page last updated: