Bezalip Sr

The recommended adult dose of Bezalip SR (Bezafibrate) is one 400 mg sustained-release tablet daily. Swallow the tablet whole with plenty of fluid, with or after meals. Do not chew or crush the tablet.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important to take Bezalip SR (Bezafibrate) exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store Bezalip SR (Bezafibrate) at room temperature, protect it from moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Each round, white, sustained-release, film-coated tablet printed on one side with "D9" contains 400 mg of Bezalip SR (Bezafibrate). Nonmedicinal ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose 2208 & 2910, lactose, magnesium stearate, methyl methacrylate, polyethyl acrylate, polyethylene glycol 10,000, polysorbate 80, povidone K25, sodium citrate, sodium lauryl sulfate, talc, and titanium dioxide.

Do not take Bezalip SR (Bezafibrate) if you:

• are allergic to Bezalip SR (Bezafibrate) or any ingredients of Bezalip SR (Bezafibrate)
• are allergic to other "fibrate" medications (e.g., clofibrate, Fenofibrate, Gemfibrozil)
• are breast-feeding
• are pregnant
• are taking a "statin" medication (e.g., Atorvastatin, Lovastatin, Simvastatin, Pravastatin) and have risk factors for muscle problems (e.g., reduced kidney function, severe infection, trauma, surgery, certain hormone or electrolyte imbalances)
• have a disorder known as type 1 hyperlipoproteinemia
• have gallbladder disease
• have had a reaction to any "fibrate" medication that involves a severe skin reaction, such as Sunburn
• have reduced kidney function
• have reduced liver function or primary biliary cirrhosis (damage to the liver cause by inflammation of the bile ducts)

There may be an interaction between Bezalip SR (Bezafibrate) and any of the following:

• Cholestyramine
• Colchicine
• Colestipol
• Cyclosporine
• Ezetimibe
• Linezolid
• monoamine oxidase inhibitors (M.O.S. e.g., Moclobemide, Phenelzine, Rasagiline, Selegiline, Tranylcypromine)
• raltegravir
• Rosiglitazone
• "statins" (e.g., atorvastatin, simvastatin, pravastatin, lovastatin)
• sulfonylureas (e.g., Glyburide, Gliclazide)
• Ursodiol
• Warfarin

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Bezalip SR (Bezafibrate). Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Bezalip SR (Bezafibrate).

Blood counts: Bezalip SR (Bezafibrate) may decrease the amount of hemoglobin (the part of red blood cells that carry oxygen), white blood cells (that help fight infection), and platelets (that help the blood to clot) during the first 12 months of treatment. Your doctor will monitor for these changes with blood tests during your first year of treatment.

Gallstones: Bezalip SR (Bezafibrate) may increase the risk for gallstones. If you experience symptoms of gallstones (e.g., persistent and severe upper abdominal pain, pain in the back between the shoulder blades, pain under the right shoulder, nausea, vomiting), contact your doctor immediately.

Liver function: Bezalip SR (Bezafibrate) may affect your liver function. You will have your liver function monitored regularly with blood tests while you are taking Bezalip SR (Bezafibrate). If you have had liver problems or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), discuss with your doctor how Bezalip SR (Bezafibrate) may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Bezalip SR (Bezafibrate), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Muscle problems: Very rarely, Bezalip SR (Bezafibrate) can cause muscle problems such as myositis (inflammation of the muscles) or rhabdomyolysis (breakdown of muscle that can cause kidney damage). If you experience any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness or weakness, especially if you also have a fever and are not feeling well, contact your doctor immediately.

Pregnancy: Bezalip SR (Bezafibrate) should not be taken during pregnancy. Women who could become pregnant while using Bezalip SR (Bezafibrate) should use adequate birth control. If you become pregnant while taking Bezalip SR (Bezafibrate), stop taking it and contact your doctor immediately. If you are planning to become pregnant, you should stop Bezalip SR (Bezafibrate) several months before trying to become pregnant.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if Bezalip SR (Bezafibrate) passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Bezalip SR (Bezafibrate), it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using Bezalip SR (Bezafibrate) have not been established for children.

Seniors: The use of Bezalip SR (Bezafibrate) by people over the age of 70 is not recommended because of age-related decreases in kidney function.