Antara® is the brand name of a drug called fenofibrate. This prescription medication is used to help lower an individual's triglyceride count and reduce the amount of bad cholesterol present in the body. Medication is taken orally in the form of white, time-release capsules.
The drug helps to regulate lipids, or fatty compounds, in the blood. It acts as an accelerant to processes already in place in the body, speeding up the body's natural ability to cleanse these unwanted substances from the blood. The drug is generally prescribed in conjunction with a change in the client's diet, which also should help lower cholesterol. The medication is effective in many individuals if they take it while observing the proper dietary rules; regular testing is often done to determine when an individual has reached satisfactory cholesterol levels, when dosage may be changed.
High levels of cholesterol in the bloodstream can clog blood vessels and reduce the oxygen and nutrient supply to parts of the body. Fat-regulating medications like Antara® help prevent this from happening, and in turn lower an individual's chances of suffering from heart failure, heart attacks, strokes, and other conditions related to the buildup of cholesterol in blood vessels. Cholesterol is naturally made in the liver, and consuming extra amounts can throw off the natural balance of the body.
Antara® is generally prescribed in conjunction with recommendations for lifestyle changes. Extra weight can contribute to high cholesterol, so in addition to a healthy diet, increased exercise is usually recommended. This exercise can act in the same manner as Antara® and aid it in speeding up the same processes in which the body gets rid of bad cholesterol.
A time-release medication, Antara® capsules should not be pre-dissolved or broken before they are taken. Unsafe for pregnant or nursing women, the drug should also not be taken by those with kidney or liver disease. Some individuals can have an allergic reaction to the medication.
Some side effects associated with Antara® can be serious, and medical professionals may stop administering the drug with the consistent presence of fever, rashes or hives, stomach pain and vomiting, or difficulty breathing. Most side effects are much less serious, and typically disappear as the body becomes accustomed to the medication. These side effects include headaches, diarrhea, and constipation. Overdosing that requires hospitalization can occur, so those prescribed the drug should be careful not to double a dose to make up for a missed one.