Factors affecting a Tricor® dosage include the patient's age, other medications being taken, and what Tricor® is being used for. In addition, other current medical conditions are are also important factors in determining a Tricor® dosage. Tricor® is used in the treatment of high triglycerides, a blood lipid that has been implicated in the development of coronary artery disease. The recommended starting dose is between 48 mg and 145 mg per day.
Doctors may recommend that people who have kidney disease or are over the age of 65 take a lower Tricor® dosage. People should not adjust their Tricor® dosage on their own and should discuss any adjustments with their health care providers. Typically, the health care provider will ask the patient to have his triglyceride levels rechecked at about four to eight weeks after the start of treatment. If the levels are still undesirable, the health care provider may either adjust the Tricor® dosage or recommend a medication change.
Side effects can occur even at the recommended Tricor® dosage. These include chest congestion, gastrointestinal disturbances, back pain, and headache. In addition, flu-like symptoms, runny nose and weakness can also occur. A significant side effect of Tricor® and other lipid-lowering medications include an elevation of liver enzymes. This is one of the most common reasons patients discontinue treatment.
When elevated liver enzymes occur, the health care provider can either elect to monitor liver function with blood tests or discontinue treatment altogether if the enzymes become excessively high. If unexplained muscle pain, jaundice, itching, or unexplained bleeding occur, the physician should be notified. These symptoms can be caused by liver disease or a rare muscle condition, which if not evaluated and treat promptly, can lead to permanent muscle damage.
A very rare side effect of Tricor® is depression. Because depression occurs so infrequently when taking this medication, it is not certain whether the Tricor® is truly the cause of the depression or if the condition is being caused by something unrelated. If depression occurs, however, regardless of Tricor® status, the health care provider should be notified. Depression is a serious condition, but it can be effectively treated.
If people are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, breastfeeding, or consuming alcohol frequently, they should tell their health care providers. In addition, the health care provider should be told about other medications that are being taken such as prescription medications, non-prescription medications, herbal and dietary supplements, and vitamin and mineral supplements. Certain medications and supplements can interact with Tricor® and cause undesirable effects.