Understanding cholesterol

In its most basic form, cholesterol is a waxy material. It’s found in cell walls and nerves.1 So why do you need to know your cholesterol levels?

  • Cholesterol moves through your bloodstream as lipoproteins
  • These are tiny packages made up of fat cells (called lipids) plus proteins1,2
  • Your body uses cholesterol to make
    Hormones
    Vitamin D
    Certain acids for digestion
  • Cholesterol may cause problems if there’s too much of the bad kind in your blood1,2
TRIGLYCERIDES1,2

are fats, from foods we eat, that are carried in the blood

Lower this number

GOOD CHOLESTEROL1

is HDL (high-density lipoprotein) and carries cholesterol from tissues to the liver for disposal

RAISE this number

BAD CHOLESTEROL1

is LDL (low-density lipoprotein) and carries cholesterol to tissues, including the arteries

Lower this number

What are the risk factors for high cholesterol?

The following conditions or behaviors can affect your cholesterol
level. Some of the factors are controllable, some are not.

Genetics1
Age and sex1
Diet1
Obesity1
Physical inactivity1

Genetics1

cholesterol risk factor; genetics icon
  • Heredity determines the amount of bad cholesterol (LDL) made and the speed in which it is eliminated
  • If your family has a history of high cholesterol, you may be affected too
  • People with a family tie to high cholesterol can still take actions to lower their levels1
cholesterol risk factor; age and sex icon

Age and sex1

  • Cholesterol typically rises in all of us around age 20
  • Cholesterol continues to rise until we’re in our 60s
  • Before age 50, cholesterol tends to be higher in men than women1
  • After age 50, the opposite happens
cholesterol risk factor; diet icon

Diet1

Three components of your diet raise cholesterol levels:

  • Saturated fats
  • Trans fats
  • Cholesterol1

Obesity1

cholesterol risk factor; obesity icon
  • Excess weight can increase bad cholesterol and triglyceride levels
  • Losing extra pounds may help lower these levels, while also raising your good cholesterol

Physical inactivity1

cholesterol risk factor; physical inactivity icon
  • Physical inactivity contributes to being overweight and can raise bad cholesterol and lower good cholesterol
  • Regular physical activity can help you lose weight and lower your bad cholesterol

Symptoms of high cholesterol

High cholesterol itself does not usually have any symptoms, but narrowing blood vessels over time can increase the risk of heart attack or stroke.3,4

What are your cholesterol numbers?

Work with your doctor to get a blood test called a lipoprotein profile. This will tell you and your doctor what you need to build a plan to improve your cholesterol numbers.

 What are triglycerides?
What do your cholesterol numbers mean?
What is TRILIPIX?

Uses for TRILIPIX® (fenofibric acid) delayed-release capsules5

  • TRILIPIX should only be used when other measures, such as diet and exercise, have not been enough.
  • TRILIPIX is a prescription medicine used to treat cholesterol in the blood by lowering the total amount of triglycerides and LDL (bad) cholesterol, and increasing the HDL (good) cholesterol. You should be on a low fat and low cholesterol diet while you take TRILIPIX.
  • TRILIPIX is also used along with diet to lower severely high triglycerides. Improving blood sugar control in certain people with diabetes may prevent the need for cholesterol drug therapy.
  • TRILIPIX has not been shown to lower your risk of having heart problems or a stroke.

Important Safety Information for TRILIPIX5

  • TRILIPIX should not be taken by people with liver, gallbladder, or severe kidney disease, nursing mothers, or those allergic to any product ingredient.
  • TRILIPIX can cause serious liver injury, including liver transplantation and death. Tell your doctor if you have signs or symptoms of liver injury including dark urine, abnormal stool, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes), malaise (feeling of discomfort, illness, or uneasiness), abdominal pain, myalgia (muscle pain), weight loss, pruritus (itching), or nausea. Blood tests are needed before and during treatment with TRILIPIX to check for liver problems.
  • TRILIPIX can cause muscle pain, tenderness or weakness, which may be symptoms of a rare but serious muscle condition called rhabdomyolysis. In some cases rhabdomyolysis can cause kidney damage and death. The risk of rhabdomyolysis may be higher when TRILIPIX is given with statins. If you take a statin, tell your healthcare provider.
  • Some people require blood tests to check for kidney problems while taking TRILIPIX.
  • TRILIPIX may cause inflammation (swelling) of the gallbladder or pancreas. Contact your healthcare provider if you experience abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting.
  • Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
  • TRILIPIX may cause serious allergic-type reactions, blood clots, and possible changes in some blood test values.
  • If you are pregnant or may become pregnant, talk with your healthcare provider about TRILIPIX. It is not known if TRILIPIX will harm your unborn baby.
  • The most common side effects with TRILIPIX include headache, heartburn (indigestion), nausea, muscle aches, and increases in muscle or liver enzymes that are measured by blood tests.

For more information, talk with your healthcare provider.

References: 1. US Department of Health and Human Services/National Institutes of Health/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Your Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol With TLC. NIH publication No 06-5235. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/files/docs/public/heart/chol_tlc.pdf. Published December 2005. Accessed June 22, 2021. 2. Cleveland Clinic. Triglycerides & heart health. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/17583-triglycerides--heart-health. Accessed June 22, 2021. 3. Mayo Clinic. High cholesterol. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/symptoms-causes/syc-20350800. Accessed June 22, 2021. 4. Cafasso J. Symptoms of high cholesterol. Healthline website. https://www.healthline.com/health/high-cholesterol-symptoms. Accessed June 22, 2021. 5. TRILIPIX [package insert]. North Chicago, IL: AbbVie Inc.

Please see the full Prescribing Information for TRILIPIX and discuss it with your doctor.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.
Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

If you are having difficulty paying for your medicine, AbbVie may be able to help.
Visit AbbVie.com/myAbbVieAssist to learn more.

If you have any questions about AbbVie’s TRILIPIX.com website that have not been answered, click here. This website and the information contained herein is intended for use by US residents only, is provided for informational purposes only, and is not intended to replace a discussion with a healthcare provider. All decisions regarding patient care must be made with a healthcare provider and take into consideration the unique characteristics of each patient.

Uses for TRILIPIX® (fenofibric acid) delayed-release capsules5

  • TRILIPIX should only be used when other measures, such as diet and exercise, have not been enough.
  • TRILIPIX is a prescription medicine used to treat cholesterol in the blood by lowering the total amount of triglycerides and LDL (bad) cholesterol, and increasing the HDL (good) cholesterol. You should be on a low fat and low cholesterol diet while you take TRILIPIX.
  • TRILIPIX is also used along with diet to lower severely high triglycerides. Improving blood sugar control in certain people with diabetes may prevent the need for cholesterol drug therapy.
  • TRILIPIX has not been shown to lower your risk of having heart problems or a stroke.