Get Informed: Fenofibrate

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Active Ingredient(s)

Fenofibrate

What does it do?

This product is used in the treatment of patients with high lipid levels (including cholesterol). It is believed to work by increasing the breakdown of lipid carrying molecules (lipoproteins) in the blood.

Last Text Update:: 2010-Mar-20 11:21 PM
Last Data Update:: 2010-Mar-20 9:02 PM

Other Names

Tricor
Fenofibrate
Antara
Triglide
Fenobibrate
Lipidil
Lipidax
Lipantil
Fenogal
Supralip

How Safe Is It?

Your Risk Rating: Please log in
Average Risk Rating
Pregnancy Category:: C
Black Box Warning:: No

Facts & Figures

Date Approved: 31 Dec 1993
Est US Patients*: 1,737,000
Generic Available: Yes
OTC Available: No

User Age Distribution*

< 21

21-39

40-59

60+

Age (Years)

* Estimated number of US people currently taking Fenofibrate or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.

Other Resources

Recent alerts for Fenofibrate

Fenofibrate Safety Report

The iGuard risk rating for Fenofibrate is blue. It means that Fenofibrate normally has a low risk of serious or long-term side effects if used under normal medical supervision.

Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings

Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Fenofibrate interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.

What is Fenofibrate used for?

iGuard is currently tracking more than 11,500 patients that use Fenofibrate (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.

Disease / Condition	%	Average Severity
High Triglycerides	70%
High Cholesterol	53%
Other	10%

How well does Fenofibrate work?

iGuard regularly polls our more than 11,500 users taking Fenofibrate (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.

Average Satisfaction Score

(out of 10)

Average Effectiveness Score

(out of 10)

80%: of patients are confident that the good things about Fenofibrate outweigh the bad things.
17%: of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Fenofibrate.

Common Side Effects of Fenofibrate

iGuard regularly polls our more than 11,500 users taking Fenofibrate (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.

20% of patients experience side-effects on Fenofibrate

3% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Fenofibrate

Most Common Side Effects...

Muscle Pain/Cramps
Heartburn/Reflux
Dryness
= 10%

Less than 1%: Abdo Pain/Cramps, Cough, Dizziness, Headache, Memory/Speech Problems, Weight Gain

Global Patient Feedback for Fenofibrate ( Post a comment )

Comments, Questions, and Answers

Show Newest | Oldest first

Question/Comment:

I had taken Tricor for several years but only found out it was causing my stomach problems after I read a report here from a lady who said it bothered her reflux.I am presently off theTricor and my acid reflux has settled down.I'm back to taking just one Prilosic a day. Before I was having to take 2 a day and was still havig stomach pain.

64 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2010-02-15 15:33:00

Question/Comment:

I am a 51 y/o female who has been on Crestor and Fenofibrate for years. About a year ago, I began getting cramps...first in my toes and feet, then they progressed so that now any muscle in my body will cramp at any given time. I lose sleep, I cry. My doctor has tried taking me off first Fenofibrate, then Crestor, then both and the cramps continue. We've tried magnesium, no luck. My calcium is fine; now, she's checking my Vitamin D level. She has also put me back on Mirapex since about 10 years ago I was diagnosed with Periodic Limbs Movement Syndrome. Hopefully, something will begin to work SOON!!

52 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2010-01-26 18:31:08

Question/Comment:

What are the substitutes for tricor?
I was always wondering why my legs hurt so much I thought I had arthritis.

49 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-07-31 10:25:22

iGuard Answer/Reply:

Tricor is a fenofibrate. Gemfibrozil is another medication in this class. If you are looking for another type of medication to treat high cholesterol, there are a few other choices. Of the most popular class, the "statin" medications, fluvastatin (Lescol) or low-dose rosuvastatin (Crestor) seem to have the least incidence of causing muscle pain. Talking to your physician about your options is the best way to go. Your physician knows your medication history and current regimen along with your medical conditions and can make the best assessment of your options.

Posted: 2009-08-05 23:26:50

Answer/Reply:

Drop potatoes, breads, all sugar, and intensive carbohydrates from your diet. Drop your weight to the point where friends ask if you are ok. Sounds extreme but it is better than the pain in your legs. I have high cholesterol and high triglycerides and Tricor is the only thing that works for me.

67 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-08-18 14:46:53

Answer/Reply:

I never had so many leg muscle pulls as when I was taking this Tricor and played softball. I notified my doctor that I was having severe leg problems and she told me to STOP IMMEDIATELY!!

56 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-08-18 15:25:38

Answer/Reply:

I got 3 to choose from....Fenofibrate, Trilipix or Gemfibrozil. Hope this helps.

55 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-08-20 08:38:10

Answer/Reply:

FYI as per my doctor I am currently taking trilipix 135 in speaking with the drug rep at the doctors office this is going to eventually replace tricor. I am currently taking trilipix for my cholesterol been on it now for about 6 months. It is working well for me and I have not had any complications. I also took Tricor for about 8 years and never had any problems with it.

50 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-08-22 17:00:26

Answer/Reply:

My insurance company doesn't want to pay for Tricor, I heard something about alternatives that are a different "class" of drugs. What does that mean?

61 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-08-25 22:18:25

iGuard Answer/Reply:

Tricor is typically used to reduce high lipid levels and/or reduce cholesterol. In general, an insurance company may have a list of preferred medications that they will cover to treat certain disease states. You can contact the member services (1-800# on the back of your insurance card ) for additional information and to find out the list of covered or preferred medications to treat high lipid levels. In addition, if you and your doctor feel Tricor is absolutely necessary you may be able to submit a "Medically Neccessary" form to have Tricor covered if approved by the insurance company. Each insurance company's policies vary greatly and you should seek advice and explanation initially from your member service department or summary of plan benefits paperwork.

Posted: 2009-09-08 22:44:16

Answer/Reply:

TriCor is the brand name for a form of fenofibrate. The active medication is now available as a generic and can be much less expensive as well as covered by many prescription drug plans that may not cover TriCor. The difference is that TriCor is a microcrystalline form of fenofibrate, which, according to its manufacturer, Abbott Laboratories, allows it to be taken anytime, while generic fenofibrate should be taken at or near mealtime. (More on fenofibrate prescriptions in a second post.)

68 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2010-02-11 09:41:35

Answer/Reply:

(Continued)There is also a slight difference in doseage between TriCor and generic fenfibrate, which means that a standard TriCor prescription cannot be filled as a generic without the doctor changing the doseage. You may need to ask your doctor to specifically write fenofibrate on the Rx as well as look up the equivalent doseage to your TriCor doseage. (More on insurance and Tricor in another post.)

68 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2010-02-11 09:48:32

Answer/Reply:

(continued)The class of medications to which fenofibrate/TriCor belongs is about the most effective drug therapy for very high triglycerides. If this is your condition, your drug plan should cover generic fenofibrate even if they do not cover TriCor.

68 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2010-02-11 09:52:14

Answer/Reply:

I have used every cholestrol lowering med on the market,dr.finally hit on tricor,leg pains disappeared,i learned about centrum cardio,take 2 aday and also drink super shots found in any supermarket,now take tricor every other day,and last check cholestrol was 172.

69 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-09-01 15:21:31

Question/Comment:

Tricor and Zocor both cause leg pain! We're all just guinea pigs for the Pharma Cos. and the quacks that get payola for prescribing. I don't trust them anymore.

48 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-05-07 21:02:52

Answer/Reply:

I have had occasional leg cramps through the years, but now they are nearly constant (daily in frequency) and many of my friends are also
suffering. We had decided it must have something to do with taking the
Chol. medicines. I am on Tricor & Lipitor because the Chol and Triglycerides were both a little high. Years ago I had Rx for quinine which would definitely help the cramps. I took it very sparingly, but now it has been taken off the market-- just when I need it most!!

76 yr. old female

77 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-05-16 23:26:17

Answer/Reply:

You can get the leg cramp medicine made by Hyland's and it is available on line @ Swanson Vitamins.com and in California you can order 3 bottles at a time each contain 100 tablets and they also have a cream to rub on when you get the cramps. I have had the leg cramps for years and this is the only thing that works.. Any questions email phyliis10@aol.com.

Phyllis

California

70 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-05-25 13:58:47

Answer/Reply:

Quinine has been reformulated, check with your MD and Pharmacist about getting Qualaquin.

48 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-05-26 10:04:16

Answer/Reply:

NEVER HAD LEG PAIN FROM MY TRICOR.
43 Y/O FEMALE

44 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-05-17 06:16:53

Answer/Reply:

I also had problems with Tricor. I was prescribed Tricor and I had developed pulmonary embolisms (blood clots in my lungs). The drug company is aware that Tricor does cause blood clots. But the drug companies still make the drugs and the doctors are still prescribing them. I was 43 years old and it almost killed me.

45 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-05-19 20:39:51

Answer/Reply:

wHAT WERE YOUR SYMPTOMS? I'm on Tricor and so is my husband. Thanks! We do get leg cramps, too. We were thinking maybe low potassium because of our blood pressure meds.

61 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-06-01 14:30:12

Answer/Reply:

I know your post is old, but I have just read it.l How did you know that you had pulmonary embolisms? Did you have trouble breathing?

I have been trouble taking a deep breath for quite some time now and am wondering what drug is causing it.l

Thanks.

59 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-11-09 22:21:44

Answer/Reply:

The only 2 statins that do not cause an interaction with fenofibrates (icluding Tricor) are Crestor and pravastatin. If you only need a moderate LDL reduction, talk to your doctor about prava. If you need greater reduction, talk to your doctor about Crestor. Both are the cleanest of the statins.

43 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-05-21 14:40:12

Answer/Reply:

I have told my Dr. about a burning pain in left thigh, he says it's not related to the medications. Does anyone else share this same symtom?

56 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-05-24 19:44:30

Answer/Reply:

I also have a burning pain in my thigh, and it sometimes gets numb or itchy. I never thought of the meds. They say not the meds, but can't give other reason.....

64 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-08-19 15:34:20

Answer/Reply:

I have the same thing. Burning, itching and numbness in my left thigh. I thought it might be related to my neropathic pain that I already have. But, now I wonder...

35 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-12-03 12:32:44

iGuard Answer/Reply:

About 1 in 100 patients experience a rash or itching of some degree while taking the fenofibrate. If you have neuropathic pain, your symptoms may be related to this condition. If your burning, itching, and numbness are still bothering you, you should be evaluated by your doctor to determine the cause of your symptoms.

Posted: 2009-12-03 20:55:03

Answer/Reply:

81 Year old male

I recently changed Doctors and the first thing he did was stop "TRICOR" and start me on "TRILLPIX".So far no side affects.

83 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-05-31 16:33:52

Answer/Reply:

I took lipitor and tricor at different times and they both had the same side effects,muscle weakness , an extreme fatigue. I literally could barely make it up the stairs in my home and had no energy to clean or anything else for that matter. Now my doc has prescribed a niacin type drug and I have not even gotten the thing filled because I am afraid of side effects. Started walking 4 miles at least 4 xs a week.

50 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-05-31 23:20:53

Answer/Reply:

I have had high triglycerides for many years (I like sweets) but since I don't like taking drugs my doctor gave me Lovaza-the only prescription Omega 3 on the market approved by FDA. I have no side effects and by using only 1/2 of recommended dose (w Dr's permission) my triglycerides have been reduced from 400 to 150. I have not experienced any side effects. I have increased my excercise and trying to change some of my diet too.
44-Female

45 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-06-02 09:05:47