Get Informed: Fenofibrate
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:
- 2009-Nov-20 6:20 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2009-Nov-20 6:53 PM
Other Names
- Tricor
- Fenofibrate
- Antara
- Triglide
- Fenobibrate
- Lipidil
- Lipidax
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- C
- Black Box Warning:
- No
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 31 Dec 1993
- Est US Patients*
- 1,840,000
- 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.
Recent alerts for Fenofibrate
Fenofibrate Safety Report
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.org is currently tracking more than 10,700 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 | 65% | 
|
| High Cholesterol | 52% | 
|
| Diabetes | 14% |
|
| Other | 7% |
|
How well does Fenofibrate work?
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 10,700 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)
- 66%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Fenofibrate outweigh the bad things.
- 24%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Fenofibrate.
Common Side Effects of Fenofibrate
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 10,700 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.
25% of patients experience side-effects on Fenofibrate
2% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Fenofibrate
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Muscle Pain
-
Abdominal Pain
-
Muscle Spasms
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Constipation, Fatigue, Itch, Memory/Speech Problems, Mental Haziness, Nausea, Sleep Problems, Sore Mouth/Throat
Global Patient Feedback for Fenofibrate ( Post a comment )
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
Posted: 2009-07-31 10:25:22
iGuard.org 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
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
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
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.
49 year old Female
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
Posted: 2009-08-25 22:18:25
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
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
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
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
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
Posted: 2009-05-26 10:04:16
Answer/Reply:
NEVER HAD LEG PAIN FROM MY TRICOR.
43 Y/O FEMALE
44 year old Female
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
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.
60 year old Female
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
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
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
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
Posted: 2009-08-19 15:34:20
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
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.
49 year old Female
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
44 year old Male
Posted: 2009-06-02 09:05:47
Answer/Reply:
Yes I agree I was told the same but was worried about the change thanks
63 year old Male
Posted: 2009-06-04 06:06:36
Answer/Reply:
my husband was put on metformin, lovastatin, and fenofibrate for high triglicerides. he is also on blood pressure meds. lisinipril. he has diabetes. we did a lifestyle change and in three months his triclierides went from 397 down to 82. We did away with chlosterol in the diet except for eggs. I took the butter away and we bought coconut oil and olive oil. Ate more chicken and salads fish. I allowed him 60 carbs each meal. I also ate the same as him . His cholestorol went from 210 down to 118. on the other hand, i do not take cholestorol lowering meds, and my level went from 180 to 229. my doc wanted to start me on meds and I said no. I started eating more butter and once again I eat liver and I bought dairy cream for our coffee. I think hubby is way to low on chlosterol 118. He is weaned off two meds and has the metformin and lisinipril still. He sees and I see the endrocrinologist on the 29 of July. The only thing I can think of is that my body produced more cholestorol because I was denying it in my diet. My body made more. I also take cod liver oil and the coconut oil I cooked with and put on bagales. The doc looked at my hdl and ldl and they were ok. I told him about the codliver oil and he said oh that is why. Will keep ya posted on how we do. Dont stop your meds without advice of doctor. My husband exercises to. I wasnt, I have copd and was getting heart during this time of carb watch, I lost 13 pounds. What gives. My levels went up. gloria
63 year old Male
Posted: 2009-07-11 03:32:44
Answer/Reply:
I feel the same when I first started taking this stuff I started getting lag pain and I said to myself now what going wrong with me!!!!!!!!
63 year old Male
Posted: 2009-06-04 06:00:48
Answer/Reply:
I use Zorcor and have experiance leg pains. I have been told it was caused from bad circulation.
62 year old male
62 year old Male
Posted: 2009-06-05 16:46:17
Answer/Reply:
What sort of pain and where? I also have been experiencing pain.
62 year old Male
Posted: 2009-06-08 08:52:10
Question/Comment:
I have been taking Tricor (or the generic, fenofibrate) for over 20 years. I have noticed very little difference between the two drugs. I had been purchasing fenofibrate from a Canada mail order pharmacy until Medicare part 'D' became available two years ago. I have experienced more frequent leg cramps, but I have no idea if they are related to Tricor. My cardiologist apparantly feels that this drug is doing its job. I have had no heart probs since my bypass surgery 20 years ago!
81 year old Male
Posted: 2009-03-11 23:27:46
Question/Comment:
I have been taking Tricor for about a year and I wondered if anyone else has noticed an increase in reflux, stomach pain (maybe gall bladder related)?
50 year old Female
Posted: 2009-03-06 09:40:08
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
I have a lot of reflux but I never thought my Tricor could be causing it.I only know that recently the reflux is much worse than ususl. I'm to the point, I need to return to the doctor to see if something else can be done for the reflux. If I thought the Tricor was causing it, I would ask my doctor to take me off of it.I will question him when I go back for my check-up.
Posted: 2009-03-10 16:15:52
Answer/Reply:
yes, i have suffered terribly for the last 8 months i have been switched over to Tricor, was on Lipitor before and had awful leg pains and numbness......i have to take a tums every time i eat, sometimes during the day after at least two....have dr appt in a mo or so and will def bring that up.......is a def burning pain.....interesting
67 year old Female
Posted: 2009-03-17 15:29:58
Answer/Reply:
79 year old Male. I have been on Tricor for 3 years now and I have not had any problems of any kind. I was also able to tolerate the Nursing Home food for 3 months following my near fatal head-on auto accident 9/15/07
80 year old Male
Posted: 2009-03-19 11:17:26
Answer/Reply:
I am taking generic Tricor as I am on Primary Care Progroam for low income. So far it has not affected my acid reflux. I drink root beer without caeffine as before had problems with acid reflux, now drink root beer w/o caffeine and helps a lot.
65 year old female
66 year old Female
Posted: 2009-03-30 19:29:28
Answer/Reply:
Have you ever heard of Mona Vie? It is an all natural fruit juice that has proved to lower cholesterol and blood pressure. Most people drinking the juice can get off the meds that have some awful side affects like affecting your liver.
54 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-18 12:36:23
Question/Comment:
Because of increased co-pays from my prescription drug plan, I recently switched from Tricor (145 mg) to generic fenofibrate (160 mg). Neither my internist nor my pharmacist was able to explain the difference between the two formulations that dictated the difference in dosage (I'm a firm believer in using the lowest dose that works). After many tries--they do not make this easy--and the intervention of my insurance company, I was able to get through to an Abbott (the makers of TriCor) spokesperson who said the difference was that TriCor was "microcrystalline" and that this means it can be taken without food. Nothing about the dosage difference. I've not had my first blood work on the new formulation yet, but in the meantime I'm curious for any feedback on the difference between TriCor and the generic.
67 year old Male
Posted: 2009-03-03 10:06:34
Answer/Reply:
It may be that the generic is produced "less stronger" than the brand "Tricor",therfore
the dose has to be higher!
72 year old Male
Posted: 2009-03-03 11:15:49
Answer/Reply:
I had been put on Tricor, also, but was unhappy with the cost. It worked beautifully but when I went back 6 months later I asked the doctor if there was a generic. He switched me to the generic (half the price) and I have been on it for 6 months. The blood work showed that it worked (on me) as well as the Tricor. May you have the same results
61 year old Female
Posted: 2009-03-17 09:13:44
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Patient Comments about
Fenofibrate