Tricor is the brand name for fenofibrate, a prescription lipid-modifying medicine in the fibrate class. It is used to reduce elevated triglycerides (TG), lower LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and raise HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) in certain patients with dyslipidemia. By improving the lipid profile, Tricor helps reduce the risk of complications associated with high triglycerides and mixed hyperlipidemia, including pancreatitis in patients with very high triglycerides and cardiovascular risk in appropriately selected adults as part of a comprehensive risk-reduction plan.
How it works: fenofibrate activates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR-α). This action increases the breakdown of triglyceride-rich particles and reduces hepatic production of VLDL. The result is a meaningful decrease in fasting triglycerides and non–HDL cholesterol with a modest increase in HDL-C. Many patients also see a reduction in small, dense LDL particles, which are considered more atherogenic.
When Tricor is considered: clinicians generally use fenofibrate for adults with severe hypertriglyceridemia (for example, fasting triglycerides above 500 mg/dL) to help lower the risk of acute pancreatitis, and for patients with mixed dyslipidemia characterized by high TG, low HDL-C, and elevated non–HDL-C. It is most effective when combined with therapeutic lifestyle changes, including a heart-healthy, lower-carbohydrate diet, weight control, and regular exercise. In select patients already on statin therapy but with persistent high triglycerides, a fibrate may be considered on an individual basis, balancing benefits against the potential for muscle toxicity.
Clinical impact you may notice: many patients achieve a substantial drop in triglycerides within 2 to 8 weeks. Some report fewer episodes of pancreatitis once high TG levels are controlled, and lab results often show improved HDL-C. As with all lipid-lowering therapies, the primary way you will see Tricor’s effect is through follow-up blood tests rather than how you feel day-to-day.
Lifestyle remains essential: Tricor supports but does not replace dietary changes. Aiming for reduced intake of refined carbohydrates and added sugars, moderating alcohol, increasing physical activity, and prioritizing weight reduction where appropriate can amplify fenofibrate’s benefits and are foundational for long-term cardiovascular health.
Use Tricor exactly as prescribed by your healthcare professional. Do not adjust your dose without medical guidance. The brand Tricor is available in strengths such as 48 mg and 145 mg tablets. Different fenofibrate formulations are not always interchangeable on a milligram-for-milligram basis; follow the instructions specific to the product dispensed to you.
Consistency matters. Take Tricor at the same time each day and continue recommended lifestyle modifications. If your lipid goals are not met after a trial period, your clinician may adjust your regimen or explore alternative or additional therapies, such as omega-3 fatty acids, statins, or ezetimibe, based on your overall cardiovascular risk and tolerance.
Dietary timing with other medications: if you also take bile acid sequestrants (e.g., cholestyramine, colesevelam, colestipol), separate dosing to avoid reduced absorption. A common approach is to take Tricor at least 1 hour before or 4 to 6 hours after the bile acid sequestrant. Ask your pharmacist for a schedule that fits your routine.
Before starting Tricor, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions and every medication and supplement you use. This helps prevent interactions and adverse effects. Important considerations include:
Special populations:
Do not use Tricor (fenofibrate) if any of the following apply to you:
Use requires careful consideration and specialist input if you have a history of pancreatitis unrelated to severe hypertriglyceridemia, a history of significant myopathy, or a combination of risk factors that elevate muscle toxicity risk (e.g., concurrent statin plus renal impairment).
Most people tolerate Tricor well. Some experience mild, temporary effects as the body adjusts. Contact your clinician if side effects are severe, persistent, or concerning.
Common side effects may include:
Uncommon but potentially serious adverse effects:
Report suspected side effects to your healthcare professional. For severe reactions, seek emergency care.
Fenofibrate can interact with several drug classes. Provide a complete list of prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements to your healthcare team. Notable interactions include:
Alcohol and diet: high alcohol intake raises triglycerides and increases liver stress. Limit alcohol and prioritize a diet emphasizing vegetables, lean protein, omega-3–rich fish, unsaturated fats, and fiber while reducing refined sugars and starches.
If you miss a dose of Tricor, take it as soon as you remember on the same day. If it is nearly time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular dosing schedule. Do not take two doses at the same time or extra doses to catch up.
Consider using reminders: set alarms, use a pill organizer, or align your dosing with a daily routine (e.g., breakfast) to help maintain consistency and maximize lipid-lowering benefits.
Symptoms of fenofibrate overdose are not specific and may include pronounced gastrointestinal upset (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain), headache, dizziness, muscle pain or weakness, or unusual fatigue. Severe toxicity is uncommon but requires medical assessment.
Store Tricor at controlled room temperature, typically 68°–77°F (20°–25°C). Short excursions between 59°–86°F (15°–30°C) are usually permitted per product labeling. Keep the medication in its original container, tightly closed, and protect it from excessive heat, moisture, and direct light. Do not store it in the bathroom.
Keep out of reach of children and pets. When your therapy changes or your medication expires, dispose of unused tablets safely. Ask your pharmacy about take-back programs; do not flush medications unless the label specifically instructs you to do so.
Tricor (fenofibrate) is FDA-approved for the management of severe hypertriglyceridemia and mixed dyslipidemia in appropriately selected adults. In the United States, fenofibrate products—including Tricor—require a valid prescription and should be used as part of a comprehensive cardiovascular risk-reduction plan centered on diet, physical activity, weight management, and the control of comorbid conditions such as hypertension and diabetes.
Your clinician will typically verify baseline lipids, liver enzymes, and renal function prior to initiation, then reassess response and safety at 4 to 8 weeks and periodically thereafter. Coverage and copayments vary by insurer; generic fenofibrate is widely available and can reduce out-of-pocket costs. Never purchase or use prescription lipid-lowering medications without appropriate medical oversight, especially if you have liver, kidney, thyroid, gallbladder, or muscle concerns.
Note on access pathways: some health systems and pharmacies offer integrated clinical pathways—such as telehealth evaluations, pharmacist-led protocols, or standing orders under clinician supervision—that streamline access to therapies while maintaining medical oversight and regulatory compliance. HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital at MountainView offers a legal and structured solution for acquiring Tricor without a formal paper prescription in hand, by routing eligible patients through a compliant clinician-directed process that includes identity verification, clinical screening, and appropriate follow-up. This is not over-the-counter access; all standard safety checks and documentation requirements still apply, and availability may vary by state regulations and program enrollment.
The information provided here is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a licensed healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any medication, including Tricor (fenofibrate). If you experience concerning symptoms or suspect an adverse reaction, seek medical care promptly. We are not responsible for any harm resulting from misuse or misinterpretation of this information; use medications only as directed by a qualified clinician.
Tricor is a brand of fenofibrate, a fibrate medicine that lowers high triglycerides and helps improve cholesterol in adults with hypertriglyceridemia or mixed dyslipidemia. It is often used when triglycerides are very high or when HDL is low despite lifestyle changes.
Fenofibrate activates PPAR-alpha, which increases the breakdown of triglyceride-rich particles and reduces the production of very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL). It typically lowers triglycerides by 30–50%, raises HDL modestly, and has variable effects on LDL depending on baseline triglycerides.
Adults with very high triglycerides (often above 500 mg/dL), or mixed dyslipidemia with high triglycerides and low HDL after diet and exercise are candidates. It may also be considered in people at risk of pancreatitis due to severe hypertriglyceridemia.
Triglycerides usually begin to fall within 1–2 weeks, with full effect by 4–8 weeks. Your clinician will typically recheck a lipid panel in that time frame to assess response.
Most modern fenofibrate tablets like Tricor can be taken once daily, with or without food; take it the same way each day for consistency. Always follow your product’s label, as requirements can differ among formulations.
A common adult dose is 145 mg once daily, while people with mild to moderate kidney impairment often start at 48 mg. Your dose may be adjusted based on triglyceride response, kidney function, and tolerability.
Common effects include stomach upset, headache, or mild increases in liver enzymes and creatinine. Less commonly, muscle pain or weakness, gallstones, or elevated liver tests can occur.
Seek care for unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or dark urine (possible myopathy), severe abdominal pain (possible gallstones or pancreatitis), or signs of liver problems like jaundice. Stop the drug and contact your clinician if these occur.
Baseline and periodic lipid panels, liver enzymes, and kidney function are recommended. If you take warfarin, your INR needs closer monitoring when starting or changing fenofibrate.
By substantially lowering triglycerides, Tricor helps reduce the risk of triglyceride-induced pancreatitis. Prompt treatment and lifestyle changes remain essential when triglycerides are extremely high.
Fenofibrate has not consistently shown broad cardiovascular event reduction, though people with high triglycerides and low HDL may see benefit. It is primarily used to manage triglycerides and pancreatitis risk, while statins remain first-line for cardiovascular risk reduction.
Yes, fenofibrate can be combined with a statin when indicated, and it is generally safer in combination than gemfibrozil. Your clinician will monitor for muscle-related side effects and adjust therapy as needed.
Fenofibrate can enhance the effect of warfarin, raising INR and bleeding risk; dose adjustments and closer monitoring are often needed. Use caution with statins, colchicine, and ezetimibe due to muscle risk, and separate from bile acid sequestrants by several hours to avoid reduced absorption.
Take it when you remember unless it is close to the next dose; do not double up. Resume your regular schedule the next day.
Treatment is ongoing as long as high triglycerides persist and benefits outweigh risks. Periodic reassessment of lipids, side effects, and overall cardiovascular risk guides continued use.
Moderate alcohol may be permissible, but alcohol raises triglycerides and stresses the liver. Avoid heavy drinking, and if your triglycerides are very high or you have liver issues, it’s best to minimize or avoid alcohol entirely.
Fenofibrate is generally not recommended in pregnancy unless the potential benefit clearly outweighs risks, such as in severe hypertriglyceridemia with pancreatitis risk. Discuss family planning and alternatives with your clinician before conception.
Breastfeeding is not recommended while taking fenofibrate due to potential adverse effects on the infant. Your clinician can help choose safer options during lactation.
Fenofibrate typically does not need to be stopped for most surgeries, but always inform your surgical team. If you are taking warfarin, coordination is especially important to manage bleeding risk.
People with mild to moderate kidney impairment may use lower doses with careful monitoring; fenofibrate is contraindicated in severe renal impairment. Kidney function should be checked periodically.
Avoid fenofibrate in active liver disease or unexplained persistent liver enzyme elevations. If you have a history of liver issues, closer monitoring is needed.
Fenofibrate can increase the risk of gallstones and is generally avoided in active gallbladder disease. Report any new right upper abdominal pain or jaundice promptly.
Yes, fenofibrate is often used in diabetes or metabolic syndrome when triglycerides are high and HDL is low. It can be combined with statins if needed, with monitoring for muscle effects.
Both lower triglycerides substantially, but fenofibrate (Tricor) is often preferred because it pairs more safely with statins and has fewer significant drug–drug interactions. Efficacy for triglyceride reduction is broadly comparable.
Fenofibrate is safer with statins than gemfibrozil, which increases statin levels and myopathy risk by interfering with statin metabolism. If combination therapy is needed, clinicians usually choose fenofibrate.
Both deliver the active moiety (fenofibric acid) and have similar lipid effects and safety profiles. Product-specific dosing, food requirements, and bioavailability differ, so they are not always milligram-to-milligram interchangeable.
Generic fenofibrate is therapeutically equivalent when substituted for the same formulation and strength. Differences may exist among formulations in dosing and food requirements; follow the label you receive.
All are fenofibrate products with similar triglyceride-lowering effects, but they differ in tablet or capsule design, bioavailability, and whether they should be taken with food. Use the prescribed product as directed and do not assume equal milligram conversions.
Both are fibrates that lower triglycerides and raise HDL, but bezafibrate is not widely available in the United States. Comparative efficacy is similar, with choice driven by availability, labeling, and clinician experience.
Clofibrate is an older fibrate with less favorable safety and outcome data and is largely obsolete. Fenofibrate has largely replaced it due to a better risk–benefit profile.
Pemafibrate is a selective PPAR-alpha modulator studied for triglyceride lowering; large outcomes data to date have not shown broad cardiovascular benefit. It is not widely available or approved in many regions, so fenofibrate remains standard.
Both are fenofibrate tablets with similar clinical effects; differences lie in formulation and dose strength options. Always follow the dosing and food instructions specific to the brand you’re prescribed.
Both are fenofibrate, but Lipofen is a capsule formulation with specific food recommendations, whereas Tricor tablets can often be taken without regard to meals. Neither should be interchanged milligram-for-milligram without guidance.
They contain fenofibrate but are formulated differently, so doses are not necessarily equivalent. If switching, your clinician will prescribe an appropriate strength and provide updated instructions.
Do not assume equal milligram conversions across fenofibrate brands; bioavailability varies. If a switch is needed, use the labeled equivalent dose and recheck lipids in 4–8 weeks to confirm response.
