What is TriCor (Fenofibrate)?

Fenofibrate, also known as Tricor, reduces cholesterol and fatty acids in the blood. This drug treats conditions like atherosclerosis and dyslipidemia.

Fenofibrate is used in mixed or severe dyslipidemia cases as an adjunct to statins. This medication is also used when the patient cannot tolerate statins. Finally, fenofibrate is used for high-risk heart patients along with other medications.

Some early studies show promise for using Fenofibrate to protect the body from COVID infection.

Tricor
Tricor
Fenofibrate
Select product strength & quantity:
Select product strength & quantity:
Tricor Tablets
Fenofibrate nanocrystallized
Select product strength & quantity:
Select product strength & quantity:
Fenofibrate (Generic)
Fenofibrate
Select product strength & quantity:
Fenofibrate 150mg (Generic)
Fenofibrate
Select product strength & quantity:
Fenofibrate Micro (Generic)
Fenofibrate
Select product strength & quantity:
Fenofibrate micro-coated, non-micronized (Generic)
Fenofibrate
Select product strength & quantity:
Fenofibrate (Generic)
Fenofibrate
Select product strength & quantity:

Prescription Required.

Product of Canada.

Shipped from Canada.

Prescription Required.Product of Canada.Shipped from Canada.

What is TriCor (Fenofibrate)?

Fenofibrate, also known as Tricor, reduces cholesterol and fatty acids in the blood. This drug treats conditions like atherosclerosis and dyslipidemia.

Fenofibrate is used in mixed or severe dyslipidemia cases as an adjunct to statins. This medication is also used when the patient cannot tolerate statins. Finally, fenofibrate is used for high-risk heart patients along with other medications.

Some early studies show promise for using Fenofibrate to protect the body from COVID infection.

How Fenofibrate works

Fenofibrate activates an enzyme in the body called lipoprotein lipase. This enzyme initiates the breaking down of fat in the blood stream. Once this process is active, the balance of lipids, glucose, and amino acids is altered. Triglyceride particles are eliminated in the blood stream as LDLs are changed from small and dense to large and buoyant. This change in shape renders them more efficient at moving the fat.

Fenofibrate also reduces uric acid levels in the body through urination. And Fenofibrate protects COVID patients from the severe effects of cytokine storm, which causes dangerous complications in progressed COVID infection.

Storage, dosage, how to use Fenofibrate

Fenofibrate is taken by mouth with or without food. Do not crush or chew the tablet. The standard dose is 160mg taken each day. If using the capsules, initial dose is 200mg a day. This can be increased to 267mg a day if needed. Be aware that to realise the benefits of this drug, one must follow diet and exercise plans too. Most patients are regularly monitored while receiving fibrate therapy. Labs and assessments help to determine the effectiveness of this medication. Follow the full instructions of the care plan written by the prescribing Provider.

The tablets and dosages:

  • yellow 48mg tablet imprinted with the letters FI or with ‘a’ and FI
  • white 145mg tablet imprinted with the letters FO or with ‘a’ and FO

Store at 77 degrees Fahrenheit(25C). Occasional temperature variations of 10-15F (5-8C) cooler or warmer are allowable but should not be frequent.

Side Effects

Common side effects while receiving Fenofibrate therapy are:

  • runny nose
  • sneezing
  • abnormal laboratory test results
  • back pain
  • diarrhea
  • eye irritation
  • gas/flatulence
  • increased sensitivity to sunlight

Call your Provider immediately if you experience the following:

  • sharp stomach pain radiating to the back or to the shoulder blade
  • loss of appetite
  • stomach pain after eating
  • jaundice of skin or eyes
  • fever and chills
  • weakness
  • sore throat
  • mouth sores
  • unusual bleeding or bruising
  • chest pain
  • sudden cough
  • wheezing
  • rapid breathing
  • coughing up blood
  • swelling, warmth, or redness in an arm or leg

Get emergency help immediately if you experience the following side effects:

  • hives
  • difficulty breathing
  • swelling in the face or throat
  • severe skin reaction
  • fever
  • sore throat
  • burning eyes
  • skin pain
  • red or purple skin rash
  • spreading skin rash
  • skin blistering
  • skin peeling

Warnings & Precautions

WARNING: Fenofibrate is contraindicated in liver disease.

WARNING: In rare cases Fenofibrate may cause a breakdown in skeletal muscle tissue. This condition leads to kidney failure. Call the Provider immediately if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness or weakness. If you experience fever, unusual tiredness, or dark colored urine, along with the above side effects, it is urgent that you contact the Provider.

WARNING: When Fenofibrate therapy is received while also using anticoagulants, frequent monitoring is required. Fenofibrate can prolong the prothrombin time/INR causing increased bleeding. Labs must continue until the INR re-stabilizes while using Fenofibrate.

Hypothyroidism must be corrected prior to beginning fenofibrate treatment.

Myopathy is a risk factor in fibrate treatment.

Do not take more than the prescribed dose. If accidental overdosing occurs, immediately contact your Provider.

Interactions

Severe interactions:

Using Acenocoumarol, Warfarin, and Phenindione while taking fenofibrate interferes with coagulation. Routine monitoring of INR should be increased.

These drugs, used simultaneously with Tricor, may increase the risk of rhabdomyolysis.

  • acipimox
  • colchicine
  • daptomycin
  • fluvastatin
  • atorvastatin
  • pravastatin
  • rosuvastatin
  • simvastatin

If used while taking Ciclosporin, there is a chance of kidney toxicity. Renal function must be monitored during treatment.

Ezetimibe taken while taking fenofibrate increases the risk of gallstones.

Fenofibrate also decreases the efficacy of Ursodeoxycholic acid.

Moderate interactions:

The following drugs used while taking Fenofibrate may increase the risk of hypoglycemia:

  • glipalamide
  • gliclazide
  • glimepiride
  • glipizide
  • insulin
  • tolbutamide

Some medications make Fenofibrate less effective. Fenofibrate needs to be taken either one hour before or 4-6 hours after taking the following medications:

  • cholestyramine
  • colesevelam
  • colestipol

Discuss other medication therapies you are taking with your Provider. The above drug interaction list is not comprehensive.

Contraindications

KNOWN SENSITIVITY TO FENOFIBRATE

If the patient has experienced an allergic reaction to Fenofibrate, they should not receive the drug again. Anaphylaxis has occurred in other patients. In some cases, the reaction was life-threatening, requiring emergency measures.

SEVERE KIDNEY DISEASE

Severe kidney disease patients are unable to efficiently clear this medication from their body. When the healthy functions of the kidneys are reduced by disease or hemodialysis, the medicine builds up in the body. Some kidney patients using Fenofibrate have experienced life-endangering effects.

ACTIVE LIVER DISEASE

Liver function is altered significantly during fenofibrate therapy. Patients with primary biliary cirrhosis, or any unexplained liver dysfunction, are more likely to experience severe side effects. These side effects are sometimes irreversible. Some cases have required liver transplants; some have resulted in death.

GALL BLADDER DISEASE

Fenofibrate may increase excretion of bile causing gallbladder stones. Subjects in studies confirm that there is a significant health risk in gallbladder disease patients when receiving Fenofibrate.

PANCREATITIS

Unless pancreatitis is due to severe hypertriglyceridemia, taking this medication with a pancreatitis diagnosis is a strongly contraindicated condition. Severe outcomes to pancreatitis have been documented when Fenofibrate treatment was received.

PHOTOSENSITIVTY

An adverse effect of Fenofibrate is an allergic reaction of the skin to sunlight. In some cases, the reaction is toxic and has resulted in cancer. Any other phototoxic medications taken in concert with Fenofibrate exacerbate this adverse effect. Tell your Provider if you have photosensitivity.

BREASTFEEDING

Breastfed infants are at risk for disruption of their lipid metabolism. Women should NOT breastfeed during treatment, nor for five days after treatment.

PREGNANCY

Animal studies show an increased risk for aborted litters and skeletal malformations in newborns.

Frequently Asked Questions

Patients with active liver disease should not take Fenofibrate. Severe kidney disease also contraindicates the use of Fenofibrate therapy. This medication increases the production of gallstones in patients with gallbladder disease. And severe outcomes to pancreatitis have been documented when Fenofibrate treatment was received. (Note that patients who have pancreatitis associated with hypertriglyceridemia are an exception). People who have had allergic reactions to Fenofibrate or any of its ingredients should not take fenofibrate.

This medication can help atherosclerosis and dyslipidemia patients. When these conditions are severe, Fenofibrate can be added to statin therapy to reduce triglyceride levels more efficiently. Also, patients that are unable to tolerate statin therapy benefit from Fenofibrate therapy.

Prevent exposure of your skin to sunlight. Cover up and use creams and lotions to protect your skin. An adverse effect of Fenofibrate is an allergic reaction of the skin to sunlight. In some cases, the reaction is toxic and has resulted in cancer. Any other phototoxic medications (such as ketoprofen) taken in concert with Fenofibrate exacerbate this adverse effect.

Yes. Foods high in fat may decrease the benefits of Fenofibrate therapy. Nicotine levels are increased when taking Fenofibrate. Red yeast rice, cannabidiol, and black cohosh interact with and change the benefits of Fenofibrate. Acetaminophen increases the effects of Fenofibrate. Discuss all your routine supplements and medications with your Provider so that dosing can be adjusted.

Alcohol raises triglyceride levels and may also increase the risk of liver damage while taking Fenofibrate.

Only if the benefits far outweigh the risks. Animal studies show an increased risk for aborted litters and skeletal malformations in newborns. Breastfed infants are at risk for disruption of their lipid metabolism. Women should not breastfeed during treatment, nor for at least five days after treatment.

Therapy may take two to four weeks to begin having an effect. Blood tests will be more frequent for two to four months to determine whether the medicine is working for you. Once an effective dose is established, Fenofibrate can lower total cholesterol by as much as 9 to 13 percent.

Reactions to sunlight have been observed in days to months after beginning Fenofibrate therapy. In some of these cases, there was a history of prior photosensitivity due to ketoprofen treatment. Rash and itching is most common. A reaction to sun is a rare occurrence. Rarer still is cutaneous photosensitivity with redness, vesicles, and nodules forming. Other skin reactions have been reported, including eczema, acne, fungal dermatitis, and toxic epidermal necrolysis. Discuss previous drug reactions as well as skin conditions with the Provider before initiating Fenofibrate therapy.

Yes. In rare cases Fenofibrate may cause a breakdown in skeletal muscle tissue. This condition leads to kidney failure. Call the Provider immediately if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness or weakness.

Serum aspartate aminotransferase and serum alanine aminotransferase (AST and ALT) increase. Other changes in laboratory test results may include – abnormal hepatic function tests, increased creatine phosphokinase (CPK) in blood specimen, and increased serum transaminases. Let hospital providers and others requesting laboratory tests know that you are taking Fenofibrate.

Yes, but the timing of your diabetic medications will have to be altered to limit interactions between the medications. Using fenofibrate with glyburide, glipizide, glimepiride, or insulin may cause hypoglycemia. Fenofibrate dosing will have to be monitored more closely until therapeutic values are established.

Using Warfarin or other medications that interfere with bleeding requires additional monitoring of blood chemistry. Fenofibrate alters coagulation in the body. Routine monitoring of your INR values must be increased, until a therapeutic dose to maintain bleeding times is re-established.

Hypothyroidism should be corrected prior to beginning Fenofibrate treatment. Hypothyroidism alters cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Once treated, the dosing of Fenofibrate can be prescribed.

The active ingredient is a lipid regulating agent called fenofibrate. Inactive ingredients include hypromellose 2910, docusate sodium, sucrose, sodium lauryl sulfate, lactose monohydrate, silicified microcrystalline cellulose, crospovidone, and magnesium stearate. Individual tablets have additional ingredients. The 48mg tablets also have polyvinyl alcohol, titanium dioxide, talc, soybean lecithin, xanthan gum, D&C Yellow #10 aluminum lake, FD&C Yellow #6 /sunset yellow FCF aluminum lake, FD&C Blue #2 /indigo carmine aluminum lake. And the 145mg tablets include polyvinyl alcohol, titanium dioxide, talc, soybean lecithin, xanthan gum.

Yes. Volunteers over the age of 77 – 87 years, averaged an oral clearance of 1.2 litres per hour following a single oral dose of fenofibrate. Compared to 1.1 L/h fenofibric clearance in young adults, this indicates that a similar dosage regimen can be used. Increased accumulation of the drug in the body is not likely to be different in the two age groups.