Lipofen, Tricor

Medically reviewed by Melissa Badowski, PharmD, MPH, FCCP on May 4, 2023
Written by Alex Brewer, PharmD, MBA

This article describes fenofibrate’s uses and dosage, ways to save on cost, and more. Below you’ll find some coupon options for fenofibrate.

This article doesn’t provide coupons for all forms of fenofibrate. To find coupons for fenofibrate capsule, see this article.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as fenofibrate for certain conditions. Approved uses for fenofibrate are described below.

Use for certain cholesterol problems

Doctors may prescribe fenofibrate oral tablet and capsule to treat cholesterol problems, such as high cholesterol and high triglyceride levels. Fenofibrate is used for this purpose in adults. It’s usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.

Cholesterol is a type of lipid (fat) made naturally by your liver. Cholesterol is important for vital functions your body needs to stay alive. This includes forming cell structures and certain hormones. Your body uses particles called lipoproteins to move cholesterol through your blood. There are two main types of lipoproteins:

• low-density lipoprotein (LDL), also known as “bad” cholesterol
• high-density lipoprotein (HDL), also known as “good” cholesterol

High cholesterol happens when your LDL cholesterol or total cholesterol level becomes too high. (Total cholesterol refers to LDL, HDL, and triglyceride levels.)

Triglycerides are another type of fat. If you consume more calories than your body needs, your body may store excess calories as triglycerides to use as energy. Over time, this can lead to a high triglyceride level.

High cholesterol and high triglyceride levels typically don’t cause symptoms. But having these conditions increases the risk of serious health problems, such as heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.

Fenofibrate is prescribed together with lifestyle changes, including changes in diet.

Fenofibrate may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of fenofibrate and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about fenofibrate’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also read the prescribing information* for fenofibrate.

* To view fenofibrate’s prescribing information, see the “Article resources” section below.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with some forms of fenofibrate are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about fenofibrate’s side effects based on the form, see the prescribing information* for fenofibrate.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Mild side effects of fenofibrate oral tablet and oral capsule include:

• unusual liver enzyme level
• stuffy or runny nose
• back or abdominal pain
• headache
• mild allergic reaction†

* To view fenofibrate’s prescribing information, see the “Article resources” section below.
† For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for fenofibrate” section below.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of fenofibrate are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about fenofibrate’s side effects based on the form, see the prescribing information* for fenofibrate.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, fenofibrate’s serious side effects include:

• liver damage
• gallstones
• severe muscle problems, including myopathy (a muscle disorder that causes muscle pain, stiffness, or weakness) and rhabdomyolysis (breakdown of damaged muscle)
• pancreatitis (inflammation in your pancreas)
• severe allergic reaction†

* To view fenofibrate’s prescribing information, see the “Article resources” section below.
† For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for fenofibrate” section below.

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about fenofibrate. 

Can fenofibrate be taken with statins, such as atorvastatin or rosuvastatin?

Yes, if your doctor advises it’s safe to do so. Fenofibrate may be prescribed with other medications, including statins, to treat high cholesterol. These include atorvastatin (Lipitor) and rosuvastatin (Crestor).

However, taking fenofibrate with a statin raises your risk of severe muscle problems. These are rare but serious side effects of both statins and fenofibrate. To learn more, see the “Side effects of fenofibrate” section above.

Due to this risk, doctors typically only prescribe fenofibrate with a statin if the benefits of this combination outweigh the risks.

Talk with your doctor to learn more about treatment options for high cholesterol. They can discuss other medications that may be prescribed with fenofibrate for your condition.

Are hair loss, weight gain, or kidney-related effects possible side effects of fenofibrate?

Maybe. Hair loss and weight gain were not side effects reported in people taking fenofibrate in studies. However, hair loss and weight changes, including loss or gain, have been reported by people taking fenofibrate since the drug was approved for use. But it’s not known whether fenofibrate or other factors caused these effects.

Rarely, a rise in blood creatinine has been reported in some people taking fenofibrate. (Creatinine is a substance that your kidneys remove from your body. It’s measured in blood tests to check kidney function.)

In most people, this rise doesn’t cause problems, and it goes away if fenofibrate treatment is stopped. But in people with a kidney condition, such as chronic kidney disease, an increase in blood creatinine may worsen the condition.

If you have a kidney condition, talk with your doctor about whether fenofibrate is safe for you to take. Your doctor can also answer other questions you may have about possible side effects that fenofibrate may cause.

If I suddenly stop taking fenofibrate, will I experience withdrawal symptoms?

No, it isn’t likely. Withdrawal symptoms weren’t reported in fenofibrate’s studies. (Withdrawal symptoms refer to side effects that start after stopping a drug your body is dependent on.)

That said, if you stop taking fenofibrate, your cholesterol levels may rise. Do not stop taking fenofibrate unless your doctor specifically advises you to do so.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about what to expect if you stop taking fenofibrate.

How does fenofibrate compare with gemfibrozil?

Fenofibrate and gemfibrozil are similar drugs. Both belong to the group of drugs called fibrates. They’re used to treat certain cholesterol problems.

Specifically, fenofibrate and gemfibrozil are both used to treat high triglycerides. But unlike fenofibrate, gemfibrozil may be used to lower the risk of coronary heart disease in some people with certain cholesterol problems.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’d like to learn more about how fenofibrate and gemfibrozil compare.

Does fenofibrate cause long-term side effects?

Yes, in some cases, fenofibrate may cause long-term side effects. Examples may include:

• liver damage
• gallstones
• severe muscle problems, including myopathy (a muscle disorder that causes muscle pain, stiffness, or weakness) and rhabdomyolysis (breakdown of damaged muscle)
• pancreatitis (inflammation in your pancreas)

These side effects can occur if you take the drug for a long time. They may also last for a while after you’ve stopped taking the drug.

Talk with your doctor to learn more about these side effects and how to best manage them. Ask your doctor for more information about how long these side effects of fenofibrate may last.

How does fenofibrate work? And how long does it take to start working?

How fenofibrate works isn’t fully understood. But it’s thought to work by increasing the breakdown and removal of triglycerides (a type of fat) and cholesterol in your blood.

Fenofibrate begins working with your first dose, but you likely won’t “feel” this medication working. It may take several weeks before your triglyceride level begins to drop. Your doctor can provide more information on how they’ll monitor whether fenofibrate is working for you. They’ll likely order regular blood tests to check your triglyceride and cholesterol levels during treatment.

If you have questions about what to expect with fenofibrate treatment, talk with your doctor.

The dosage of fenofibrate your doctor prescribes may vary based on your condition and certain other factors. Talk with your doctor about the dosage you should follow.

Taking fenofibrate

Fenofibrate oral tablet and capsule are swallowed. You’ll take your dose with food.

Your doctor will talk with you about how to take fenofibrate. They’ll explain how much to take and how often. Always follow your doctor’s recommendation.

Overdose of fenofibrate

You should not take more fenofibrate than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to serious side effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve taken too much fenofibrate, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Below, you’ll find information about fenofibrate’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of fenofibrate

Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you take fenofibrate, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription drugs
• over-the-counter medications
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for fenofibrate” section below.

Warnings for fenofibrate

Fenofibrate should not be taken by certain people and some people should take it cautiously.

Fenofibrate could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether fenofibrate is a safe option for you. These warnings may differ based on the form of fenofibrate you take.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for fenofibrate, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Fenofibrate can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to fenofibrate or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe fenofibrate. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to fenofibrate, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and fenofibrate

Information about fenofibrate and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Fenofibrate and pregnancy

It’s not known whether fenofibrate should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Fenofibrate and breastfeeding

Fenofibrate should not be taken while breastfeeding. You should also avoid breastfeeding for at least 5 days following your last dose of fenofibrate.

If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may recommend other ways to feed your child during treatment with fenofibrate.

You may be able to save money on your prescription for fenofibrate by using our Perks discount coupons. They can be found at the end of this article.

If you have questions about how to pay for fenofibrate, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

This article describes fenofibrate’s uses and dosage, ways to save on cost, and more. Let your doctor know if you have questions about fenofibrate or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Can I take fenofibrate for weight loss?
• How does fenofibrate compare with other treatments for lowering cholesterol?
• What type of diet should I follow while I’m taking fenofibrate?
• Does my medical history raise my risk of side effects from fenofibrate?

• Fenofibrate- fenofibrate capsule. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/6e79dd5a-7f8e-53a9-e053-2991aa0a1ecd/spl-doc
• Fenofibrate- fenofibrate tablet. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/f7590970-c54d-24e9-e053-6294a90ac400/spl-doc
• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Gemfibrozil- gemfibrozil tablet. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/2cb2de4d-8261-46d8-ae63-c572fdc887d4/spl-doc

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.