Last reviewed 2026-04-20 · How we verify

Tricor (Micronized) (FENOFIBRATE)

Fenofibrate activates PPARα, enhancing lipolysis and reducing triglycerides, while increasing HDL-cholesterol and uric acid excretion.

Tricor (Micronized) (FENOFIBRATE) is a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha agonist, originally developed by ABBVIE and currently owned by Salix. It targets the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma and is used to treat various lipid disorders, including hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and mixed hyperlipidemia. Tricor is a small molecule with a half-life of 20 hours and is available as a generic medication. It has been FDA-approved since 1993 and is off-patent, with 33 generic manufacturers. Key safety considerations include monitoring liver function and potential interactions with other medications.

At a glance

Mechanism of action

Fenofibrate works by activating PPARα, which increases the breakdown of fats and reduces triglyceride levels in the blood. This activation also leads to increased production of good cholesterol (HDL) and helps remove excess uric acid from the body.

Approved indications

• At increased risk of coronary heart disease
• Familial hypercholesterolemia - heterozygous
• Hypercholesterolemia
• Hyperlipidemia
• Hypertriglyceridemia
• Hypoalphalipoproteinemia
• Mixed hyperlipidemia

Common side effects

• Abdominal Pain
• Back Pain
• Headache
• Abnormal Liver Function Tests
• Increased ALT
• Increased CPK
• Increased AST
• Respiratory Disorder
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Rhinitis
• Increases in liver function tests

Drug interactions

• lovastatin
• pravastatin
• simvastatin

Key clinical trials

• Antiangiogenic Therapy for Children With Recurrent Medulloblastoma, Ependymoma, ATRT and Rare CNS Tumors (PHASE2)
• A Pilot Study of Fenofibrate to Prevent Kidney Function Loss in Type 1 Diabetes (PHASE2)
• The Fenofibrate And Microvascular Events in Type 1 Diabetes Eye. (PHASE3)
• Fenofibrate in Primary Biliary Cholangitis: a Real World Study (PHASE3)
• Fenofibrate Combined With Ursodeoxycholic Acid in Subjects With Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PHASE3)
• Fenofibrate in Combination With Ursodeoxycholic Acid in Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PHASE2,PHASE3)
• Fenofibrate in Combination With Ursodeoxycholic Acid in Primary Biliary Cholangitis: a Real World Study (PHASE3)
• Fenofibrate for Compensated Cirrhosis Patients With Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PHASE2,PHASE3)

Patents

Primary sources

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