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Niaspan vs. Tricor

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Niacin ER (niacin) and Fenofibrate (fenofibrate) are both used to manage high cholesterol and triglycerides, but they belong to different medication classes and work in distinct ways. Niacin ER, also known as vitamin B3, is an antilipemic that helps lower "bad" LDL cholesterol and triglycerides while raising "good" HDL cholesterol. Common side effects include flushing and stomach upset. Fenofibrate, on the other hand, is a fibrate that primarily lowers triglycerides and also helps with LDL and HDL cholesterol levels. It comes in various brand names and generic forms. Fenofibrate can cause liver problems, muscle damage, and stomach pain. Unlike niacin ER, fenofibrate does not need to be taken at night and is typically taken once daily. Both medications can cause serious side effects, such as liver damage and muscle pain, especially when taken with statins. However, fenofibrate has additional risks like blood clots.

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Fenofibrate

 

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Summary for Niaspan

Prescription or over-the-counter

Niacin ER (also known as vitamin B3) is a prescription antilipemic medication for adults. It's used to lower high cholesterol and triglycerides (a common form of fat) levels, but it's not a first-choice option for this condition. Niacin ER is taken by mouth once daily, while niacin (Niacor) is typically taken three times daily. Some side effects of niacin ER include flushing and stomach upset. Please note that niacin is also available over-the-counter to treat vitamin B3 deficiency.

Indications for Niaspan

  • High cholesterol and high triglycerides
  • Lower risk of repeat heart attack in people with a history of heart attack and high cholesterol
  • Slow plaque buildup in the arteries of people with a history of coronary artery disease (CAD) and high cholesterol (as an add-on medication)
  • Severely high triglycerides in people who are at risk of pancreatitis (as an add-on medication)

Pros and Cons for Niaspan

Pros

  • Can lower “bad” (LDL) cholesterol and raise “good” (HDL) cholesterol in people who have trouble doing so with diet and exercise alone
  • Can also lower triglycerides
  • An option for people who didn’t have success or had side effects with statins
  • Available as a lower-cost generic medication

Cons

  • Doesn’t work as well as statin medications in lowering cholesterol and triglycerides
  • Can cause flushing, a bothersome side effect
  • Need to take immediate-release form multiple times a day
  • Not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding

Common Side Effects for Niaspan

Extended-release tablets:

  • Flushing (up to 69%)
  • Diarrhea (up to 14%)
  • Nausea (up to 11%)

Warnings for Niaspan

  • Muscle breakdown that can lead to kidney and heart damage (rhabdomyolysis)
  • Liver damage

Summary for Tricor

Prescription only

Fenofibrate (also known as fenofibric acid) is used as an add-on medication to diet to treat high triglycerides and high cholesterol. Common side effects include liver problems, breathing problems, and stomach pain. Fenofibrate includes a warning about avoiding statin medications because of the risk of muscle damage, and also because it doesn't add any extra benefit in reducing the risk of heart problems compared to taking a statin alone. Fenofibrate is available in many brand names (e.g., Antara, Tricor, Trilipix), generics, and dosage forms (e.g., micronized capsules, delayed-release capsules, tablets).

Indications for Tricor

Pros and Cons for Tricor

Pros

  • Lowers triglycerides and LDL ("bad" cholesterol) while raising HDL ("good" cholesterol)
  • Only needs to be taken once daily
  • Some brands can be taken with or without food
  • Some brands available as lower-cost generics

Cons

  • Need to take it alongside a low-fat diet; doesn't work well on its own
  • Can cause muscle damage, especially if taken with a statin
  • Not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding
  • Can't take if you have liver, severe kidney, or gallbladder problems

Common Side Effects for Tricor

Warnings for Tricor

  • Liver damage
  • Muscle damage (myopathy and rhabdomyolysis)
  • Possible effect on the kidneys
  • Allergic reactions
  • Gallstones
  • Pancreatitis
  • Blood clots

Prices with our coupons for Niaspan vs. Tricor

Price Card Drug Icon
Niacin ER90 tablets / 500mg
$27.95$288.83
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Price Card Drug Icon
Fenofibrate30 tablets / 160mg
$12.69$49.48
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