Skip to main content
HomeDrug Comparisons
Drug bottle and Pill

Compare 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 is only available by prescription and comes in various brand names and generic forms. Fenofibrate can cause stuffy nose, back pain, and stomach pain. Unlike niacin ER, fenofibrate does not need to be taken at night and can be taken with or without food depending on the brand. Both medications can cause serious side effects, such as liver damage. Fenofibrate can also cause muscle damage, while this side effect is only expected with Niacin ER when taken with statins. However, fenofibrate also carries risks of blood clots.

  • Niacin er
    Fenofibrate
  • Niacin er
    Fenofibrate

  • Summary of Niaspan vs. Tricor

    Summary for Antilipemic

    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.

    Summary for Fibrate
    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 of Niaspan vs. Tricor

    Indications for
    •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)
    Indications for
    •Treatment of high triglycerides - add-on to diet
    •Treatment of high "bad" cholesterol (LDL), with or without high triglycerides and low "good" cholesterol (HDL) - add-on to diet

  • Pros and Cons of Niaspan vs. Tricor

    Pros and Const for Antilipemic
    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
    Pros and Const for Fibrate
    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 of Niaspan vs. Tricor

    Common Side Effects for

    Extended-release tablets:

    •Flushing (up to 69%)
    •Diarrhea (up to 14%)
    •Nausea (up to 11%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Liver damage (8%)
    •Lung problems (6%)
    •Stomach pain (5%)

  • Warnings of Niaspan vs. Tricor

    Common Side Effects for
    •Muscle breakdown that can lead to kidney and heart damage (rhabdomyolysis)
    •Liver damage
    Common Side Effects for
    •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

    Learn more about Niacin er
    Learn more about Fenofibrate

Compare other High Cholesterol and High Triglycerides drugs

Lipitor vs NiaspanLovastatin vs NiaspanNiaspan vs AntaraNiaspan vs AtorvastatinNiaspan vs CrestorNiaspan vs LopidNiaspan vs Omega 3 AcidNiaspan vs TrilipixNiaspan vs VytorinSimvastatin vs NiaspanZetia vs NiaspanLopid vs LipitorLopid vs LovazaLopid vs TricorLopid vs ZocorLovastatin vs AntaraLovastatin vs AtorvastatinLovastatin vs LivaloLovastatin vs RosuvastatinOmega 3 Acid vs AtorvastatinOmega 3 Acid vs CrestorOmega 3 Acid vs LopidPravastatin vs AntaraPravastatin vs LopidRosuvastatin vs SimvastatinSimvastatin vs AntaraSimvastatin vs AtorvastatinSimvastatin vs LivaloTrilipix vs Omega 3 AcidZetia vs Antara
View More

Browse medications

View All

Research prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.