Two medicines, side by side
Ezetimibe vs fenofibrate
Ezetimibe and fenofibrate are both labeled for high cholesterol. Drugs@FDA records approvals of ezetimibe since 2002 and of fenofibrate since 1993. Pharmacies paid $0.0667 per ezetimibe 10 mg tablet and $0.103 per fenofibrate 160 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, ezetimibe is a dietary cholesterol absorption inhibitor and fenofibrate a peroxisome proliferator receptor alpha agonist.
Check it at the source: the ezetimibe FDA label on DailyMed (effective November 25, 2025); the fenofibrate FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 29, 2024).
Highlights of the ezetimibe record
Ezetimibe (Zetia) · label of November 25, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsZETIA ® is indicated: In combination with a statin, or alone when additional low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering therapy is not possible, as an adjunct to diet to reduce elevated LDL-C in adults with primary hyperlipidemia, including heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH). […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- October 25, 2002
- Generic labelers
- 23 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0667 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Highlights of the fenofibrate record
Fenofibrate (Tricor) · label of April 29, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsTRICOR is a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) alpha agonist indicated as an adjunct to diet: To reduce elevated LDL-C, Total-C, TG and Apo B, and to increase HDL-C in adult patients with primary hypercholesterolemia or mixed dyslipidemia ( 1.1 ). For treatment of adult patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia ( 1.2 ). […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 31, 1993
- Generic labelers
- 54 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.103 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 8
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Ezetimibe label of November 25, 2025, Fenofibrate label of April 29, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do ezetimibe and fenofibrate differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, ezetimibe is a dietary cholesterol absorption inhibitor and fenofibrate a peroxisome proliferator receptor alpha agonist.
How each works, in its label's words: Ezetimibe, “Ezetimibe reduces blood cholesterol by inhibiting the absorption of cholesterol by the small intestine.”; Fenofibrate, “The active moiety of TRICOR is fenofibric acid.”
Half-life, in each label's words: Ezetimibe, “Both ezetimibe and ezetimibe-glucuronide are eliminated from plasma with a half-life of approximately 22 hours for both …”; Fenofibrate, “Fenofibric acid is eliminated with a half-life of 20 hours, allowing once daily dosing.”
Generics: ezetimibe since 2015; fenofibrate since 2002 (Drugs@FDA).
| Ezetimibe | Fenofibrate | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High cholesterol | High cholesterol, High triglycerides |
| Pharmacologic class | Dietary Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitor | Peroxisome Proliferator Receptor alpha Agonist |
| How it works (label) | Ezetimibe reduces blood cholesterol by inhibiting the absorption of cholesterol by the small intestine. | The active moiety of TRICOR is fenofibric acid. The pharmacological effects of fenofibric acid in both animals and humans have been extensively studied through oral administration of fenofibrate. |
| Half-life (label) | Both ezetimibe and ezetimibe-glucuronide are eliminated from plasma with a half-life of approximately 22 hours for both ezetimibe and ezetimibe-glucuronide. | Fenofibric acid is eliminated with a half-life of 20 hours, allowing once daily dosing. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | October 25, 2002 | December 31, 1993 |
| First generic approved | June 26, 2015 | April 9, 2002 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 23 labelers | 54 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0667 per tablet (Ezetimibe 10 mg tablet) | $0.103 per tablet (Fenofibrate 160 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -6% | -14% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 0 | 8 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 74,543 | 35,248 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
Do their labels mention each other?
Ezetimibe label, contraindicationsWhen used in combination with a statin, fenofibrate, or other LDL-C lowering therapy, ZETIA is contraindicated in patients for whom a statin, fenofibrate, or other LDL-C lowering therapy are contraindicated.
Ezetimibe label, drug interactionsClinical Impact: Both fenofibrate and ezetimibe may increase cholesterol excretion into the bile, leading to cholelithiasis. Co-administration of ZETIA with fibrates other than fenofibrate is not recommended. Intervention: If cholelithiasis is suspected in a patient receiving ZETIA and fenofibrate, gallbladder studies are indicated, and alternative lipid-lowering therapy should be considered.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to ezetimibe
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions