Two medicines, side by side
Fenofibrate vs fenofibric acid
Fenofibrate and fenofibric acid are both labeled for high cholesterol and high triglycerides. Drugs@FDA records approvals of fenofibrate since 1993 and of fenofibric acid since 2008. Pharmacies paid $0.103 per fenofibrate 160 mg tablet and $0.286 per fenofibric acid DR 135 mg capsule (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. How each works, in its label's words: Fenofibrate, “The active moiety of TRICOR is fenofibric acid.”; Fenofibric acid, “The active moiety of fenofibric acid delayed-release capsules is fenofibric acid.”
Check it at the source: the fenofibrate FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 29, 2024); the fenofibric acid FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 2, 2025).
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
Highlights of the fenofibric acid record
Fenofibric acid (Trilipix) · label of August 2, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsFenofibric acid delayed-release capsules are indicated as adjunctive therapy to diet: to reduce triglyceride (TG) levels in adults with severe hypertriglyceridemia (TG greater than or equal to 500 mg/dL). to reduce elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in adults with primary hyperlipidemia when use of recommended LDL-C lowering therapy is not possible. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 15, 2008
- Generic labelers
- 7 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.286 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 4
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Fenofibrate label of April 29, 2024, Fenofibric acid label of August 2, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do fenofibrate and fenofibric acid differ on the record?
How each works, in its label's words: Fenofibrate, “The active moiety of TRICOR is fenofibric acid.”; Fenofibric acid, “The active moiety of fenofibric acid delayed-release capsules is fenofibric acid.”
Both are in FDA's class peroxisome proliferator receptor alpha agonists.
Half-life, in each label's words: Fenofibrate, “Fenofibric acid is eliminated with a half-life of 20 hours, allowing once daily dosing.”; Fenofibric acid, “Elimination Fenofibric acid is eliminated with a half-life of approximately 20 hours, allowing once daily …”
Generics: fenofibrate since 2002; fenofibric acid since 2013 (Drugs@FDA).
| Fenofibrate | Fenofibric acid | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High cholesterol, High triglycerides | High cholesterol, High triglycerides |
| Pharmacologic class | Peroxisome Proliferator Receptor alpha Agonist | Peroxisome Proliferator Receptor alpha Agonist |
| How it works (label) | 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. | The active moiety of fenofibric acid delayed-release capsules is fenofibric acid. The pharmacological effects of fenofibric acid in both animals and humans have been studied through oral administration of fenofibrate. |
| Half-life (label) | Fenofibric acid is eliminated with a half-life of 20 hours, allowing once daily dosing. | Elimination Fenofibric acid is eliminated with a half-life of approximately 20 hours, allowing once daily administration of fenofibric acid delayed-release capsules. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 31, 1993 | December 15, 2008 |
| First generic approved | April 9, 2002 | March 25, 2013 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 54 labelers | 7 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.103 per tablet (Fenofibrate 160 mg tablet) | $0.286 per capsule (Fenofibric acid DR 135 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | -14% | +4% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 8 | 4 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 35,248 | 776 |
| 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?
Fenofibrate label, contraindications… and Precautions ( 5.5 ) ]. nursing mothers [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.2 ) ]. patients with known hypersensitivity to fenofibrate or fenofibric acid [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.9 ) ].
Fenofibrate label, contraindicationsCONTRAINDICATIONS Severe renal impairment, including those with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and those receiving dialysis ( 4 ) Active liver disease, including those with unexplained persistent liver function abnormalities ( 4 ) Pre-existing gallbladder disease ( 4 ) Hypersensitivity to fenofibrate fenofibric acid, or any of the excipients in Antara ( 4 ) Antara is contraindicated in patients with:
Fenofibric acid label, contraindicationsHypersensitivity to fenofibric acid, fenofibrate, or any of the excipients in fenofibric acid delayed-release capsules.
Fenofibric acid label, warnings and precautionsCholelithiasis: Fenofibrate may increase cholesterol excretion into the bile, leading to cholelithiasis.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to fenofibrate
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions