Two medicines, side by side
Fenofibrate vs niacin
Fenofibrate and niacin are both labeled for high cholesterol and high triglycerides. Drugs@FDA records approvals of fenofibrate since 1993 and of niacin since 1957. Pharmacies paid $0.103 per fenofibrate 160 mg tablet and $0.193 per niacin ER 500 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, fenofibrate is a peroxisome proliferator receptor alpha agonist and niacin a nicotinic acid.
Check it at the source: the fenofibrate FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 29, 2024); the niacin FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 14, 2023).
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 niacin record
Niacin (Niacor) · label of February 14, 2023
Used for
From the label: indicationsTherapy with lipid-altering agents should be only one component of multiple risk factor intervention in individuals at significantly increased risk for atherosclerotic vascular disease due to hyperlipidemia. Niacin therapy is indicated as an adjunct to diet when the response to a diet restricted in saturated fat and cholesterol and other nonpharmacologic measures alone has been inadequate. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- July 24, 1957
- Generic labelers
- 13 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.193 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 7
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Fenofibrate label of April 29, 2024, Niacin label of February 14, 2023); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do fenofibrate and niacin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, fenofibrate is a peroxisome proliferator receptor alpha agonist and niacin a nicotinic acid.
How each works, in its label's words: Fenofibrate, “The active moiety of TRICOR is fenofibric acid.”; Niacin, “The mechanism by which niacin alters lipid profiles has not been well defined.”
Generics: fenofibrate since 2002; niacin since 1972 (Drugs@FDA).
| Fenofibrate | Niacin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High cholesterol, High triglycerides | High cholesterol, Heart attack and coronary artery disease, High triglycerides |
| Pharmacologic class | Peroxisome Proliferator Receptor alpha Agonist | Nicotinic Acid |
| 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 mechanism by which niacin alters lipid profiles has not been well defined. |
| Half-life (label) | Fenofibric acid is eliminated with a half-life of 20 hours, allowing once daily dosing. | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 31, 1993 | July 24, 1957 |
| First generic approved | April 9, 2002 | September 15, 1972 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 54 labelers | 13 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.103 per tablet (Fenofibrate 160 mg tablet) | $0.193 per tablet (Niacin ER 500 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -14% | +17% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 8 | 7 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 35,248 | 11,548 |
| 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)
What next?
- Alternatives to fenofibrate
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions