Two medicines, side by side
Simvastatin vs fenofibrate
Simvastatin and fenofibrate are both labeled for high cholesterol and high triglycerides. Drugs@FDA records approvals of simvastatin since 1991 and of fenofibrate since 1993. Pharmacies paid $0.0321 per simvastatin 20 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, simvastatin is a hmg-coa reductase inhibitor and fenofibrate a peroxisome proliferator receptor alpha agonist.
Check it at the source: the simvastatin FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 28, 2025); the fenofibrate FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 29, 2024).
Highlights of the simvastatin record
Simvastatin (Zocor) · label of March 28, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsZOCOR ® is indicated: To reduce the risk of total mortality by reducing risk of coronary heart disease death, non-fatal myocardial infarction and stroke, and the need for coronary and non-coronary revascularization procedures in adults with established coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral vascular disease, and/or diabetes, who are at high risk of coronary heart disease events. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 23, 1991
- Generic labelers
- 27 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0321 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 26
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 (Simvastatin label of March 28, 2025, Fenofibrate label of April 29, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do simvastatin and fenofibrate differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, simvastatin is a hmg-coa reductase inhibitor and fenofibrate a peroxisome proliferator receptor alpha agonist.
How each works, in its label's words: Simvastatin, “Simvastatin is a prodrug and is hydrolyzed to its active β-hydroxyacid form, simvastatin acid, after administration.”; Fenofibrate, “The active moiety of TRICOR is fenofibric acid.”
Generics: simvastatin since 2006; fenofibrate since 2002 (Drugs@FDA).
| Simvastatin | Fenofibrate | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Heart attack and coronary artery disease, High cholesterol, High triglycerides | High cholesterol, High triglycerides |
| Pharmacologic class | HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor | Peroxisome Proliferator Receptor alpha Agonist |
| How it works (label) | Simvastatin is a prodrug and is hydrolyzed to its active β-hydroxyacid form, simvastatin acid, after administration. | 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) | n/a | Fenofibric acid is eliminated with a half-life of 20 hours, allowing once daily dosing. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 23, 1991 | December 31, 1993 |
| First generic approved | June 23, 2006 | April 9, 2002 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 27 labelers | 54 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0321 per tablet (Simvastatin 20 mg tablet) | $0.103 per tablet (Fenofibrate 160 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +5% | -14% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 26 | 8 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 248,728 | 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)
What next?
- Alternatives to simvastatin
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions