Fenofibrate (marketed under the trade name Tricor) is a medicine of the fibrate class. Like other fibrates it diminishes the low-density protein (LDL) and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) levels.

How does this drug function?

Tricor is a lipid adjusting agent particularly formulated for oral administration with each tablet containing 48 mg or 145 mg of fenofibrate.

Fenofibrate is used to lower trygliceride (fat-like elements) levels in patients at risk of cardiovascular disease and to generate reductions in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein B - any of a group of glycoproteins that form fraction of the structure of lipoproteins, some of which have been associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

Typically this may assist to avoid the growth of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) and it as well appears to have a useful effect on the insulin resistance featured by the metabolic syndrome - a condition associated with obesity including symptoms such as glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, and raised blood pressure, which raises the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Used alone or in mixture with other medicines, Tricor may cure hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia.

For patients with diabetes, Tricor has shown to have improved some micro-vascular problems of the disease and to have had important optimistic changes in overall cardiovascular events.

Through its mechanism, Tricor triggers lipoprotein lipase and decreases production of apoprotein C-III (any conjugated protein from which the prosthetic group has been eliminated, such as). Consequently, this medicine manages to boost lipolysis (the hydrolysis of fats resulting in the making of carboxylic acids and glycerol) and removal of triglyceride-rich particles from plasma. Tricor enhances the urinary excretion of uric acid and reduces serum uric acid levels.

Tricor should be taken precisely as directed by the doctor, at the same time each day and in relation to any special dietary instructions given by the medical health care provider in order to get the best results.

Tricor has significant interactions with other drugs so try to keep away from taking it alongside with:

- inflammation or pain remedy, except narcotics
- anticoagulants (blood thinners)
- other drug for infections
- medication for arthritis (gold salts)
- Penicillamine, Cyclosporine, Cisplatin
- Deferoxamine, Plicamycin
- HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, fluvastatin, simvastatin, etc.

Tricor should not be used throughout pregnancy or breastfeeding since the potential for tumorigenicity as seen in animal studies.

As for the side effects, you can locate some of them in the list below:

- malaesia, hernia, fever, accidental injury, chest pain, flu syndrome, asthenia
- peripheral vascular disorder, tachycardia, arrhythmia, varicose vein, migraine, electrocardiogram abnormal, vasodilatation, coronary artery disorder
- gastrointestinal disorder, rectal disorder, increased appetite, vomiting, peptic ulcer, rectal hemorrhage, liver fatty deposit, cholecystitis, nausea, anorexia, gamma glutamyl transpeptidase
- anemia, leukopenia, diabetes milletus, gout, weight loss
- leg cramps, myalgia, joint disorder, arthrotis, bursitis, myositis
- dizziness, insomnia, conjunctivitis, eye disorder, otitis media
- Abnormal kidney function, cystitis, prostatic disorder, etc.