Lopid vs. Tricor, Trilipix

Lopid (gemfibrozil) and Tricor and Trilipix (fenofibrate) are lipid-regulating agents used to treat high cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Side effects of Lopid and Tricor and Trilipix that are similar include stomach/abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, headache, and runny or stuffy nose.

Side effects of Lopid that are different from Tricor and Trilipix include stomach upset, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, joint or muscle pain, loss of interest in sex, impotence, difficulty having an orgasm, numbness or tingly feeling, unusual taste, or cold symptoms (such as sneezing, sore throat).

Side effects of Tricor and Trilipix that are different from Lopid include back pain, yellowing eyes/skin (jaundice), dark urine, rash, itching, and swelling.

Both Lopid and Tricor and Trilipix may interact with alcohol, other cholesterol-lowering drugs, blood thinners, or colchicine.

Lopid may also interact with insulin or oral diabetes medications.

Tricor and Trilipix may also interact with medicines to treat a bowel disorder, antiviral medications, pain or arthritis medicines (including aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen), drugs that weaken the immune system (such as cancer medicines, chemotherapy, steroids, and medicines to prevent organ transplant rejection), or injected antibiotics.

Common side effects of Lopid include:

• stomach upset,
• stomach/abdominal pain,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• diarrhea,
• headache,
• dizziness,
• drowsiness,
• joint or muscle pain,
• loss of interest in sex,
• impotence,
• difficulty having an orgasm,
• numbness or tingly feeling,
• unusual taste, or
• cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat.

Lopid may infrequently cause gallstones and liver problems.

Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following unlikely, but serious side effects of Lopid including:

• severe stomach/abdominal pain,
• persistent nausea or vomiting,
• yellowing eyes or skin, and
• dark urine.

Common side effects of Tricor, Trilipix include:

• abdominal or stomach pain,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• back pain,
• headache,
• runny or stuffy nose,
• yellowing eyes/skin,
• dark urine,
• rash,
• itching, and
• swelling.

Lopid (gemfibrozil) is a lipid regulating agent used to treat very high cholesterol and triglyceride levels in people with pancreatitis, and is also used to lower the risk of stroke, heart attack, or other heart complications in people with high cholesterol and triglycerides who have not been helped by other treatments. Lopid is available in generic form.

Tricor, Trilipix (fenofibrate) is an antilipemic agent and fibric acid prescribed for reducing "bad" cholesterol and fats (for example, LDL and triglycerides) and for raising "good" cholesterol (HDL) in the blood.

Lopid may interact with blood thinners, insulin or oral diabetes medication, or other cholesterol-lowering drugs. Tell your doctor all medications you use. Lopid is not recommended for use during pregnancy. It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk.

Tricor, Trilipix may interact with blood thinners, medicines to treat a bowel disorder, medications to prevent organ transplant rejection, antiviral medications, chemotherapy, pain or arthritis medicines (including aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen), or injected antibiotics. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. There are no adequate studies of Tricor in pregnant women. Tricor passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Breastfeeding while taking Tricor is not recommended. Use during pregnancy is not recommended unless the potential benefit outweighs the potential unknown risk to the fetus.

The recommended dose of Lopid for adults is 1200 mg administered in two divided doses 30 minutes before the morning and evening meals.

Tricor usual adult dose is 48-154 mg/day.