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Emerging Drug Safety Issue Regarding Abbott’s TriCor Triglycerides Medication

Barron’s June 2007 Report: Experts Are Concerned That TriCor May Cause Decline In Kidney Functions

(Posted by Tom Lamb at DrugInjuryWatch.com)

The weekly business newspaper Barron’s reported on June 3, 2007 that some expert cardiologists and nephrologists have raised questions about the safety of TriCor (fenofibrate), a drug from Abbott Laboratories Inc. which is intended to help patients lower their triglycerides, or non-cholesterol fat.

According to a June 3, 2007 Reuters article about this TriCor report:

…some experts say they are concerned that fenofibrate, the generic name of TriCor, may cause decline in kidney functions. Other doctors, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration and Abbott executives say there is no cause for concern, the newspaper said.

There was no immediate comment from Abbott on the Barron’s article.

The report comes as analysts predict sales of [TriCor] will grow by double digits in the next few years and Abbott is planning to reformulate it and combine it with a statin to create a product that takes aim at triglycerides and bad cholesterol.

We expect there will be more discussion about this emerging issue about the safety of TriCor in the weeks to come.  As stated in the June 2007 Barron’s report, "questions about TriCor seem destined to grow".

P.S.  An earlier Barron’s article, "Trials Ahead for a Drug Maker", last updated on June 2, 2007, provided more detail.  In summary, a study by prominent cardiologist Steven Nissen, M.D., published in March 2007 by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reported that TriCor causes above-normal increases in a substance called creatinine. Increased creatinine levels usually indicate kidney malfunctions. This earlier Barron’s article covers the difference of opinions among medical professionals, along with the views of FDA and Abbott, about whether TriCor is an unsafe drug.  According to this Barron’s article, Dr. Steven Nissen’s current position: "There is concern raised by the finding but it is not definitive."  (6/5/07)

18 responses to “Emerging Drug Safety Issue Regarding Abbott’s TriCor Triglycerides Medication”

  1. Mikey Avatar
    Mikey

    I have to say there is a concern. I have been trying to figure out for the last 8 months why my creatinine level went up all of a sudden. Stopped taking TriCor a month ago and levels are now back to normal.

    Reply
  2. Tom Lamb Avatar
    Tom Lamb

    You may want to discuss this apparent association between TriCor and your increased creatinine levels (if you have not already) so that your medical history is updated to note that TriCor should probably be avoided. In addition, in so doing, you might be the first to bring this emerging drug safety issue about Tricor to your doctor’s attention.
    Thanks for reading Drug Injury Watch.
    Tom Lamb

    Reply
  3. Chris Avatar
    Chris

    Can anyone suggest what to take? I have had elevated cholesterol and my trigycerides have been over 300 to 900 for the last 4 years. I have fought and fought not taking something but after Niacin, Fish oil and everything else…..I need something!
    So, do i take Tricor? Lipitor? It seems Lipitor is safest but all my doctors say tricor because of my Tryglicerides….
    Any input would be appreciated!! THANKS!!
    Chris Male 34

    Reply
  4. Tom Lamb Avatar
    Tom Lamb

    As an attorey I am not in a position to give medical advice, and I have no personal experience as regards these drugs to share with you.
    Perhaps another reader will give you some guidance. The best approach, however, is to speak with one of your doctors the next time you have an office visit.
    Thanks for reading Drug Injury Watch.
    Tom Lamb

    Reply
  5. Bryant Kolner Avatar
    Bryant Kolner

    Hi…I was taking Tricor for 4 years and in March 2007, I hurt so bad that I could barely walk or stand up. FYI…I’m a 275 #, very muscular police officer. My left foot and ankle were essentially dead…I couldn’t move them. I stopped the Tricor and within 4 days I improved. I still have trouble walking and standing. Your comments would be welcome. Any lawsuits vs Tricor ?

    Reply
  6. Tom Lamb Avatar
    Tom Lamb

    I appreciate you taking the time to let us know about your experience with Tricor.
    I am not aware of any lawsuits filed concerning Tricor side effects. You may want to make an inquiry to the Lieff Cabraser law firm in San Francisco, or some other large national plaintiffs law firm, about any Tricor litigation that they might be involved with or know about at the present time.
    Thanks for reading Drug Injury Watch.
    Tom Lamb

    Reply
  7. joyce olds Avatar
    joyce olds

    I have taking TriCor for about 3 years and my cholesterol & Trigycerides are still to high I tak fish oil. I thought the TriCor was suppose to lower it. And my also takes it. And has been have some bad Kidney troubles they are working at just 25 per cent. Could the TriCor have casused this.

    Reply
  8. Tom Lamb Avatar
    Tom Lamb

    Being only an attorney and not a physician, I am not in a position to answer these questions. They are, however, good questions to ask; you should address them to the prescribing doctor or one of your other doctors when you have the opportunity to do so.
    Thanks for reading Drug Injury Watch.
    Tom Lamb

    Reply
  9. lj Avatar
    lj

    i was on tricor for a year.. from day one to the last day i was miserable. break outs on my skin, swollen lips, gums.. sore throat… fatigue… pain in muscles… cramps…. many things…
    i think that one year was too long to give that junk a chance. i still don’t feel quite the same.. i’m not sure what tricor’s done.. but i know i didn’t have those things before and i still get a tender throat and my gums are still puffy.
    🙁

    Reply
  10. Tom Lamb Avatar
    Tom Lamb

    lj:
    Sorry to hear about the unpleasant conditions you experienced following your use of Tricor.
    I hope things get better for you, soon, and that you keep reading Drug Injury Watch.
    Tom Lamb

    Reply
  11. Baldonick Fernandez Avatar
    Baldonick Fernandez

    I was on tricor for almost 2 years and it caused several episodes of acute pancreatitis including a bad episode in Buenos Aires, after several complains to my doctor, which had no clue, my gall bladder was removed after the gastriologist found that the gall bladder was damaged and was causing the pancreatitis by createing some gall stones in the vial duct. The gall bladder was removed nearly 3 years ago and several months after the gall bladder, abbott send me a letter saying by the way this drug may damage the gall bladder. Gee it is unreal that they do not inform the doctors of this side effect. Since this episode, I have stopped taking these medicines(poison) and take Niacin, Fish Oil, and Red Yeast Rice with great results and NO side effects. Question, do you see any recourse for a lawsuit against abbott to avoid this problem to another poor fool?
    Thanks,
    Nick F.

    Reply
  12. Tom Lamb Avatar
    Tom Lamb

    Nick:
    Thanks for taking the time to share the experience you had while using TriCor.
    Hopefully, your information will bring attention to possible TriCor side effects — to the benefit of future patients using TriCor as well as their prescribing or treating doctors.
    Tom Lamb

    Reply
  13. judyt@htc.net Avatar
    judyt@htc.net

    I too took tricor. And have been on this medication for about 4 years. I have noticed that my ability to hold my urine has gotten worse and worse. Also, pain in muscles. cramps through out my body and pains in my left side have been a constant for me. I stopped taking the medication about 5 days ago and have noticed a difference in all areas. They have all improved. I recently stopped taking my high cholesterol medication because of severe muscle pain in my legs and it improved, but not all the way. I do not have the cramping any longer since I stopped the tricor and am a much happier camper. I had a heart attack in 2005, and have been suffering from side affects of the medications ever since. I am now feeling about 70% better and know that I will improve. I have told my doctor about the medications and he was worried for me about another heart attack, but says the side affects are sometimes worse than the disease itself. I will be looking into fish oils and a much better diet and exercise program (which I could not exercise before because of the severe pain) and see if I can improve my situation then. Hope this will help others. I have enough pain and feel that medication should help, not make things worse.

    Reply
  14. Tom Lamb Avatar
    Tom Lamb

    JudyT:
    I appreciate you sharing your experience using Tricor with us, and I am sure other readers will benefit from your information.
    I hope you continue to read Drug Injury Watch.
    Tom Lamb

    Reply
  15. Ali Avatar
    Ali

    My Creatinine has gone up 30% in the past 8 months. I started Tricor about 8 months ago.
    This site has provided good information from me to share wiyh my doctor.
    Thank You.

    Reply
  16. Tom Lamb Avatar
    Tom Lamb

    Ali:
    I am glad you found the TriCor information useful.
    Unfortunately, the links to the source material for this 2007 article appear to be “dead” now, so you cannot print them to show your doctor.
    As regards telling your doctor about what you read on this blog, keep in mind that I am only an attorney who handles drug injury cases; I am not a physician who practices medicine like your doctor.
    I wish you the best and hope that you continue to read Drug Injury Watch.
    Tom Lamb

    Reply
  17. Sally Couvillon Avatar
    Sally Couvillon

    It caused reoccurring pancreatitis for me as well for three straight years and ruined my pancreas!
    Sally E.

    Reply
  18. Becky Avatar
    Becky

    I have been on Tricor for about 6 yrs. and about a year and a half ago, I was told I am in stage 3 kidney disease because my creatinine was up to 1.7. I was devastated. They took me off NSAIDS, aspirin, and my ace inhibitor )benazepril for blood pressure and put me on hydralazine and atenolol. One day I ran out of tricor, and I do take simvastin and had the drug at 40mg. Earlier the doc told me to take half of that pill because I had muscle aches. After I ran out of tricor, I just decided to take the whole simvastatin pill and forget the tricor temporarily. However, something wonderful has happened. After being off the tricor for about 3 weeks, my creatinine is now 1.1 (a normal range) and my blood sugar has gone down and I only need about half the insulin I once took. This can’t be a coincidence. I believe tricor is a bad drug.

    Reply

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