Lopid

Generic Name: gemfibrozil
Other Brand Names: gemfibrozil

What is gemfibrozil?

The exact way that gemfibrozil works to reduce cholesterol and triglycerides (types of fat) in the blood is not known. High levels of fat in the blood are associated with an increased chance of heart disease, strokes, and other illnesses.

Gemfibrozil is used to lower high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood.

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Uses Side Effects Precautions Interactions Overdose
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking gemfibrozil?

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have

  • liver disease;

  • kidney disease; or

  • gallbladder disease.

You may not be able to take gemfibrozil, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Gemfibrozil is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether gemfibrozil will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether gemfibrozil passes into breast milk. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take gemfibrozil?

Take gemfibrozil exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass (8 ounces) of water.

Gemfibrozil is usually taken twice daily, 30 minutes before breakfast and dinner. Follow your doctor’s instructions.

It is important to take gemfibrozil regularly to get the most benefit.

Do not stop taking gemfibrozil unless directed by your doctor. It may take up to 3 months for you to see the effects of this medication.

Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other medical evaluations during treatment with gemfibrozil to monitor progress and side effects.

Store gemfibrozil at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose of gemfibrozil?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the dose you missed and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

Where can I get more information about gemfibrozil?
Your pharmacist has information about gemfibrozil written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of gemfibrozil?

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking gemfibrozil and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:

  • an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

  • chest pain, shortness of breath, or an irregular heartbeat;

  • nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or clay-colored stools;

  • yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice);

  • rash or itching;

  • sores in the mouth or on your lips;

  • swollen legs or feet;

  • chills, fever, or blood in the urine; or

  • muscle aches, pain, or cramping.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take gemfibrozil and talk to your doctor if you experience

  • indigestion;

  • headache, dizziness, or drowsiness; or

  • decreased sex drive.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What is the most important information I should know about gemfibrozil?

Follow any special diet and exercise plan recommended by your doctor while taking this medication. Diet and exercise are important factors in regulating cholesterol.

What should I avoid while taking gemfibrozil?

Follow any special diet and exercise plan recommended by your doctor while taking this medication. Diet and exercise are important factors in regulating cholesterol.

Use caution driving, operating machinery, and performing other hazardous activities until you know how gemfibrozil affects you. It may cause some drowsiness or dizziness, especially at the start of therapy.

What other drugs will affect gemfibrozil?

Gemfibrozil may increase the effects of the following drugs, which could lead to dangerous side effects:

  • an anticoagulants (blood thinner) such as warfarin (Coumadin);

  • insulin or an oral diabetes medication such as chlorpropamide (Diabenese), glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (Micronase, DiaBeta, Glynase), tolbutamide (Orinase), tolazamide (Tolinase), and acetohexamide (Dymelor), and others; or

  • another cholesterol-lowering drug such as atorvastatin (Lipitor), lovastatin (Mevacor, Altocor), simvastatin (Zocor), pravastatin (Pravachol), fluvastatin (Lescol, Lescol XL) .

You may not be able to take gemfibrozil, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the drugs listed above.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with gemfibrozil. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.

What happens if I have an overdose of gemfibrozil?

An overdose of this medication is unlikely to threaten life. Call an emergency room or poison control center for advice.

Symptoms of a gemfibrozil overdose may include diarrhea, headache, and muscle pain.

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Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 2/11/2008