Gemfibrozil (Lopid) Uses, Side Effects & Dosage (original) (raw)

• What is gemfibrozil?
• Why is gemfibrozil prescribed to patients?
• What are the side effects of gemfibrozil?
• What is the dosage for gemfibrozil?
• Which drugs or supplements interact with gemfibrozil?
• Is gemfibrozil safe to use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
• What else should I know about gemfibrozil?

What is gemfibrozil?

Gemfibrozil is a blood lipid and cholesterol-altering medicine.

Why is gemfibrozil prescribed to patients?

Gemfibrozil is used for reducing elevated triglyceride levelsthat are high enough to causepancreatitis. Because gemfibrozil raises HDL and decreases triglycerides it is prescribed for preventing coronaryheart disease in individuals without a history or symptoms of coronary heartdisease who have low HDL, high LDL and high triglycerides. Gemfibrozil is prescribed after other therapies have failed, and it is not intended for treating patients who only have low HDL. Gemfibrozil is used together withdiet andexercise.

Is gemfibrozil available as a generic drug?

Yes

Do I need a prescription for gemfibrozil?

Yes

What are the side effects of gemfibrozil?

Common side effects of gemfibrozil include:

• upset stomach,
• stomach pain,
• diarrhea,
• headache,
• tiredness,
• nausea, and
• vomiting.

Muscle aches and pain also occur. Rarely, these muscle-related symptoms are associated with damage to muscles that releases chemicals into the blood that that can damage the kidney. Muscle damage is of greatest concern when gemfibrozil is combined with statins. The formation ofgallstones and gallbladder surgery have been associated with the use of gemfibrozil. Pancreatitis, abnormal blood liver tests, as well as reduced red blood cells (anemia), white blood cells (leukopenia) and blood platelets (thrombocytopenia) also have been reported.

What is the dosage for gemfibrozil?

The recommended dose of gemfibrozil is 600 mg twice daily (30 minutes before breakfast and dinner).

SLIDESHOW How to Lower Your Cholesterol & Save Your Heart See Slideshow

Which drugs or supplements interact with gemfibrozil?

Gemfibrozil can cause problems when used together with the statin family of cholesterol-reducing medications, for example:

• lovastatin(Mevacor),
• pravastatin (Pravachol),
• simvastatin(Zocor),
• fluvastatin (Lescol),
• rosuvastatin(Crestor), and
• atorvastatin (Lipitor)

All these increase the risk of a condition calledrhabdomyolysis(muscle injury) that when severe can lead to kidney damage and even death. Rhabdomyolysis may occur as early as three weeks or several months after starting combination therapy. The benefit of combining gemfibrozil with statins does not outweigh the risk of rhabdomyolysis.

Gemfibrozil can increase the effect of the blood thinner,warfarin(Coumadin), and thus may lead to bleeding. Therefore, patients on warfarin may need to have their doses of warfarin reduced when starting gemfibrozil.

Gemfibrozil increases blood levels ofrepaglinide(Prandin) in people withdiabetes, increasing the likelihood of developing low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). This combination should be avoided.

Colestipol(Colestid) and cholestyramine (Questran) reduce the absorption of gemfibrozil and reduce its effectiveness if taken at the same time. Therefore, gemfibrozil should be administered one hour before or 4-6 hours after administering colestipol or cholestyramine.

Is gemfibrozil safe to use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?

The effect of gemfibrozil in pregnant women has not been well-studied. Gemfibrozil should be used duringpregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the unknown but potential risk to the fetus.

It is not known whether gemfibrozil is excreted in human milk.

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What else should I know about gemfibrozil?

What preparations of gemfibrozil are available?

Tablets: 600 mg

How should I keep gemfibrozil stored?

Tablets should be stored at room temperature between 20 C – 25 C (68 F – 77 F).

How does gemfibrozil work?

Gemfibrozil is classified as a fibric acid derivative similar to fenofibrate (Tricor). It reduces triglycerides and increases cholesterol carried in high density lipoprotein (HDL) in the blood. HDL cholesterol is sometimes called "good" cholesterol because higher concentrations of HDL cholesterol in the blood are associated with a reduced risk of heart disease. Gemfibrozil modestly reduces low density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad") cholesterol. The mechanism of action of gemfibrozil is not known. The decrease in triglycerides is thought to be due in part to reduced production of triglycerides by the liver.

When was gemfibrozil approved by the FDA?

Gemfibrozil was approved in September 1993.

Summary

Gemfibrozil (Lopid) is a medication to reduce blood lipids and modify cholesterol levels. Gemfibrozil (Lopid) is prescribed to patients with elevated triglyceride levels high enough to cause pancreatitis, and to raise HDL cholesterol to prevent heart disease. Side effects, drug interactions, warnings and precautions, and efficacy during pregnancy information should be reviewed prior to taking this medication.

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Related Disease Conditions

• Cholesterol Management: Lower, Treat, and Prevent High Cholesterol Cholesterol management may include lifestyle interventions (diet and exercise) as well as medications to get your total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides in an optimal range. High cholesterol and triglyceride levels increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular conditions. Managing and getting your HDL and LDL cholesterol as well as triglyceride levels within normal ranges will lower risk, improve overall health, and help protect your heart and blood vessels.
• How the Heart Works The heart is a very important organ in the body. It is responsible for continuously pumping oxygen and nutrient-rich blood throughout your body to sustain life. It is a fist-sized muscle that beats (expands and contracts) 100,000 times per day, pumping a total of five or six quarts of blood each minute, or about 2,000 gallons per day.
• Heart Attack A heart attack (myocardial infarction) occurs when the sudden blockage of a coronary artery, usually because of blood clot, causes damage and death to heart muscle. Symptoms of a heart attack may include chest discomfort often described as a pain, pressure or tightness associated with shortness of breath, sweating and nausea.
• Heart Disease (Coronary Artery Disease) Heart disease (coronary artery disease) occurs when plaque builds up in the coronary arteries, the vessels that supply blood to the heart. Heart disease can lead to heart attack. Treatment of heart disease involves control of heart disease risk factors through lifestyle changes, medications, and/or stenting or bypass surgery. Heart disease can be prevented by controlling heart disease risk factors.
• Fatty Liver Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease or NASH occurs due to the accumulation of abnormal amounts of fat within the liver. Fatty liver most likely caused by obesity and diabetes. Symptoms of fatty liver disease are primarily the complications of cirrhosis of the liver; and may include mental changes, liver cancer, the accumulation of fluid in the body (ascites, edema), and gastrointestinal bleeding. Treatment for fatty liver includes avoiding certain foods and alcohol. Exercise, weight loss, bariatric surgery, and liver transplantation are treatments for fatty liver disease.

Treatment & Diagnosis

Medications & Supplements

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References

Medically reviewed by John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP; Board Certified Emergency Medicine

REFERENCE:

FDA Prescribing Information