Gemfibrozil

Drug Status in USA : Approved
Drug Status in Canada : Approved

pronunciation

pronounced as (jem fi' broe zil)

Why is this medication prescribed?

Gemfibrozil is used with diet changes (restriction of cholesterol and fat intake) to reduce the amount of cholesterol and triglycerides (other fatty substances) in the blood in certain people with very high triglycerides who are at risk of pancreatic disease (conditions affecting the pancreas, a gland that produces fluid to break down food and hormones to control blood sugar). Gemfibrozil is also used in people with a combination of low high-density lipoprotein (HDL; 'good cholesterol') levels and high low-density lipoprotein (LDL; 'bad cholesterol') and triglyceride levels to reduce the risk of heart disease. Gemfibrozil is in a class of lipid-regulating medications called fibrates. It works by reducing the production of triglycerides in the liver.


How should this medicine be used?

Gemfibrozil comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken twice a day, 30 minutes before the morning and evening meals. Take gemfibrozil at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take gemfibrozil exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Gemfibrozil controls high triglycerides and low HDL but does not cure them. Continue to take gemfibrozil even if you feel well. Do not stop taking gemfibrozil without talking to your doctor.


What are the precautions to be followed?

Before taking gemfibrozil,
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to gemfibrozil or any other medications.
  • tell your doctor if you are taking dasabuvir (in Viekira Pak), simvastatin (Zocor, in Vytorin) or repaglinide (Prandin, in Prandimet). Your doctor will probably tell you not to take gemfibrozil while taking one or both of these medications.
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: atorvastatin (Lipitor, in Caduet), bosentan (Tracleer), colchicine (Colcrys, Mitigare, in Col-Probenecid), dabrafenib (Tafinlar), ezetimibe (Zetia, in Vytorin), fluvastatin (Lescol), glyburide (Diabeta, Glynase, in Glucovance), irinotecan (Camptosar, Onivyde), loperamide (Imodium), lovastatin (Altoprev), montelukast (Singulair), olmesartan (Benicar, in Azor, Tribenzor), paclitaxel (Abraxane, Taxol), pioglitazone (Actos, in Actoplus Met, Duetact, Oseni), pitavastatin (Livalo), pravastatin (Pravachol), rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, in Rifamate, Rifater), rosiglitazone (Avandia), rosuvastatin (Crestor), valsartan (Diovan, in Entresto, Exforge), and warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. Other medications may also interact with gemfibrozil, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list.
  • if you are taking colestipol (Colestid), take this medication 2 hours before or 2 hours after gemfibrozil.
  • tell your doctor if you have kidney, liver, or gallbladder disease. Your doctor may tell you not to take gemfibrozil.
  • tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking gemfibrozil, call your doctor.

What are possible side effects of this medication ?

Gemfibrozil may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
  • stomach pain
  • heartburn
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
  • muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness
  • blurred vision

A medication similar to gemfibrozil has caused cancer, gallbladder disease, and stomach pain leading to appendectomy. Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking this medication.

Gemfibrozil may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.


How to store the medication and dispose it of after its use later?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from light, excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.


Drug Category/Class

  • Hypolipidemic Agents
  • Fibrates
  • Lipid Modifying Agents, Plain
  • Lipid Modifying Agents
  • Cardiovascular System
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C8 Inhibitors
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A2 Inhibitors
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A2 Inducers
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C8 Inducers
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C9 Inhibitors
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C9 Inducers
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C19 Inducers
  • CYP3A4 Inhibitors
  • Fibrates
Prescribed For treatment of adult patients with very high elevations of serum triglyceride levels (types IV and V hyperlipidemia) who are at risk of developin...
Weight :250.3334
Structure Gemfibrozil
Generic Drug Gemfibrozil prescribed For treatment of adult patients with very high elevations of serum triglyceride levels (types IV and V hyperlipidemia) who are at risk of developin...
Formula

C15H22O3

Gemfibrozil has 10 Brands listed


Gemfibrozil (300 mg)Gempar (300 mg)
Lipizyl (300 mg)Lopid (300 mg)
Lopid (600 mg)Lopid OD (900 mg)
Losterol (300 mg)Normolip (300 mg)
Triglyd (300 mg)Triglyd (600 mg)

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