Gemfibrozil Dosages: Your GoodRx Guide

Many of our favorite foods are known to raise cholesterol and triglycerides (fats) in our bloodstream. This isn’t a secret. Eating a substantial amount of processed meats, fried foods, butter, and more can make it difficult to reach our health goals.

Following a heart-healthy diet and varied exercise routine is the best way to fight back against these unwanted changes on a lipid panel. But many medications can make a difference, too. Statins are go-to options for many people, though they’re not always safe or sufficient for everyone.

Gemfibrozil (Lopid) is one statin alternative to consider in cases like these — especially if your triglycerides are too high. Gemfibrozil is most effective at lowering triglycerides, but it can also lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, raise HDL (“good”) cholesterol, and lower the risk of coronary heart disease in certain people. 

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These benefits hinge on taking the right amount of gemfibrozil every day. Here, we’ll discuss recommended gemfibrozil dosages for adults.

What’s the typical gemfibrozil dosage for adults?

Gemfibrozil is a prescription medication that comes as a 600 mg oral tablet. The recommended gemfibrozil dosage for most people is 1 tablet taken twice daily (1,200 mg total for the day). It’s best to take your doses about 30 minutes before breakfast and dinner. This timing helps the medication work at its best.

Gemfibrozil is a maintenance medication. So you’ll likely take it for the foreseeable future. But, if your triglycerides don’t begin to decrease within 3 months of starting it, you’ll likely switch to a different medication.

Good to know: Gemfibrozil is only FDA approved for use in adults. It hasn’t been studied in kids and adolescents. People under 18 should generally avoid gemfibrozil.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Understanding the numbers: If you’ve been told you have high triglycerides, it’s normal to have questions about what’s at stake. Learn all the facts and figures here.

• Assessing your options: Statins are first-choice cholesterol medications, but they aren’t safe and effective for everyone. Here’s our detailed list of statin alternatives.

• Why do I feel so sore? Read on to figure out the ins-and-outs of managing muscle pain from fibrates such as gemfibrozil.

Are there any dosage adjustments for health conditions?

Yes, certain health conditions can make gemfibrozil relatively risky. You may be asked to avoid gemfibrozil or take a lower dose of it. Some drug interactions can lead to gemfibrozil dosage changes, too.

Dosage for people with kidney problems

Experts generally don’t recommend taking fibrates such as gemfibrozil if you have chronic kidney disease. Other treatments may be safer. However, in certain cases, your prescriber may want you to take gemfibrozil anyway.

You should be able to take the standard dose of gemfibrozil if you have mild-to-moderate kidney problems. There aren’t any dose reductions that are widely recommended. Your prescriber may just want to keep a close eye on your lab results and how well you’re tolerating the medication. 

The more pressing issue is with severe kidney impairment. It’s best to avoid taking gemfibrozil in this case. The medication’s labeling recommends this to avoid worsening kidney problems.

Dosage for people with liver problems

If you have liver (or gallbladder) problems, it’s best to avoid gemfibrozil. This is true even if these issues are considered mild. 

Why is this the case? Gemfibrozil and another similar medication were linked with liver- and gallbladder-related problems in clinical trials. These risks may be higher in people who have pre-existing liver or gallbladder disease. 

Drug interactions

Gemfibrozil has several drug interactions. Some can lead to added side effects, while others contribute to a less effective treatment. This is often due to how the body uses certain enzymes to metabolize, or break down, gemfibrozil.

You should avoid taking gemfibrozil if you’re taking any of these medications:

• Simvastatin (Zocor, FloLipid)

• Pravastatin

• Lovastatin (Altoprev)

• Repaglinide

• Selexipag (Uptravi)

You’ll likely need a gemfibrozil dose adjustment if you’re taking any of these medications:

• Any other statin

• Colchicine (Colcrys, Gloperba, Lodoco)

• Bile acid sequestrants such as colestipol (Colestid)

A gemfibrozil prescription can also warrant dose adjustments for other medications you may be taking, such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven). Make sure your prescriber and pharmacist each have access to a full list of prescription medications, over-the-counter products, and supplements that you take. This will help them monitor for interactions.

What happens if you miss a dose of gemfibrozil?

If you forget to take a dose of gemfibrozil, take it as soon as you remember — especially if it's still before your typical meal time. However, skip the missed dose if it’s close to your next scheduled dose. Don’t double up on doses, either. If you’re not sure what to do, contact your prescriber for guidance.

If you find yourself missing gemfibrozil doses frequently, it’ll be harder for the medication to do its job. Reach out to your pharmacist for tips on taking gemfibrozil more routinely. Medication reminder apps, sticky note reminders, and pill organizers are all possible ways to jog your memory.

What should you do if you take too much gemfibrozil?

If you think you took too much gemfibrozil, the safest course of action is to contact your prescriber. They can walk you through the situation at hand. If you can’t get hold of your prescriber, you can also contact Poison Control online or at 1-800-222-1222. A gemfibrozil “antidote” isn’t available, so they can walk you through how to manage your symptoms, if any. 

Some situations are more urgent. Reach out to your prescriber without delay if you notice symptoms such as:

• Severe stomach cramps

• Persistent nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

• Unexplained muscle or joint pain

How to save on gemfibrozil

There are ways to save on gemfibrozil, which is available as both a brand-name and generic medication. GoodRx can help you save over 80% off the average retail price of the generic version. A 30-day supply of generic gemfibrozil at certain pharmacies costs as low as $9.00 with a free GoodRx discount. An equivalent amount of name-brand Lopid costs as low as $84.63.

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Written by:

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS, is a licensed pharmacist in Arizona, Colorado, and Rhode Island. He has worked in the pharmacy industry for more than 10 years and currently serves as a pharmacy editor for GoodRx.

Reviewed by:

Ferras Bashqoy, PharmD, BCCCP, BCPPS

Ferras Bashqoy, PharmD, BCCCP, BCPPS, is a clinical pharmacotherapy specialist in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital in New York City. His favorite part of the job is working with preterm newborns because they are strong and mighty despite their size.

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