gemfibrozil
Gemfibrozil (Lopid) is used as an add-on medication to diet to lower triglycerides (fats) and "bad" cholesterol (LDL). At the same time, this medication can help raise "good" cholesterol (HDL). The usual dosage is one tablet taken by mouth twice a day before meals. Common side effects of gemfibrozil (Lopid) include indigestion, stomach pain, and diarrhea. It has many interactions with other medications, including cholesterol-lowering medications called statins.
What is Gemfibrozil (Lopid)?
What is Gemfibrozil (Lopid) used for?
As an add-on to diet for
- Treatment of high triglycerides
- Lower the risk of heart disease in people with low HDL, high LDL, and high triglycerides who've tried other options (e.g., exercise, other medications)
How Gemfibrozil (Lopid) works
Gemfibrozil (Lopid) is a fibrate. It works by helping to break down fats in your body. It also lowers the production of certain fats in your liver. This leads to the lowering of triglycerides (fats) and "bad" cholesterol (LDL) while raising "good" cholesterol (HDL) in the body.
Drug facts
Side effects of Gemfibrozil (Lopid)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Indigestion (20%)
- Stomach pain (10%)
- Diarrhea (7%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Nausea or vomiting
- Constipation
- Feeling tired
- Headache
- Spinning sensation
- Skin reaction, including rash
More on Gemfibrozil (Lopid) side effects
The following Gemfibrozil (Lopid) side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Bladder pain
bloody or cloudy urine
cough or hoarseness
difficult, burning, or painful urination
fever or chills
frequent urge to urinate
lower back or side pain
Incidence not known
Black, tarry stools
dark-colored urine
indigestion
large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
muscle cramps or spasms
muscle pain or stiffness
muscular pain, tenderness, wasting, or weakness
pale skin
severe nausea or vomiting
shortness of breath
sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
stomach pain
swollen glands
troubled breathing with exertion
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Acid or sour stomach
bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste
belching
burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
change in taste
stomach discomfort or upset
Less common
Difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
dizziness or lightheadedness
feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
headache
sensation of spinning
skin rash, encrusted, scaly and oozing
vomiting
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Pros and cons of Gemfibrozil (Lopid)
Pros
- Helps lower the risk of pancreas inflammation due to very high triglyceride levels
- An alternative cholesterol medication for people who can't tolerate statins
- Can lower the risk of serious heart events (e.g., heart attack) by 34% in certain middle-aged men
- Available as a lower-cost generic
Cons
- Not a first-choice option for lowering cholesterol
- Can interact with statin medications, which many people take for high cholesterol
- Should take 30 minutes before meals, which requires some planning
- Not a good option for people who have liver, kidney, or gallbladder problems
Pharmacist tips for Gemfibrozil (Lopid)
- Take gemfibrozil (Lopid) 30 minutes before breakfast and dinner every day. This will help the medication get absorbed into your body and work the best for you.
- To get the most benefit from your gemfibrozil (Lopid) treatment, follow a diet that's low in fats, and eat more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Try to exercise 3 to 4 times a week, for a total of 150 minutes of exercise per week. Ask your provider if you need help figuring out your diet or exercise plan.
- Make sure to keep up with all of your labs and follow-up appointments so you and your provider can track how well gemfibrozil (Lopid) is working for you. If your cholesterol and triglyceride levels don't improve in the first 3 months, gemfibrozil (Lopid) might not be the best medication for you. Your provider can discuss other treatment options with you.
- If you're taking gemfibrozil (Lopid), let your provider know if you're starting another medication so they can check for possible interactions.
- It's not known if gemfibrozil (Lopid) is safe to take while you're pregnant or breastfeeding. Let your provider know if this applies to you.
Common questions about Gemfibrozil (Lopid)
No. Gemfibrozil (Lopid) is a fibrate, which is a class of medications that help with cholesterol problems, especially high triglycerides. Statins also help with cholesterol problems, but they work differently than gemfibrozil (Lopid).
Your body absorbs the most amount of gemfibrozil (Lopid) if you take it 30 minutes before a meal. If you take gemfibrozil (Lopid) after eating food, less medication gets absorbed into your body, which might affect how well it works for you.
Problems getting or keeping an erection have been reported by men who've taken gemfibrozil (Lopid). While it seems to be rare, let your provider know if you notice any changes in your ability to get or maintain an erection during treatment.
Weight gain isn't a known side effect of gemfibrozil (Lopid). Some people have reported weight loss while taking gemfibrozil (Lopid), though it's not known if this is an effect of the medication. Remember that it's best to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle in order to lose weight and to get the most benefit from taking gemfibrozil (Lopid).
Yes. Taking gemfibrozil (Lopid) together with a statin raises your risk of muscle pain or muscle weakness and a condition called rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown). If severe enough, these muscle problems can lead to kidney damage. Because of this risk, it's not recommended to take gemfibrozil (Lopid) with simvastatin (Zocor), and you should avoid taking it with other statins too. If your provider recommends a statin for you while you're taking gemfibrozil (Lopid), they'll probably lower your statin dose to prevent these problems.
It's best not to drink alcohol if you're taking gemfibrozil (Lopid). Drinking alcohol can raise your triglyceride and "bad" cholesterol (LDL) levels. It's important to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle to get the most benefit from gemfibrozil (Lopid). This includes limiting the amount of alcohol you drink, or better yet, avoiding alcohol altogether.
Both gemfibrozil (Lopid) and fenofibrate (Tricor, Trilipix) are used in addition to diet to lower fat in the blood. However, fenofibrate is preferred over gemfibrozil (Lopid) if you're already taking a statin medication and need additional treatment. This is because there's a lower risk of muscle problems when statins are taken with fenofibrate than with gemfibrozil (Lopid). Fenofibrate (Tricor, Trilipix) is available as tablets and capsules, and it's only taken once a day. This is compared to gemfibrozil (Lopid), which is only available as a tablet and taken twice a day. There are some other similarities and differences between the two medications that you can learn more about.
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Risks and warnings for Gemfibrozil (Lopid)
Gemfibrozil (Lopid) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Gallstones
Gemfibrozil (Lopid) can cause gallstones. Let your provider know right away if you experience stomach, back, or shoulder pain, nausea, vomiting, or yellowing of your eyes or skin. You shouldn't use gemfibrozil (Lopid) if you've had gallbladder problems before.
Interactions with other medications
Gemfibrozil (Lopid) can interact with other medications. These interactions can be dangerous. If you're taking the blood thinner medication warfarin (Coumadin), let your provider or pharmacist know that you're also taking gemfibrozil (Lopid). Make sure to get your blood checks regularly. This is because gemfibrozil (Lopid) might raise the risk of bleeding in people taking warfarin (Coumadin).
Don't take gemfibrozil (Lopid) together with simvastatin (Zocor) since this combination can cause serious muscle damage and kidney failure. Your provider will switch you to a different statin if needed.
Always check with your provider or pharmacist before starting a new medication, vitamin, or supplement while you're taking gemfibrozil (Lopid).
Muscle damage
- Risk factors: Taking statin medications
Gemfibrozil (Lopid) might cause muscle damage. If severe enough, this can lead to kidney damage or even kidney failure. The risk is higher if you're also taking a statin medication. Talk to your provider if you develop sudden muscle pain, weakness, or dark-colored urine during treatment.
Gemfibrozil (Lopid) dosage
Tablet| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 600mg | 180 tablets | $24.00 | $0.13 |
Typical dosage for Gemfibrozil (Lopid)
The typical dose is 600 mg by mouth twice daily, 30 minutes before breakfast and dinner.
More on Gemfibrozil (Lopid) dosage
Interactions between Gemfibrozil (Lopid) and other drugs
More on Gemfibrozil (Lopid) interactions
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Ciprofibrate
- Dasabuvir
- Elagolix
- Repaglinide
- Selexipag
- Simvastatin
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Amiodarone
- Apalutamide
- Atorvastatin
- Baricitinib
- Bexarotene
- Colchicine
- Dabrafenib
- Eluxadoline
- Enzalutamide
- Ezetimibe
- Fluvastatin
- Imatinib
- Lovastatin
- Ozanimod
- Pitavastatin
- Pravastatin
- Revefenacin
- Rosuvastatin
- Tucatinib
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Dicumarol
- Glipizide
- Glyburide
- Loperamide
- Lopinavir
- Montelukast
- Rosiglitazone
- Warfarin
How much does Gemfibrozil (Lopid) cost?
Gemfibrozil (Lopid) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Gemfibrozil (Lopid) will not be safe for you to take.
- Liver or severe kidney problems
- Gallbladder problems
- Also taking repaglinide, simvastatin (Zocor), dasabuvir, or Uptravi (selexipag)
What are alternatives to Gemfibrozil (Lopid)?
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