GENERIC NAME: gemfibrozil
BRAND NAME: Lopid
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Gemfibrozil is a lipid- and
cholesterol-modifying medicine. 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. The decrease in triglycerides
is thought
to be due in part to reduced release of triglycerides from fat
tissue in
the body. In one large study, gemfibrozil decreased the risk of
heart
attacks but did not affect the overall survival of persons with
high
cholesterols.
PRESCRIPTION: yes
GENERIC AVAILABLE: yes
PREPARATIONS: Tablets: 600mg
STORAGE: Tablets should be stored below 30°C
(86°F).
PRESCRIBED FOR: Gemfibrozil is used for selected
persons with
either low HDL cholesterol and/or high triglyceride
concentrations to
reduce the risk of heart attacks. It also is used in persons
with very
high triglyceride concentrations that may cause pancreatitis
(inflammation
of the pancreas).
DOSING: Gemfibrozil is prescribed twice daily, and it is
recommended that it be taken 30 minutes before meals.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Gemfibrozil, when used together with
some of
the "statin" family of cholesterol-reducing
medications
[lovastatin (Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol), simvastatin (Zocor),
fluvastatin (Lescol), or atorvastatin (Lipitor)] increases the
risk of a
condition called rhabdomyolysis in which muscles break down,
causing
muscle aches and possibly kidney damage from the chemical
products of the
breakdown of muscle. This interaction is best described with
lovastatin,
but the other statins also may interact in a similar way. The
reaction may
be seen as early as 3 weeks after starting the combined therapy
or as late
as several months.
Gemfibrozil can increase the effect of 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 may increase the likelihood of developing a low
blood sugar
in patients receiving glyburide (Glyburide; Diabeta) or other
medications
that reduce sugar levels in diabetic patients.
Colestipol (Colestid) and cholestyramine (Questran) reduce the
absorption of gemfibrozil and reduce its effectiveness if taken
at the
same time. Patients who are taking gemfibrozil and colestipol or
cholestyramine should take the medicines at least two hours
apart.
PREGNANCY: Gemfibrozil has not been shown to produce
developmental toxicity or teratogenicity among offspring in
rats or
rabbits but did produce a reduction in litter size (reduced
number of
offspring). Its effects in pregnant women has not been well-
studied.
Gemfibrozil should be used during pregnancy only if the
potential benefit
justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
NURSING MOTHERS: It is not known whether gemfibrozil is
excreted
in human milk. Since most drugs are excreted in human milk and
because
gemfibrozil has been shown to produce tumors in animal studies,
the
physician needs to decide whether to instruct the pregnant
woman to
discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug.
SIDE EFFECTS: The most common side effects of
gemfibrozil are
upset stomach (1 in 5 patients), diarrhea (1 in 14 patients),
tiredness (1
in 30 patients) and nausea or vomiting (1 in 40 patients).
Others may
experience dizziness, tiredness, tingling in the extremities,
headache,
decreased sexual drive, impotence, depression, or blurred
vision. Less
common are muscle aches, pains, weakness or tenderness. Rarely,
these
muscle-related symptoms are associated with damage to the
muscles which
releases chemicals into the blood that then damage the kidney.
Muscle
damage is of concern primarily when gemfibrozil is being taken
along with
one of the "statin" medications. (See Drug Interactions above)
Last Editorial Review: 12/31/1997
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
 |
 |
From the Doctors at MedicineNet.com  |
|
|
- Fibrates - Fibrates are effective medications in lowering blood triglyceride levels to prevent heart disease. Source:MedicineNet
- Cholesterol - Learn about cholesterol and how to lower LDL cholesterol. Read in-depth cholesterol information on a low cholesterol diet, normal ratio (levels), treatment for high cholesterol and more. Source:MedicineNet
- Your Cholesterol Profile - In Depth - Cholesterol informaiton in-depth, mechanisms and mechanics of cholesterol plaque. Source:MedicineNet
- Read 25 more gemfibrozil related articles ...
|
| |
|
Back to Medications Index
Specialty RSS
