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Gemfibrozil
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Description
Gemfibrozil is used to reduce the level of bad cholesterol in the body. It is also used to lower the risk of complications of heart disease. Monitoring of cholesterol levels is necessary while receiving this medicine. Maintaining proper diet and adopting lifestyle changes will provide an additive effect.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Gemfibrozil
Bladder pain
Fever with chills
Acid or sour stomach
Change in taste
Diarrhea
Heartburn
Dizziness
Headache
Nausea and Vomiting
Skin rash
Uses of Gemfibrozil
What is it prescribed for?
Hypertriglyceridemia
Gemfibrozil is used to lower the elevated triglyceride level.
Hyperlipoproteinemia Type IIb
Gemfibrozil is used to lower the elevated bad cholesterol levels.
Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease
Gemfibrozil is used as a prophylaxis for the prevention of heart diseases in patients with multiple risk factors like smoking, age, and history of heart disease.
Concerns
Commonly asked questions
Onset of action
The peak levels of this medicine can be observed in 1 to 2 hours.Duration of effect
The effect of this medicine lasts for an average duration of 4 to 6 hours.Safe with alcohol?
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.Is it habit forming?
No habit forming tendency has been reported.Usage in pregnancy?
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.Usage while breast-feeding?
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women.
Allergy
Not recommended in patients with known allergy to Gemfibrozil.
Liver damage
Not recommended in patients with diseases like gall bladder obstruction, primary biliary cirrhosis.
Kidney damage
Not recommended in patients with severe kidney disease.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women.
General warnings
Muscle injury
Gemfibrozil is known to cause myopathy and elevates creatine phosphokinase levels. Any symptoms of muscle pain, tenderness, and weakness should be reported to the doctor. The treatment should be stopped if the symptoms worsen.
Low blood cell count
Gemfibrozil is known to lower the blood cell count, especially white blood cells and red blood cells. This medicine should be used with caution in patients with existing blood disorders. Close monitoring of blood cell count is necessary during first 12 months of the treatment.
Missed Dose
The missed dose can be taken as soon as you remember. However, if it is time for the next dosage, then the missed dose can be skipped.
Overdose
It is recommended to discontinue the medication and contact your doctor immediately if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Simvastatin
Repaglinide
Rosiglitazone
Disease interactions
Liver Disease
Gemfibrozil is not recommended in patients with liver diseases like Primary Biliary Cirrhosis and Gallbladder disease. Inform the doctor if you have any history of liver disease before receiving this medicine. An alternate treatment option should be considered based on the clinical condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Gemfibrozil as instructed by the doctor. Do not consume larger quantities than prescribed. Patients with liver disease are not advised to take this medicine. Symptoms of muscle pain, tenderness should be informed to the doctor. It decreases the level of white blood cells and red blood cells. Therefore, monitoring of blood cell count is necessary.
Miscelleneous
How it works
It works by lowering the levels of bad cholesterol and increasing the levels of good cholesterol.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Fibric acid derivatives
Schedule
Schedule H
Gemfibrozil - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2017 [cited 15 June 2017]. Available from:
[Internet]. 2017 [cited 15 June 2017]. Available from:
DailyMed - Gemfibrozil tablet [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 15 June 2017]. Available from:
Prescribing medicines in pregnancy database [Internet]. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). 2017 [cited 15 June 2017]. Available from:
[Internet]. Toxnet.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 15 June 2017]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 5 Jan 2018
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.