Gemfibrozil
About
Gemfibrozil belongs to a group of medications called 'fibric acid derivatives' or 'fibrates' primarily used to treat raised or increased levels of cholesterol or fat/oils. Hyperlipidaemia or hypertriglyceridemia is a condition in which there is a high level of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) or bad cholesterol and a decreased level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or good cholesterol. Increased bad cholesterol level leads to a high risk of heart attack and stroke in the future, especially for heart disease patients.
Gemfibrozil contains 'Gemfibrozil' which works by increasing the natural substance that breaks down fats in the bloodstream, thereby increasing its utilization and removal. As a result, Gemfibrozil decreases harmful cholesterol like LDL (bad cholesterol), triglycerides (TG), and increases levels of HDL (good cholesterol).
Take Gemfibrozil as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take Gemfibrozil for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you, depending on your medical conditions. You may experience vomiting, abdominal pain, nausea, flatulence, and diarrhoea. Most of these side effects of Gemfibrozil do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
It is important to have your cholesterol and triglyceride levels (lipid profile) checked regularly. Before starting Gemfibrozil, please inform your doctor if you have any allergy, severe kidney disease, severe liver disease, or gallbladder disease. Inform your doctor if you have ever had gallstones, cataracts (clouding in the eye lens that causes decreased vision) and heart disease. Inform your doctor if you have taken other cholesterol medicines with this Gemfibrozil. Immediately contact your doctor if you are pregnant and breastfeeding.
Uses of Gemfibrozil
Medicinal Benefits
Gemfibrozil belongs to a group of medication called 'fibric acid derivatives' or 'fibrates' primarily used to treat raised or increased levels of cholesterol or fat/oils. Gemfibrozil works by increasing the natural substance that breaks down fats in the bloodstream, thereby increasing its utilization and removal. As a result, Gemfibrozil decreases harmful cholesterol like LDL (bad cholesterol), triglycerides (TG), and increases levels of HDL (good cholesterol).
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Gemfibrozil
- Vomiting
- Increased liver enzymes
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Flatulence
- Diarrhoea.
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Before taking Gemfibrozil, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any fibrate products. Inform your doctor if you ever had rhabdomyolysis (high risk of muscle breakdown), thyroid disease, history of muscle pain and weakness. If you are above 70 years, then contact your doctor before taking this Gemfibrozil. Before starting Gemfibrozil, please inform your doctor if you have any allergy, severe kidney disease, severe liver disease, and gallbladder disease before starting $ name. Inform your doctor if you have ever had gallstones, cataracts (clouding in the eye's lens that causes decreased vision), diabetes, and heart disease. Inform your doctor if you have taken other cholesterol medicines with this Gemfibrozil. Immediately contact your doctor if you are pregnant and breastfeeding. The use of alcohol with Gemfibrozil increases liver damage, so its use should be avoided.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Gemfibrozil interacts with blood sugar lowering pills (rosiglitazone, pioglitazone, repaglinide), a drug used to treat hepatitis C infection (dasabuvir), other medicines used to lower cholesterol levels (atorvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin), medicines for cancer (dabrafenib), medicines for diarrhoea (loperamide), medicines for asthma (montelukast), blood thinner (warfarin, acenocoumarol, and phenprocoumon), antigout (colchicine).
Drug-Food Interaction: Avoid food containing excess fat. Avoid grapefruit juice while taking Gemfibrozil.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Gemfibrozil should not be given in the condition of liver diseases like biliary cirrhosis (fatty liver disease), Rhabdomyolysis (the breakdown of muscles) and gall stones (cholelithiasis).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAlcohol may interact with Gemfibrozil. Therefore, avoid the use of alcohol while taking this Gemfibrozil.
Pregnancy
unsafeIt is not known whether Gemfibrozil will harm an unborn baby. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this Gemfibrozil.
Breast Feeding
unsafeIt is unknown whether Gemfibrozil passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. It would be best if you did not breast-feed while taking Gemfibrozil.
Driving
cautionAlthough unlikely, you may feel dizzy or experience visual disturbances whilst taking this Gemfibrozil.
Liver
cautionGemfibrozil to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of liver disease. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
cautionGemfibrozil to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of kidney disease or is currently on the dialysis stage. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Children
unsafeGemfibrozil is not recommended for children.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Gemfibrozil is generally given in addition to regular exercise and a low-fat diet to lower fat levels in the blood.
- A low cholesterol diet and a regular exercise regime are found to complement treatment with Gemfibrozil effectively.
- As a precautionary measure, you are recommended not to consume alcohol, junk food items from outside, stick to freshly prepared home-cooked meals and take proper rest, for a speedy recovery.
- Try to replace most of your saturated fats with unsaturated fats can reduce total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol in a short span of time.
- Foods like avocados, olive oil, fatty fish, and nuts contain many heart-healthy unsaturated fats, so it is beneficial to eat them regularly.
- Regular exercise can make your heart strong and decrease your risk of a heart attack.
Special Advise
- You should have your lipid profile test including total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), LDL, HDL, VLDL every 6 months to ensure whether Gemfibrozil is working or not.
- Your doctor may check your liver function before starting treatment and regularly thereafter.
- Gemfibrozil may cause you to develop gallstones. If you develop gallstones, you should consult your doctor.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Hyperlipidemia occurs when there are too many lipids (or fats), like cholesterol and triglycerides (TG). Hypercholesterolemia is a type of Hyperlipidemia in which there is excessive low-density lipoprotein - LDL (bad cholesterol) and low level of high-density lipoprotein - HDL (good cholesterol) in your blood. This condition increases the deposition of fats on the lining of heart arteries, increasing the risk of heart blockage and other blood clot problems.
FAQs
Yes, you may use Gemfibrozil with niacin if recommended by your doctor because Gemfibrozil along with niacin can be used in patients with very high fat.
Follow the diet suggested by your doctor. Gemfibrozil will not help lower your cholesterol if you do not follow a cholesterol-lowering diet plan. Avoid drinking alcohol. It may disturb your treatment.
Usually, it is not safe to take Gemfibrozil with fusidic acid as it may lead to muscle weakness, tenderness or pain. Please consult your doctor before taking Gemfibrozil along with fusidic acid.
You should not take Gemfibrozil if you have gallbladder disease, severe liver or kidney disease. If you are also taking repaglinide or simvastatin, then you should not take Gemfibrozil.
Gemfibrozil is used with caution in patients taking warfarin, adjustments in warfarin may be required, consult your doctor before taking Gemfibrozil along with warfarin.
