GEMFIBROZIL (Systemic)
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.?
In Canada?
- Lopid
- Apo-Gemfibrozil
- Gen-Fibro
- Novo-Gemfibrozil
- Nu-Gemfibrozil
Generic name product may be available in the U.S. and Canada.
Category
Description
Gemfibrozil (gem-FI-broe-zil) is used to lower cholesteroland triglyceride (fat-like substances) levels in the blood. This may helpprevent medical problems caused by such substances clogging the blood vessels.
Gemfibrozil is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the followingdosage forms:
Oral- Capsules (Canada)
- Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
Before Using This Medicine
In addition to its helpfuleffects in treating your medical problem, this type of medicine may have someharmful effects.
Results of a large study using gemfibrozil seem to show that it may causea higher rate of some cancers in humans. In addition, the action of gemfibrozilis similar to that of another medicine called clofibrate. Studies with clofibratehave suggested that it may increase the patient's risk of cancer, liver disease,pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), gallstones and problems fromgallbladder surgery, although it may also decrease the risk of heart attacks.Other studies have not found all of these effects.
Studies with gemfibrozil in rats found an increased risk of liver tumorswhen doses up to 10 times the human dose were given for a long time.
Be sure you have discussed this with your doctor before taking this medicine.
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must beweighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctorwill make. For gemfibrozil, the following should be considered:
Allergies?Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual orallergic reaction to gemfibrozil. Also tell your health care professionalif you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives,or dyes.
Pregnancy?Gemfibrozil has not been studied inpregnant women. However, studies in animals have shown that high doses ofgemfibrozil may increase the number of fetal deaths, decrease birth weight,or cause some skeletal defects. Before taking this medicine, make sure yourdoctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.
Breast-feeding?It is not known whether gemfibrozil passes intobreast milk. However, studies in animals have shown that high doses of gemfibrozilmay increase the risk of some kinds of tumors. Therefore, you should considerthis when deciding whether to breast-feed your baby while taking this medicine.
Children?There is no specific information about the use ofgemfibrozil in children. However, use is not recommended in children under2 years of age since cholesterol is needed for normal development.
Older adults?Many medicines have not been studied specificallyin older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactlythe same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effectsor problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing useof gemfibrozil in the elderly with use in other age groups.
Other medicines?Although certain medicines should not be usedtogether at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used togethereven if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want tochange the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are takinggemfibrozil it is especially important that your health care professionalknow if you are taking any of the following:
- Anticoagulants (blood thinners)?Use with gemfibrozil may increasethe effect of the anticoagulant
- Lovastatin?Use with gemfibrozil may cause muscle or kidneyproblems or make them worse
Other medical problems?The presence of other medicalproblems may affect the use of gemfibrozil. Make sure you tell your doctorif you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Gallbladder disease or
- Gallstones?Gemfibrozil may make these conditions worse
- Kidney disease or
- Liver disease?Higher blood levels of gemfibrozil may result,which may increase the chance of side effects; a decrease in the dose of gemfibrozilmay be needed
Proper Use of This Medicine
Before prescribingmedicine for your condition, your doctor will probably try to control yourcondition by prescribing a personal diet for you. Such a diet may be low infats, sugars, and/or cholesterol. Many people are able to control their conditionby carefully following their doctor's orders for proper diet and exercise. Medicine is prescribed only when additional help is needed and is effective only when a schedule of diet and exercise is properlyfollowed.
Also, this medicine is less effective if you are greatly overweight. Itmay be very important for you to go on a reducing diet. However, check withyour doctor before going on any diet.
Make certain your health care professional knows if you are on a low-sodium,low-sugar, or any other special diet. Most medicines contain more than theiractive ingredient.
Use this medicine only as directed by your doctor.Do not use more or less of it, and do not use it more often or for a longertime than your doctor ordered.
This medicine is usually taken twice a day. If you are taking 2 doses aday, it is best to take the medicine 30 minutes before your breakfast andevening meal.
Follow carefully the special diet your doctor gaveyou. This is the most important part of controlling your conditionand is necessary if the medicine is to work properly.
Dosing?The dose of gemfibrozil will be different fordifferent patients. Follow your doctor's orders or thedirections on the label. The following information includes only theaverage doses of gemfibrozil. If your dose is different,do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so:
- For oral dosage forms (tablets):
- Adults: 600 milligrams two times a day to be taken thirty minutesbefore the morning and evening meals.
Missed dose?If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it assoon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip themissed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage?To store this medicine:
- Keep out of the reach of children.
- Store away from heat and direct light.
- Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in otherdamp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
- Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be surethat any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.
Precautions While Using This Medicine
It is very important that your doctor check your progress atregular visits. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicineis working properly to lower your cholesterol and triglyceride levels andto decide if you should continue to take it.
Do not stop taking this medication without first checkingwith your doctor. When you stop taking this medicine, your blood cholesterollevels may increase again. Your doctor may want you to follow a special dietto help prevent this from happening.
Side Effects of This Medicine
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 mayneed medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any ofthe following side effects occur:
Check with your doctor as soon as possibleif either of the following side effects occurs:
Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention.These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to themedicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effectscontinue or are bothersome:
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If younotice any other effects, check with your doctor.
Revised: 08/12/1998
