Gemfibrozil – Uses, Side Effects, Warnings, and More

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Uses

Along with a healthy change in diet, the medication gemfibrozil can be utilized to assist in the reduction of blood fats (triglycerides) and the elevation of “good” cholesterol (HDL). Additionally, it may assist in lowering levels of “bad” cholesterol (LDL). The medication class known as fibrates includes gemfibrozil as one of its constituents. It accomplishes this by lowering the amount of fat that is manufactured by the liver.

People whose blood already contains extremely high amounts of triglycerides may have a reduced risk of developing the pancreatic disease if their triglyceride levels are lowered (pancreatitis). On the other hand, gemfibrozil may not reduce the risk of you having a heart attack or stroke. Have a discussion with your healthcare provider about the potential drawbacks and advantages of gemfibrozil.

In addition to eating a healthy diet (such as one that is low in cholesterol and fat), other changes to one’s lifestyle that may help this medication work more effectively include engaging in physical activity, reducing the amount of alcohol one consumes, decreasing one’s body mass index (BMI), and quitting smoking.

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Instructions for Using Gemfibrozil

Take this drug exactly as prescribed by your medical professional, which is typically twice daily (30 minutes before your morning and evening meals).

Your current health status and how you respond to treatment will determine the appropriate dosage for you.

If you are also taking other prescriptions to lower your cholesterol, such as bile acid-binding resins like cholestyramine or colestipol, you should take gemfibrozil at least one hour before or at least 4-6 hours after taking these other medications. These products have the potential to react with gemfibrozil, preventing the drug from being fully absorbed.

It is important to maintain consistent use of this drug in order to derive the maximum advantage from it. Keep in mind that you need to take it at the same time every day. Continue taking this medication even if you don’t feel like you need it. The majority of individuals who have high levels of cholesterol or triglycerides do not report feeling ill.

It is of the utmost importance that you continue to adhere to the recommendations that your physician has given you regarding your diet and exercise routine. It is possible that it will be three months before you feel the full effects of this medication.

Side Effects

There is a possibility that you will experience stomach distress, stomach or abdominal pain, or a strange flavor. Notify your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if any of these side effects continue or become worse.

Keep in mind that the reason your doctor has recommended that you take this medication is that he or she believes that the potential benefits to you outweigh the potential risks of doing so. The majority of persons who take this medicine do not report experiencing any severe adverse effects.

This medicine has been known to induce gallstones and liver issues in extremely rare cases. Notify your physician as soon as possible if you have any of the following severe adverse effects: intense pain in the abdomen and stomach, nausea and vomiting that won’t go away, yellowing of the eyes and skin, and urine that is dark in color.

Muscle issues have been reported seldom in connection with this medication (which can rarely lead to a very serious condition called rhabdomyolysis). Notify your primary care provider as soon as possible if you experience any of the following symptoms: Muscle discomfort, soreness, and weakness are indicators of kidney disease, especially when accompanied by fever or extreme fatigue (such as a change in the amount of urine).

Notify your physician as soon as possible if you experience any serious adverse effects, such as indications of infection (such as fever, persistent sore throat), easy bruising or bleeding, unusual tiredness, irregular heartbeat, or tingling or numbness in your arms or legs.

It is quite unusual for this medicine to cause an extremely severe allergic reaction. However, you should seek immediate medical attention if you detect any symptoms of a significant allergic reaction, such as a rash, itching/swelling (particularly of the face/tongue/throat), extreme dizziness, or difficulty breathing. These symptoms may indicate anaphylaxis.

This list of potential adverse effects is not exhaustive in any way. Please consult your physician or pharmacist if you have any side effects that are not listed above.

In the United States, if you are experiencing any adverse effects, please consult your primary care physician. You can contact the FDA about any adverse effects by calling 1-800-FDA-1088 or visiting their website at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada, if you are experiencing any adverse effects, please consult your primary care physician. You can call Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345 to report any adverse effects you experience.

Precautions

Inform your doctor or pharmacist that you are allergic to gemfibrozil, as well as to any other “fibrates” (such as fenofibrate), or if you have any other allergies before beginning treatment with gemfibrozil. There is a possibility that this product contains inactive substances, which, if present, could result in allergic responses or other complications. Discuss the matter further with your pharmacist for further information.

Before beginning treatment with this drug, it is important to discuss your medical history with your doctor or pharmacist, particularly any history of liver illness (including biliary cholangitis and hepatitis), gallbladder disease, renal disease, or alcohol use.

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Before undergoing surgery, it is important to discuss all of the products you use with your dentist or doctor (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

Taking this drug while pregnant is not suggested by the manufacturer. Consult your doctor for additional details.

There is no evidence to suggest that this medicine makes its way into breast milk. While using this medication, it is not advised that a woman breastfeed her child because of the potential dangers to the child. Before starting to breastfeed, you should talk to your healthcare provider.

Interactions

Drug interactions can alter the way in which your prescriptions work or raise the likelihood that you will have major adverse effects. This document does not contain all possible medication interactions. Maintain a list of all the goods you use, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, as well as herbal remedies, and give it to both your primary care physician and your pharmacist. Without first consulting your physician, you should never alter the dosage of any medication, stop taking any medication, or start taking any new medication.

Asunaprevir, “blood thinners” (such as warfarin), colchicine, repaglinide, and medications in the “statin” class are examples of some items that have the potential to interact with this medication (such as atorvastatin, lovastatin, simvastatin).

This medicine has the potential to slow down the elimination of other medications from your body, which may have an effect on how effectively other treatments operate. Drugs such as elagolix, irinotecan, pioglitazone, and selexipag, as well as a particular combination product used to treat chronic hepatitis C (ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir/dasabuvir), are some examples of the types of medications that have been impacted by this issue.

Overdose

Dial 911 if you suspect that someone has overdosed and they are exhibiting serious symptoms such as passing out or having problems breathing. In any other case, you should immediately contact a poison control center. To reach the poison control center for your area in the United States, dial 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

Warnings

This drug should not be given to anyone else.

Tests in the laboratory and/or examinations by a physician (such as measurements of cholesterol and triglycerides, evaluations of kidney and liver function, and full blood counts) should be carried out on a regular basis in order to track your improvement and identify any potential adverse reactions. Consult your doctor for additional details.

Neglected Dose

If you forget to take a dose, you should take it as soon as you realize you forgot. If it is getting close to the time of the next dose, you should forgo the dose that you missed. Your next dose should be taken at the typical time. It is not necessary to double the dose in order to catch up.

Storage

Keep at room temperature and away from light and moisture. Store at room temperature. Keep away from the bathroom at all costs. Always make sure that children and animals are kept well away from any medications.

Unless you have been specifically told to do so, you should not flush drugs down the toilet or pour them down a drain. When it is no longer needed or has passed its expiration date, dispose of this product in the appropriate manner. Talk to your neighborhood pharmacy or the firm that handles garbage disposal in your area.