What is gemfibrozil used for?

Gemfibrozil is a prescription medicine that is used to lower bad cholesterol and raise good cholesterol (HDL). It is used to lower triglycerides.

Description

Gemfibrozil is a lipid regulating agent. The chemical name is 5-(2,5-dimethylphenoxy)-2,2-dimethylpentanoic acid, with the following structural formula:

Gemfibrozil is a white solid which is stable under ordinary conditions. The solubility in water and acid is 0.0019% and in dilute base it is greater than 1%. The melting point is 58°-61°C.

Each tablet for oral administration contains 600 mg of gemfibrozil. In addition, each tablet also contains the following inactive ingredients: calcium stearate, colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, FD&C red #40 aluminum lake, FD&C yellow #6 aluminum lake, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, polysorbate 80, pregelatinized starch, and titanium dioxide.

Before taking gemfibrozil, tell your doctor:

• If you are allergic to gemfibrozil; any part of this medicine; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you are taking any of these drugs: Dasabuvir, repaglinide, selexipag, or a statin such as simvastatin.
• If you have any of these health problems: Gallbladder disease, kidney disease, liver disease, or primary biliary cirrhosis.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with gemfibrozil.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take gemfibrozil with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take gemfibrozil?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take gemfibrozil. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
• Talk with your doctor before you drink alcohol.
• Do not take colestipol or cholestyramine within 2 hours of gemfibrozil.
• Follow the diet and workout plan that your doctor told you about.
• Muscle aches or weakness has happened with gemfibrozil. Rarely, a very bad muscle problem with or without very bad kidney problems has also happened with gemfibrozil. Talk with the doctor.
• If you are 65 or older, use gemfibrozil with care. You could have more side effects.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to you and the baby.

How is gemfibrozil best taken?

Use gemfibrozil as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• Take 30 minutes before breakfast and dinner.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

What are the side effects of gemfibrozil that I need to call my doctor about immediately?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of gallstones like sudden pain in the upper right belly area, right shoulder area, or between the shoulder blades; yellow skin or eyes; or fever with chills.
• Muscle pain or weakness.
• Not able to pass urine or change in how much urine is passed.
• Feeling very tired or weak.
• Low white blood cell counts have happened with gemfibrozil. This may lead to a higher chance of getting an infection. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of infection like fever, chills, or sore throat.

What are some other side effects of gemfibrozil?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Stomach pain or heartburn.
• Diarrhea.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If overdose is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out gemfibrozil?

• Store at room temperature protected from light. Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

Label

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