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Drug Class: Commonly Known As: Category:
Gemfibrozil Gemfibrozil Adult

Gemfibrozil - What is it for

Gemfibrozil belongs to the class of medications called fibrates. Fibrates work speeding the natural processes that remove cholesterol from the body. They lower the amount of 'bad cholesterol' (low density lipoprotein or LDL-cholesterol) and 'fat' (triglyceride) as well as increase the amount of 'good cholesterol' (high density lipoprotein or HDL-cholesterol) in the blood.

High 'bad cholesterol' levels can cause your blood vessels to clog up and lead to chest pain (angina), heart attack or stroke. Hence, this medication may reduce your risk for heart attack and stroke.

Gemfibrozil - Side Effects, Precautions, and Contraindications

What side effects can Gemfibrozil cause?

  • ​Nausea
  • Heartburn, stomach pain
  • Constipation, diarrhoea
  • Joint pain, muscle pain, back pain
  • Skin rashes
  • Headache

Inform your healthcare professional of these side-effects do not go away and interfere with your daily life.

Rare but serious side effects that need to seek medical advice immediately

Very rarely, fibrates may cause muscle or liver problems. These symptoms may include one or more of the following:

  • Breakdown of muscles - unexplained, severe muscle pain that does not go away, muscle weakness/ cramps all over your body or dark tea-coloured urine.
  • Liver injury - Dark coloured urine, light coloured stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, yellowing of skin or eyes.

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:

  • Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
  • Difficulty in breathing
  • Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

If your experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.

Before taking Gemfibrozil , what precautions must I follow?

Inform your healthcare processional if:

  • You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication.
  • You are allergic to any other fibrates, or to any other medications.
  • You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
  • You have kidney, liver or gallbladder problems.
  • You have an underactive thyroid gland.
  • You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies

What food or medicine must I avoid when I take Gemfibrozil ?

​​Some medications may interact with fibrates and affect their effectiveness or increase the risk of side-effects. However, these medications may also be important for your treatment. Inform your healthcare professional of the other medications you are currently taking. Examples include:

  • Medications for cholesterol-lowering (e.g. cholestyramine, colestipol, statins, ezetimibe)
  • Medications used to suppress immune system (e.g. cyclosporine, tacrolimus)
  • Warfarin, a type of blood-thinner
  • Specific medications used to treat diabetes (e.g. repaglinide, pioglitazone)
  • Medications for viral infection (e.g. VoseviTM containing voxilaprevir, zepatierTM containing grazoprevir, Viekira PakTM containing dasabuvir)
  • Specific medications used to treat cancer (e.g. dabrafenib, enzalutamide)
  • Selexipag, a medication used for pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs)

Gemfibrozil - Dosage and How to Use

How should Gemfibrozil be used?

  • Do not stop taking your medication without checking with your healthcare professional. If you stop taking your medication, your cholesterol level may rise again.
  • This medicine should be taken before food, on an empty stomach.
  • If you are taking cholestyramine or colestipol, take it 4 to 6 hours before or 1 hours after gemfibrozil.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

​​​If your forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Then take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose.

What should I do if I overdose?

​​​If your take more than the recommended dose, please seek medical advice immediately. The information provided on this page does not replace information from your healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare processional for more information.

Gemfibrozil - Handling

How should I handle Gemfibrozil safely?

Gemfibrozil - Storage

How should I store Gemfibrozil ?

;#Keep away from children;#Keep in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight;#

​​throw away all expired medications.

How should I dispose of Gemfibrozil safely?

​​​Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin.

Gemfibrozil - Additional Information

  • Updated on 11/4/2020 12:00:00 AM
  • Article contributed by PSS National Medication Information Workgroup PSS National Medication Information Workgroup
The information provided is not intended as medical advice. Terms of use. Information provided by SingHealth

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