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Gemfibrozil helps reduce cholesterol and triglycerides (fatty acids) in the blood. High levels of these types of fat in the blood are associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis (clogged arteries).
Gemfibrozil is used together with diet to treat very high cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
It is used to decrease a person’s risk of pancreatitis when triglyceride levels are very high. It is also used to decrease the risk of heart disease in certain patients with high cholesterol.
You should not take gemfibrozil if you have severe liver or kidney disease, gallbladder disease, or if you are also taking repaglinide or simvastatin (Zocor, Vytorin, Juvisync, Simcor), dasabuvir, or selexipag (Uptravil).
You should not use gemfibrozil if you are allergic to it, if you have:
severe liver disease;
severe kidney disease;
gallbladder disease; or
if you are also taking repaglinide or simvastatin (Zocor, Vytorin, Juvisync, Simcor), dasabuvir, or selexipag (Uptravil).
To make sure gemfibrozil is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
gallstones;
cataracts;
heart disease;
if you also take warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven); or
if you take other cholesterol medications.
It is not known whether gemfibrozil will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.
It is not known whether gemfibrozil passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while taking gemfibrozil.
Gemfibrozil is usually taken twice daily, 30 minutes before breakfast and dinner.
Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Gemfibrozil is only part of a treatment program that may also include diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your doctor's instructions very closely.
While using gemfibrozil, you may need frequent blood tests to check your liver function, kidney function, and to test for anemia.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
Usual Adult Dose for Hyperlipidemia:
600 mg orally twice a day, 30 minutes before the morning and evening meal.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. Symptoms of an overdose may include stomach pain, diarrhea, joint and muscle pain, nausea, and vomiting
Follow the diet recommended by your doctor. Gemfibrozil will not be as effective in lowering your cholesterol if you do not follow a cholesterol-lowering diet plan.
Avoid drinking alcohol. It may interfere with your treatment.
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to gemfibrozil: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
In rare cases, gemfibrozil can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, and dark colored urine.
Also call your doctor at once if you have:
sharp pain in your upper stomach (especially after eating);
severe pain in your lower stomach (especially on the right side);
fast heartbeat or skipping heartbeats;
jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes);
blurred vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights;
little or no urinating; or
pale skin, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, feeling light-headed or short of breath, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating, purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin.
Common gemfibrozil side effects may include:
stomach pain, indigestion, diarrhea;
numbness or tingly feeling;
dizziness, drowsiness;
blurred vision;
muscle or joint pain;
rash, itching; or
loss of interest in sex, impotence.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use. Certain other drugs can increase your risk of serious muscle problems, and it is very important that your doctor knows if you are using any of them. Let your doctor know about all medications you take, especially the following:
colchicine;
a "statin" cholesterol-lowering medicine--atorvastatin (Lipitor, Caduet), fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (Mevacor, Altoprev, Advicor), pitavastatin (Livalo), (pravastatin (Pravachol), rosuvastatin (Crestor), or simvastatin (Zocor, Simcor, Vytorin).
a “bile acid-binding resin: cholesterol medicine such as colestipol;
hepatitis C medication such as dasabuvir;
medicine for pulmonary arterial hypertension such as selexipag (Uptravi) or bosentan (Tracleer);
enzalutamide (Xtandi);
diabetes medication (glyburide);
rifampin;
certain blood pressure medicines (including valsartan, Diovan, olmesartan, Benicar, others).
This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with gemfibrozil, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.
Your pharmacist can provide more information about gemfibrozil.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use gemfibrozil only for the indication prescribed.
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Medically reviewed by USARx EDITORIAL TEAM Last updated on 1/1/2020.
Source: Drugs.com Gemfibrozil (www.drugs.com/gemfibrozil.html).
Commonly reported side effects of gemfibrozil include: malignant neoplasm, pancreatitis, dyspepsia, and cholelithiasis. Other side effects include: abdominal pain. See below for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.
Applies to gemfibrozil: oral tablet
Along with its needed effects, gemfibrozil may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking gemfibrozil:
More common
Incidence not known
Some side effects of gemfibrozil may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Less common
Applies to gemfibrozil: compounding powder, oral tablet
The most frequently reported side effects were gastrointestinal reactions and included dyspepsia, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, acute appendicitis, constipation, and flatulence.
Very common (10% or more): Dyspepsia (19.6%)
Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal pain, acute appendicitis, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, constipation, flatulence
Rare (less than 0.1%): Pancreatitis
Frequency not reported: Colitis
Common (1% to 10%): Headache
Rare (less than 0.1%): Peripheral neuropathy, paresthesia, dizziness, somnolence
Frequency not reported: Peripheral neuritis, convulsions, syncope, hyperesthesia, taste perversion, intracerebral hemorrhage
Rare (less than 0.1%): Hepatitis, cholestatic jaundice, cholelithiasis, cholecystitis, hepatic function abnormal
Frequency not reported: ALT increased, AST increased, bilirubin increased, alkaline phosphatase increased
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Atrial fibrillation
Frequency not reported: Extrasystoles, vasculitis, peripheral vascular disease
Common (1% to 10%): Eczema, rash
Rare (less than 0.1%): Angioedema, urticaria, exfoliative dermatitis, dermatitis, pruritus, alopecia, photosensitivity reaction
Common (1% to 10%): Fatigue, vertigo
Rare (less than 0.1%): Creatine phosphokinase increased
Frequency not reported: Weight loss, viral infections, bacterial infections
Rare (less than 0.1%): Myopathy, myalgia, painful extremities, arthralgia, synovitis, rhabdomyolysis, myositis, muscular weakness
Frequency not reported: Lupus-like syndrome, myasthenia
Rare (less than 0.1%): Bone marrow failure, severe anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, eosinophilia, hemoglobin decreased, hematocrit decreased, WBC decreased
Frequency not reported: Anemia, bone marrow hypoplasia
Rare (less than 0.1%): Blurred vision
Frequency not reported: Retinal edema, cataracts
Rare (less than 0.1%): Erectile dysfunction
Frequency not reported: Impotence, male fertility decreased
Rare (less than 0.1%): Libido decreased, depression
Frequency not reported: Confusion
Rare (less than 0.1%): Laryngeal edema
Frequency not reported: Renal dysfunction, renal failure
Frequency not reported: Hepatoma
Frequency not reported: Positive antinuclear antibody, anaphylaxis
Medically reviewed by USARx EDITORIAL TEAM Last updated on 1/1/2020.
Source: Drugs.com Gemfibrozil (www.drugs.com/gemfibrozil.html).
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