GEMFIBROZIL belongs to a group of medications called 'fibric acid derivatives' or 'fibrates' primarily used to treat raised or increased levels of cholesterol or fat/oils. Hyperlipidaemia or hypertriglyceridemia is a condition in which there is a high level of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) or bad cholesterol and a decreased level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or good cholesterol. Increased bad cholesterol level leads to a high risk of heart attack and stroke in the future, especially for heart disease patients.
GEMFIBROZIL contains 'Gemfibrozil' which works by increasing the natural substance that breaks down fats in the bloodstream, thereby increasing its utilization and removal. As a result, GEMFIBROZIL decreases harmful cholesterol like LDL (bad cholesterol), triglycerides (TG), and increases levels of HDL (good cholesterol).
Take GEMFIBROZIL as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take GEMFIBROZIL for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you, depending on your medical conditions. You may experience vomiting, abdominal pain, nausea, flatulence, and diarrhoea. Most of these side effects of GEMFIBROZIL do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
It is important to have your cholesterol and triglyceride levels (lipid profile) checked regularly. Before starting GEMFIBROZIL, please inform your doctor if you have any allergy, severe kidney disease, severe liver disease, or gallbladder disease. Inform your doctor if you have ever had gallstones, cataracts (clouding in the eye lens that causes decreased vision) and heart disease. Inform your doctor if you have taken other cholesterol medicines with this GEMFIBROZIL. Immediately contact your doctor if you are pregnant and breastfeeding.
High cholesterol levels.
GEMFIBROZIL belongs to a group of medication called 'fibric acid derivatives' or 'fibrates' primarily used to treat raised or increased levels of cholesterol or fat/oils. GEMFIBROZIL works by increasing the natural substance that breaks down fats in the bloodstream, thereby increasing its utilization and removal. As a result, GEMFIBROZIL decreases harmful cholesterol like LDL (bad cholesterol), triglycerides (TG), and increases levels of HDL (good cholesterol).
Before taking GEMFIBROZIL, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any fibrate products. Inform your doctor if you ever had rhabdomyolysis (high risk of muscle breakdown), thyroid disease, history of muscle pain and weakness. If you are above 70 years, then contact your doctor before taking this GEMFIBROZIL. Before starting GEMFIBROZIL, please inform your doctor if you have any allergy, severe kidney disease, severe liver disease, and gallbladder disease before starting $ name. Inform your doctor if you have ever had gallstones, cataracts (clouding in the eye's lens that causes decreased vision), diabetes, and heart disease. Inform your doctor if you have taken other cholesterol medicines with this GEMFIBROZIL. Immediately contact your doctor if you are pregnant and breastfeeding. The use of alcohol with GEMFIBROZIL increases liver damage, so its use should be avoided.
Drug-Drug Interaction: GEMFIBROZIL interacts with blood sugar lowering pills (rosiglitazone, pioglitazone, repaglinide), a drug used to treat hepatitis C infection (dasabuvir), other medicines used to lower cholesterol levels (atorvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin), medicines for cancer (dabrafenib), medicines for diarrhoea (loperamide), medicines for asthma (montelukast), blood thinner (warfarin, acenocoumarol, and phenprocoumon), antigout (colchicine).
Drug-Food Interaction: Avoid food containing excess fat. Avoid grapefruit juice while taking GEMFIBROZIL.
Drug-Disease Interaction: GEMFIBROZIL should not be given in the condition of liver diseases like biliary cirrhosis (fatty liver disease), Rhabdomyolysis (the breakdown of muscles) and gall stones (cholelithiasis).
Alcohol may interact with GEMFIBROZIL. Therefore, avoid the use of alcohol while taking this GEMFIBROZIL.
It is not known whether GEMFIBROZIL will harm an unborn baby. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this GEMFIBROZIL.
It is unknown whether GEMFIBROZIL passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. It would be best if you did not breast-feed while taking GEMFIBROZIL.
Although unlikely, you may feel dizzy or experience visual disturbances whilst taking this GEMFIBROZIL.
GEMFIBROZIL to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of liver disease. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
GEMFIBROZIL to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of kidney disease or is currently on the dialysis stage. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
GEMFIBROZIL is not recommended for children.
Hyperlipidemia occurs when there are too many lipids (or fats), like cholesterol and triglycerides (TG). Hypercholesterolemia is a type of Hyperlipidemia in which there is excessive low-density lipoprotein - LDL (bad cholesterol) and low level of high-density lipoprotein - HDL (good cholesterol) in your blood. This condition increases the deposition of fats on the lining of heart arteries, increasing the risk of heart blockage and other blood clot problems.