Gemfibrozil

1 medicine

Gemfibrozil is a fibrate that lowers triglycerides and raises HDL cholesterol. It must never be combined with certain statins, especially simvastatin, because the combination sharply raises the risk of severe muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis).

Lopid

Gemfibrozil

300mg

Lopid is a cholesterol medication containing Gemfibrozil, available as 300mg tablets.

from $1.92 / tablet View

Key facts

  • Gemfibrozil is a fibrate that lowers triglycerides and raises HDL ("good") cholesterol by speeding up how the body clears fat particles from the blood.
  • It is taken by mouth, usually twice daily before meals, mainly to reduce very high triglycerides and the risk of pancreatitis they can cause.
  • Gemfibrozil must never be combined with certain statins, especially simvastatin. The combination sharply raises statin blood levels and the risk of severe muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis), which can damage the kidneys.
  • Seek urgent care for severe muscle pain or weakness, dark urine, or yellowing of the skin or eyes.

What gemfibrozil treats

Gemfibrozil treats very high triglyceride levels, particularly to lower the risk of pancreatitis in people whose triglycerides remain high despite diet changes. It is also used for mixed dyslipidemia when other lipid-lowering options are not suitable. It is not a first-choice treatment for high LDL cholesterol alone; statins are preferred for that.

How gemfibrozil works

Gemfibrozil activates a receptor called PPAR-alpha in liver cells, which increases the breakdown of triglyceride-rich particles and reduces the liver's output of them. This lowers circulating triglycerides and modestly raises HDL cholesterol, reducing the risk of pancreatitis linked to very high triglyceride levels.

Before you take it

  • Do not take gemfibrozil if you have severe liver or kidney disease, gallbladder disease, or if you are already taking repaglinide or a statin your prescriber has flagged as unsafe with it.
  • Tell your prescriber about all other medicines, especially any statin, repaglinide, or blood thinners such as warfarin, since gemfibrozil raises the blood levels and effects of these drugs.
  • Gallstones are more common with fibrates; tell your prescriber about sudden upper abdominal pain.

Side effects

Common effects include stomach upset, diarrhea and mild muscle aches.

Stop and seek urgent medical care for:

  • Severe muscle pain, tenderness or weakness, especially with dark urine (possible rhabdomyolysis).
  • Yellowing of the skin or eyes, or persistent abdominal pain (possible liver or gallbladder problems).
  • Unusual bruising or bleeding.
  • Swelling of the face or throat, or difficulty breathing.

Safety essentials

  • Never combine gemfibrozil with simvastatin, and check with your prescriber before starting any other statin. This is the single most dangerous interaction with gemfibrozil and can cause life-threatening muscle breakdown.
  • Tell your prescriber immediately about new muscle pain or weakness, particularly if you are also taking a statin or repaglinide.
  • Periodic liver function and lipid blood tests are used to monitor treatment; report persistent abdominal pain, which can signal gallstones or pancreatitis.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.