How long should you take gemfibrozil?
Take as directed Gemfibrozil is used for long-term treatment. Your doctor may decide to stop gemfibrozil after three months of therapy if you don’t have enough change in your triglyceride levels. This drug comes with serious risks if you don’t take it as prescribed.
Is gemfibrozil safe to take?
Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. This medication may rarely cause gallstones and liver problems. Tell your doctor right away if you notice any of these serious side effects: severe stomach/abdominal pain, persistent nausea/vomiting, yellowing eyes/skin, dark urine.
Does gemfibrozil affect kidney function?
Even when these individuals were excluded, no clinically significant effect of gemfibrozil on kidney function was observed. Conclusion: Gemfibrozil does not appear to exert a clinically relevant effect on rates of kidney function loss in individuals with moderate CRI, low HDL-C levels, and concomitant coronary disease.
What happens if I stop taking gemfibrozil?
When you stop taking this medicine, your blood cholesterol levels may increase again. Your doctor may want you to follow a special diet to help prevent this from happening. Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor.
Why is gemfibrozil taken before meals?
Take your doses ½-1 hour before a meal. This is because gemfibrozil is absorbed better when your stomach is empty. It is best to take gemfibrozil with the same meals each day, as this helps remind you to take your doses regularly. The ideal times to take your doses are before your breakfast and evening meal.
Can I take gemfibrozil without food?
This medicine is usually taken two times a day. If you are taking two doses per day, it is best to take the medicine 30 minutes before your breakfast and evening meal. If you are taking colestipol, take it at least 2 hours before or after taking gemfibrozil.
Can gemfibrozil cause fatigue?
Check with your doctor right away if you have dark-colored urine, diarrhea, a fever, muscle cramps or spasms, muscle pain or stiffness, or feel very tired or weak. These could be symptoms of a serious muscle problem called rhabdomyolysis, which can cause kidney problems.
When should Lopid be discontinued?
In clinical trials, doses have ranged from 900—1600 mg/day PO. Gemfibrozil should be discontinued if serum lipoprotein concentrations do not improve substantially after 3 months of therapy.
Can gemfibrozil raise blood sugar?
Gemfibrozil increases blood levels of repaglinide (Prandin) in people with diabetes, increasing the likelihood of developing low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). This combination should be avoided.
Is gemfibrozil a statin?
Is gemfibrozil (Lopid) a statin? Gemfibrozil (Lopid) is a fibrate, which is a class of medications that help with cholesterol problems, especially high triglycerides. Statins also help with cholesterol problems but work differently than gemfibrozil (Lopid).