Lopid

Generic name: Gemfibrozil
Drug class: Fibric acid derivatives

Usage of Lopid

Lopid 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).

Lopid is used together with diet to treat very high cholesterol and triglyceride levels in people with pancreatitis.

Lopid is also used to lower the risk of stroke, heart attack, or other heart complications in certain people with high cholesterol and triglycerides who have not been helped by other treatment methods.

Lopid may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Lopid side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

In rare cases, Lopid 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);

jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes);

pain or burning when you urinate;

blurred vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights; or

low blood cell counts--pale skin, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, unusual tiredness, feeling light-headed or short of breath, cold hands and feet.

Common side effects of Lopid may include:

stomach pain, indigestion, diarrhea;

numbness or tingly feeling;

dizziness, drowsiness;

blurred vision;

muscle or joint pain; 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.

Before taking Lopid

You should not use Lopid if you are allergic to it, if you have:

severe liver disease;

severe kidney disease;

gallbladder disease; or

if you are also taking repaglinide, dasabuvir, or simvastatin.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

gallstones; or

if you also take warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven).

It is not known whether Lopid will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.

Relate drugs

How to use Lopid

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Lopid is usually taken 30 minutes before breakfast and dinner. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.

Lopid is only part of a complete treatment program that may also include diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.

You may need frequent medical tests. Even if you have no symptoms, tests can help your doctor determine if this medicine is effective.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

Warnings

You should not take Lopid if you have severe liver or kidney disease, gallbladder disease, or if you are also taking repaglinide, dasabuvir, or simvastatin.

What other drugs will affect Lopid

Using certain medicines together with Lopid can increase your risk of serious muscle problems. It is very important to tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using, especially:

colchicine; or

a "statin" cholesterol-lowering medicine--atorvastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin, pitavastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin, simvastatin, Crestor, Lipitor, Zocor, Vytorin, and others.

This list is not complete and many other drugs may affect Lopid. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.