Gemfibrozil

About Gemfibrozil

Gemfibrozil lowers triglycerides and raises HDL cholesterol, alongside diet. The label limits it to adults with very high triglycerides at risk of pancreatitis despite a determined effort with diet, and to lowering the risk of heart disease in people who do not have it but have high LDL, high triglycerides and low HDL, once weight loss, diet, exercise and other medicines have not done enough. It is not indicated when high LDL or low HDL is the only problem, and the label says to stop it if lipids have not responded after three months.

Indigestion and stomach pain are the most common side effects. It is contraindicated in liver disease, severe kidney disease, primary biliary cirrhosis and existing gallbladder disease. It can increase cholesterol in the bile and cause gallstones, and it is stopped if gallstones are found. Liver tests are checked periodically, and blood counts during the first twelve months, because anemia and low white cell and platelet counts have rarely been reported. There is no boxed warning.

With a statin it raises the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis, a breakdown of muscle that has led to kidney failure and death. The label contraindicates simvastatin, says to avoid rosuvastatin or keep it to a low dose, and states that for people whose lipids have not responded well enough to either drug alone, the benefit of combining them does not outweigh the risk. Fibrates alone occasionally inflame muscle, so unexplained muscle pain, tenderness or weakness needs prompt checking. It also strengthens warfarin, which the label says needs a lower dose and close monitoring.

Taking Gemfibrozil

How to take it

Usually twice a day, 30 minutes before the morning and evening meals, alongside the low-fat, low-cholesterol diet and exercise your prescriber recommends.

If you miss a dose

Take it as soon as you remember, unless it is almost time for the next dose; then skip the missed dose and continue your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose.

Storage

At room temperature in the original container, tightly closed, protected from light and humidity, and out of reach of children.

Interactions to know about

It must not be taken with simvastatin, repaglinide, dasabuvir or selexipag. Other statins and colchicine raise the risk of muscle damage, and it strengthens warfarin. Take bile acid binders such as colestipol at least 2 hours apart from it. Report muscle pain, tenderness or weakness, or blurred vision, promptly.

This summarizes the official prescribing information. Your prescriber’s and pharmacist’s instructions, and the leaflet that comes with your medicine, take priority.

Why the cash price for Gemfibrozil differs from pharmacy to pharmacy

Generic gemfibrozil has many makers and costs pharmacies little, so the price is mostly the dispensing fee and markup. At two tablets a day, a month is sixty tablets, and a pharmacy that prices per tablet rather than from a flat-price list can quote far more.

Brand Lopid is still sold at a brand price, and a prescription that names it without allowing substitution must be filled with it. For long-term treatment, a ninety-day fill carries one dispensing fee instead of three.

Ways to pay less for Gemfibrozil without insurance

• Make sure the prescription allows generic substitution, so you are not quoted for Lopid.
• Ask whether gemfibrozil is on the pharmacy’s flat-price generic list.
• Once your treatment is settled, ask for a ninety-day supply.
• Upload the prescription to Script Unlock so licensed pharmacies can quote their cash price. You pay the pharmacy directly.

Questions to ask your pharmacist about Gemfibrozil

1. 1.Is it safe with my statin or other cholesterol medicine?
2. 2.Does it interact with my diabetes medicine or warfarin?
3. 3.How far apart should I take it from colestipol or another bile acid binder?
4. 4.Which muscle or stomach symptoms should I report?
5. 5.When will my triglycerides, liver tests and blood counts be checked?

Related medications