GEMFIBROZIL

Indications & Dose:

Adjunct to diet and other appropriate measures in mixed hyperlipidaemia if statin contra-indicated or not tolerated

Adjunct to diet and other appropriate measures in primary hypercholesterolaemia if statin contra-indicated or not tolerated

Adjunct to diet and other appropriate measures in severe hypertriglyceridaemia

Adjunct to diet and other appropriate measures in primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in men with hyperlipidaemias if statin contra-indicated or not tolerated

• BY MOUTH

Adult: 1.2 g daily in 2 divided doses, maintenance 0.9–1.2 g daily

Contraindications:

Severe hepatic disease, preexisting gallbladder disease, severe renal disease, primary biliary cirrhosis 

Side Effects:

CNS: Fatigue, headache, hypesthesia, paresthesia, vertigo

CV: Atrial fibrillation

EENT: Blurred vision, cataracts, retinal edema

GI: Abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, dyspepsia, nausea, taste perversion, vomiting, cholelithiasis

GU: Impotence

HEME: Anemia, bone marrow hypoplasia, eosinophilia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia

METAB: Increased blood glucose

MS: Arthralgia, myalgia, myasthenia, myopathy, painful extremities, rhabdomyolysis, synovitis

SKIN: Alopecia, dermatitis, exfoliative dermatitis, pruritus

MISC: Weight loss, carcinogenesis

Cautions:

Precautions:

Children, cholelithiasis

Pregnancy; excretion into breast milk unknown; use caution in nursing mothers

Interaction:

Drugs 

Binding resins: Reduced bioBrands Available with Cost of gemfibrozil, separate doses by >2 hr

Glyburide: Increased risk of hypoglycemia

HMG  CoA  reductase  inhibitors  (avastatin,simvastatin, atorvastatin): Increased likelihood of drug induced myopathy

Pravastatin: Increased likelihood of drug induced myopathy

Warfarin: Increased hypoprothrombinemic, response to warfarin

Warnings:

Adverse Effects:

Lactations:

Special Precautions:

Counselling:

Side Effects Or Adverse Reactions:

Patient And Carer Advice: