Lopid drug: Uses, indications and cautions when using

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Lopid (gemfibrozil) is a lipid regulator used to treat cholesterol and triglyceride levels in people with pancreatitis, and is also used to reduce the risk of stroke, heart attack, or cardiovascular complications. different in people with high cholesterol and triglycerides. In the article will provide information about the uses, indications and notes when using Lopid.

1. Uses of Lopid

Lopid (gemfibrozil) is used together with a proper diet to help reduce fats (triglycerides) and raise "good" cholesterol (HDL) in the blood. It may also help lower "bad" cholesterol (LDL). Gemfibrozil belongs to a group of drugs known as "fibrates." It works by reducing the amount of fat produced by the liver. Reducing triglycerides in people with very high levels of triglycerides in the blood may reduce the risk of pancreatic disease (pancreatitis, conditions affecting the pancreas, a gland that produces fluid to break down food and hormones to control blood sugar).

2. How to use Lopid

Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually twice a day (30 minutes before your breakfast and dinner).
The dose, form of medication and how often you take it will depend on:
Your age The condition being treated The severity of your condition Other medical conditions you need How you reaction to the first dose If you are also taking certain other medicines to lower cholesterol (bile acid binding resins such as cholestyramine or colestipol) then take gemfibrozil at least 1 hour before or at least 4-6 hours after these drugs. These products may react with gemfibrozil, preventing its complete absorption.
Taking this medicine regularly will get the most benefit from it. Remember to take it at the same times each day. Gemfibrozil controls high triglycerides and low HDL, but does not cure them. Keep taking gemfibrozil even if you feel well. Do not stop using gemfibrozil without talking to your doctor. Most people with high cholesterol/triglyceridemia will not feel sick.
It is very important to continue to follow your doctor's advice about diet and regular exercise. It may take up to 3 months before you get the full benefit of this medicine.
Dosage for adults (ages 18–64 years): Typical dosage is 600mg twice daily.
Pediatric dosage (ages 0–17 years): It has not been confirmed that gemfibrozil is safe and effective when given to children. Not for use in children under 18 years of age.
Dosage for older adults (65 years of age and older): Older adults' kidneys may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process the medicine more slowly. As a result, a higher amount of the drug stays in your body for a longer time. This will increase the risk of side effects.
If you have kidney problems, your doctor may start treatment with a lower dose or different dosing schedule. This can help keep this drug from building up too much in your body.

Before taking gemfibrozil, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to gemfibrozil, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in gemfibrozil tablets. Ask your pharmacist for a list of ingredients. Tell your doctor if you are taking dasabuvir (Viekira Pak), simvastatin (Zocor, Vytorin), or repaglinide (Prandin, Prandimet). Your doctor will likely ask you not to take gemfibrozil while you are taking any of these medicines. Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, nutritional supplements and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: Atorvastatin (Lipitor, in Caduet), bosentan (Tracleer), colchicine (Colcrys, Mitigare, in Col-Probenecid), dabrafenib (Tafinlar), enzalutamide (Xtandi), ezetimibe (Zetia). , Vytorin), glyburide (Diabeta, Glynase, in Glucovance), irinotecan (Camptosar, Onivyde), loperamide (Imodium), lovastatin (Altoprev), montelukast (Singulair), olmesartan (Benicar, in Azor, Tribenzor) (Abraxane, Taxol) , pioglitazone (Actos, in Actoplus Met, Duetact, Oseni), pitavastatin (Livalo), rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, in Rifamate, Rifater), rosiglitazone (Avandia), rosuvastatina (Crestor), valsartan (Diovan, in Entresto, Exforge) and warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven). Your doctor may need to change the dose of your medicine or monitor you very carefully for side effects. Other drugs can also interact with gemfibrozil, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking, even those not on this list. If you are taking colestipo l (Colestid) then take it 2 hours before or 2 hours after gemfibrozil. Tell your doctor if you have kidney, liver, or gallbladder disease. Your doctor may tell you not to take gemfibrozil. Tell your doctor that you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking gemfibrozil then call your doctor. Follow directions Gemfibrozil is used for long term treatment. Your doctor may decide to stop taking gemfibrozil after three months of treatment if you don't have enough change in your triglyceride levels.
This medicine comes with serious risks if you do not take it as prescribed.
If you stop taking the medicine suddenly or don't take it at all: Your triglyceride levels will probably increase. If your triglyceride levels are too high then you have a higher risk of heart disease or pancreatitis.
If you miss a dose or don't take it on schedule: Your medicine may not work as well or may stop working altogether. For this drug to work well, you need to have a certain amount in your body.
If you take too much: You could have dangerous levels of the drug in your body. Symptoms of overdose may include:
Stomach pain Headache Muscle pain What to do if you miss a dose: Take the dose as soon as you remember. But if you remember just a few hours before your next scheduled dose, take only a single dose. Never try to catch up by taking two consecutive doses at once. This can lead to dangerous side effects.
How to tell if the drug is working: You will see a decrease in triglyceride levels and an increase in HDL levels. You may not feel any difference while using this medicine. Your doctor will monitor your cholesterol levels to make sure the medication is working for you.

3. Important notes when using gemfibrozil

Keep these considerations in mind if your doctor prescribes gemfibrozil for you.
General This medicine should be taken before meals. Drink 30 minutes before breakfast and dinner. Do not cut or crush the tablet. Storage Store gemfibrozil at room temperature between 68°F and 77°F (20°C and 25°C). Keep this medicine away from light. Do not store this medicine in damp places, such as the bathroom. Travel When traveling with your medication:
Always carry your medication with you. When flying, never put it in a checked bag. Keep it in your hand luggage. Don't worry about the X-ray machine at the airport. They cannot harm your medicine. You may need to show the airport staff the label for your medication. Always carry the original prescription-labelled container with you. Do not leave this medication in the glove compartment of a car or in a car. Remember to avoid doing this when the weather is very hot or very cold. Clinical monitoring Your doctor will monitor your triglyceride levels while you use this medicine. They may check your triglyceride levels every 3 to 12 months to make sure this medication is working.
Your diet In addition to using gemfibrozil, a good diet is very important to help you control your triglyceride levels. Weight loss can also help bring triglyceride levels back to normal. Talk to your doctor or dietitian for more information.

4. Lopid side effects

Common side effects Common side effects that can occur with gemfibrozil use include:
Stomach pain Abdominal pain Nausea Vomiting Diarrhea Constipation Rash Dizziness Headache Change in the way things taste Muscle pain If these effects are mild, they will likely go away in a few days or weeks. If they get worse or don't go away talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Serious side effects Call your doctor at once if you have serious side effects. Get medical attention right away if your symptoms are life-threatening or if you think you have a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms may include the following:
Gallstones . Symptoms may include: Pain in the upper right part of the abdomen (stomach area) Nausea Vomiting Rhabdomyolysis (muscle toxicity). Symptoms may include: Pain, tenderness, or weakness in your muscles Dark urine

5. Gemfibrozil can interact with other drugs

Gemfibrozil oral tablet may interact with other medications such as vitamins or herbs that you may be taking. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This has the potential to cause harm or prevent the medicine from working properly.
To avoid interactions, your doctor should carefully manage all of your medications. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs that you are taking. To find out if these medicines may interact with something else you are taking, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Examples of drugs that can cause interactions with gemfibrozil are listed below.
Allergy and asthma medicine Montelukast is used to treat allergies and asthma . Using gemfibrozil along with it may increase your risk of side effects. Your doctor may reduce the dose of this medicine if you need to take it with gemfibrozil.
The blood thinner Warfarin is used to thin the blood. When it is taken with gemfibrozil, the effects of warfarin may be increased. This increases the risk of bleeding. Your doctor may reduce your warfarin dose and monitor you more often when you start using gemfibrozil.
Cancer drugs Taking certain cancer medicines with gemfibrozil may increase the effects of those cancer drugs. Your doctor may reduce the dosage of these medicines if you need to use them with gemfibrozil. Examples of these medications include:
Dabrafenib Enzalutamide Paclitaxel Diarrhea drug Loperamide is used to treat diarrhea. When used with gemfibrozil, the effects of loperamide may be increased. Your doctor may reduce your dose of loperamide if you need to take it with gemfibrozil.

Cholesterol-lowering medications Some medications that also help lower cholesterol increase certain risks if taken with gemfibrozil. These medicines should not be used with gemfibrozil. They will increase the risk of myotoxicity or kidney failure. This will likely happen after three weeks of combined treatment or it may happen after several months. Examples of these drugs include:
Atorvastatin Fluvastatin Lovastatin Pitavastatin Pravastatin Rosuvastatin Simvastatin In addition, some cholesterol medications may decrease the effects of gemfibrozil. To prevent this, you should take these medicines two or more hours after you take gemfibrozil. Examples of these medicines include:
Cholestyramine Colesevelam Colestipol Diabetes drugs Taking gemfibrozil with some diabetes medicines may increase the effects of those medicines. This can increase the risk of severely low blood sugar. These medicines should not be used with gemfibrozil. Examples of these drugs include:
Repaglinide Other diabetes medications may require a dose reduction when taken with gemfibrozil. Includes:
Glyburide Glimepiride Glipizide Nateglinide Pioglitazone Rosiglitazone Gout medicine Colchicine is used to treat gout. Taking gemfibrozil with this medicine increases the risk of serious muscle toxicity. This condition can cause kidney failure or death. You are more likely to be at risk if you are elderly (age 65 or older) or have kidney problems.
Hepatitis C drug Dasabuvir is used to treat hepatitis C . Do not use this medicine with gemfibrozil.
This medicine treats pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) Selexipag is used to treat PAH. Do not use this medicine with gemfibrozil.
Gemfibrozil Warnings This medicine comes with some warnings.
Allergy warning Gemfibrozil can cause a serious allergic reaction. Symptoms may include:
Difficulty breathing Swelling of your throat If you have these symptoms call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Do not take this medicine again if you have ever had an allergic reaction to it. Reuse can cause death (cause death).
Warning for people with certain health conditions For people with kidney problems: Gemfibrozil can make your kidney disease worse. If you have kidney failure, you should not take gemfibrozil.
For people with heart disease: Gemfibrozil has not been shown to help reduce the risk of dying from heart disease. Your doctor may stop taking gemfibrozil if it doesn't reduce your triglycerides much.

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References: webmd.com, healthline.com, medlineplus.gov