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Common uses
Lopid is prescribed, along with a special diet, for treatment of people with very high levels of serum triglycerides (a fatty substance in the blood) who are at risk of developing pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) and who do not respond adequately to a strict diet.
This drug can also be used to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease in people who have failed to respond to weight loss, diet, exercise, and other triglyceride- or cholesterol-lowering drugs
Before using
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to gemfibrozil or have certain conditions. Be sure your doctor knows if you have:
• liver disease;
• severe kidney disease; or
• gallbladder disease.
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have a history of liver disease, kidney disease, or gallbladder disease. You may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use gemfibrozil.
Directions
Take gemfibrozil tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets with a drink of water. Take your doses twice a day, 30 minutes before the morning and evening meal unless otherwise directed. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
Cautions
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to gemfibrozil or if you have gallbladder disease, liver disease, or severe kidney disease.
Gemfibrozil is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.
Avoid eating foods that are high in fat or cholesterol. Gemfibrozil will not be as effective in lowering your cholesterol if you do not follow a cholesterol-lowering diet plan.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as sharp pain in your upper stomach (especially after eating), jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes), blurred vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights, or pain or burning when you urinate.
Possible side effects
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
•cough or hoarseness
•dark yellow or brown urine
•fever or chills
•lower back or side pain
•stomach pain with nausea and vomiting
•muscle pain
•pain or difficulty passing urine
•unusual tiredness
•yellowing of the eyes or skin
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
•blurred vision
•drowsiness, dizziness
•headache
•sexual dysfunction (loss of sexual desire)
•stomach gas, heartburn
If you take too much
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Overdose symptoms may include stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and joint or muscle pain.
Additional information
Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., blood triglyceride and cholesterol levels, liver function tests, complete blood count, fasting blood sugar levels or FBS) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.
For best results this medication should be used along with exercise, a low-fat/low-cholesterol diet, and weight loss program if you are overweight. In addition, check your blood pressure regularly, seek medical treatment if your blood pressure is high, and stop smoking to further help reduce your risk for a heart attack or stroke. Consult your doctor for more details.
Drug interactions
Before taking this gemfibrozil, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
• insulin or diabetes medication you take by mouth; or
• another cholesterol-lowering drug such as atorvastatin (Lipitor), lovastatin (Mevacor, Altocor), simvastatin (Zocor), pravastatin (Pravachol), fluvastatin (Lescol, Lescol XL), and others.
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with gemfibrozil. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
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Lopid
