This article describes possible side effects of gemfibrozil oral tablet. You can explore this overview article to learn more about gemfibrozil, including the drug’s uses, side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.
Gemfibrozil oral tablet is a generic version of the brand-name drug Lopid.
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More common side effects of gemfibrozil
Gemfibrozil oral tablet may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.
Commonly reported side effects of gemfibrozil oral tablet include:
Mild side effects of gemfibrozil
Gemfibrozil may cause certain mild side effects. Typically, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.
Mild side effects of gemfibrozil oral tablet that occurred in studies include:
- stomach pain
- stomach cramps
- changes in taste
- diarrhea
- dizziness
- headache
- indigestion
- mild muscle and joint aches and pains
- nausea or vomiting
- odd sensations, such as tingling, prickling, burning, or extreme sensitivity
- sleepiness
- mild allergic reaction*†
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of gemfibrozil in detail” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible with gemfibrozil oral tablet. But it’s unclear whether it occurred in the drug’s studies.
Gemfibrozil oral tablet may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.
Serious side effects of gemfibrozil
Gemfibrozil may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from gemfibrozil oral tablet, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with gemfibrozil.
Serious side effects of gemfibrozil oral tablet that occurred in studies include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of gemfibrozil in detail” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible with gemfibrozil oral tablet. But it’s unclear whether it occurred in the drug’s studies.
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Common questions about side effects of gemfibrozil
Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of gemfibrozil oral tablet. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Are withdrawal symptoms possible with gemfibrozil?
No, withdrawal symptoms aren’t likely with gemfibrozil. Withdrawal describes symptoms that can occur when you stop taking a drug suddenly. These kinds of symptoms weren’t reported in studies of gemfibrozil.
But stopping gemfibrozil may allow your triglyceride levels to rise. This can be a threat to your health. High triglycerides can lead to hardening of the arteries, heart attack, or stroke. Very high levels can also cause pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), which can be life threatening.
If you don’t want to take gemfibrozil anymore, talk with your doctor. Together, you can explore the reasons why and find another solution. Do not stop taking gemfibrozil without talking with your doctor first.
Can gemfibrozil cause kidney-related side effects?
Yes, kidney-related side effects are possible with gemfibrozil. Reports of worsening kidney function were included in studies of gemfibrozil. These reports come from people who already had high creatinine levels.
Creatinine levels help show how well your kidneys are functioning. High levels may mean that your kidneys aren’t working as well as they should.
Due to this risk, doctors may suggest other treatments besides gemfibrozil if you have kidney problems. Tell your doctor if you know you have kidney problems before starting gemfibrozil.
Is erectile dysfunction a possible side effect of gemfibrozil?
Yes, erectile dysfunction (ED) is a possible side effect of gemfibrozil. Reports of ED were included in studies of gemfibrozil. They list ED as a side effect that probably happens because of gemfibrozil.
Keep in mind, gemfibrizol treats high triglycerides. Having high triglycerides can lead to hardening of the arteries. And hardening of the arteries can contribute to ED, too.
If you’re having difficulty getting or maintaining an erection, talk with your doctor. They can determine the most likely cause and suggest ways to manage it.
Does gemfibrozil cause long-term side effects?
Long-term side effects aren’t expected with gemfibrozil oral tablet. In studies, specific side effects weren’t seen in people who had taken the drug for a long time. Long lasting side effects after treatment ended also weren’t reported.
Talk with your doctor if you have more questions about possible long-term side effects with gemfibrozil.
Side effects of gemfibrozil in detail
Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of gemfibrozil oral tablet.
Decreased blood cell counts
In studies, decreased blood cell counts were rare in people taking gemfibrozil oral tablet. This side effect is usually mild, but may be serious in some cases.
With decreased blood cell counts, you have low levels of red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets. Symptoms may include:
- easy bruising or bleeding
- fatigue
- frequent or recurrent infections
Most of the time, these changes in blood cell counts are mild. They usually become stable and stop changing with continued gemfibrozil treatment.
Ways to manage
Due to this risk, doctors usually check your blood cell counts from time to time during the first year of gemfibrozil treatment. If you experience symptoms of decreased blood cell counts, tell your doctor. They may order testing to find the most likely cause. They can also suggest ways to manage the problem.
Gallstones or gallbladder attacks
In studies, gallstones were common in people taking gemfibrozil oral tablet. This side effect may be serious.
With gallstones, you develop hard, stone-like particles in your gallbladder. The gallbladder stores bile for use during digestion. Gallstones don’t always cause symptoms. But if a gallstone blocks the opening of the gallbladder, you can have a gallbladder attack. Symptoms may include:
- appetite loss
- fever or chills
- nausea or vomiting
- pain in your upper right stomach, which may get worse after eating or drinking
- weight loss
Ways to manage
If you experience symptoms of a gallbladder attack, get emergency medical care. If your doctor finds gallstones, they may recommend stopping gemfibrozil.
Muscle problems
In studies, muscle problems were rare in people taking gemfibrozil oral tablet. This side effect is usually mild, but may be serious in rare cases.
Muscle aches and pains can happen with gemfibrozil oral tablet. Most of the time, it isn’t serious. But conditions such as myopathy and rhabdomyolysis are possible.
With myopathy, you have muscle damage that causes unexplained muscle weakness, pain, or tenderness. This can lead to rhabdomyolysis, which is a type of muscle breakdown that can be life threatening.
Symptoms of rhabdomyolysis may include:
- brown or red-colored urine
- fatigue
- fever
- muscle swelling
- severe muscle pain
- severe weakness
Taking gemfibrozil oral tablet with statin drugs can increase the risk of muscle problems.
Ways to manage
If you experience symptoms of muscle problems, or have mild muscle pain or weakness while taking gemfibrozil, tell your doctor right away.
They will run a lab test that will confirm if your muscle pain is due to rhabdomyolsyis. If it is, your doctor will have you stop taking gemfibrozil so that you don’t get further muscle damage.
For some people, gemfibrozil oral tablet can cause an allergic reaction.
But it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in the drug’s studies.
Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:
- itchiness
- skin rash
- swelling under the skin, typically affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to gemfibrozil oral tablet, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.
Warnings for gemfibrozil
Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking gemfibrozil oral tablet.
Warnings
It may not be safe for you to take gemfibrozil oral tablet if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether gemfibrozil oral tablet is a safe treatment option for you.
Before taking gemfibrozil oral tablet, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include:
Gemfibrozil and pregnancy
It’s not known whether gemfibrozil oral tablet should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Gemfibrozil and breastfeeding
Gemfibrozil oral tablet should not be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may recommend other ways to feed your child during treatment with gemfibrozil.
Gemfibrozil oral tablet isn’t known to interact with alcohol.
But excessive alcohol use can cause high triglycerides in some people. Keep in mind, doctors prescribe gemfibrozil to treat high triglycerides. So, drinking alcohol may blunt the benefit of taking gemfibrozil.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with gemfibrozil oral tablet.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes common and serious side effects of gemfibrozil oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- How do the side effects of gemfibrozil oral tablet compare to other drugs that could treat my condition?
- Do I have a higher risk of side effects than other people?
- How can I manage the most common side effects of gemfibrozil oral tablet?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
