Lopid, Gemfibrozil

Introduction

Written by Amber Watson, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Dana Kim, PharmD
Updated on July 26, 2023

Gemfibrozil (jem FI broe zil) is a generic medication prescribed for lowering triglyceride levels and reducing the risk of heart disease. Gemfibrozil belongs to a group of cholesterol-lowering drugs called fibrates.

Common questions about gemfibrozil

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about gemfibrozil.

What brand names are available for gemfibrozil?

Gemfibrozil is a generic version of the brand-name drug Lopid.

A generic drug is an exact copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) Generics are as safe and effective as the brand-name drug, and often cost less than the brand-name form.

To learn more about the brand-name form of gemfibrozil, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Is gemfibrozil similar to fenofibrate?

Yes, gemfibrozil has similarities to fenofibrate. Both are fibrate drugs used to lower certain cholesterol levels.

Specifically, gemfibrozil and fenofibrate are used for lowering triglyceride levels. But unlike fenofibrate, gemfibrozil is prescribed for reducing the risk of heart disease in certain people.

Fenofibrate is also used for lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or “bad” cholesterol and increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or “good” cholesterol.

If you’d like to learn more about how gemfibrozil and fenofibrate compare, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

How does gemfibrozil work? And how long does it take to start working?

How gemfibrozil works isn’t completely understood. But it’s thought to work by decreasing the amount of triglycerides your liver makes. Taking gemfibrozil helps to lower triglyceride levels and reduce the risk of heart disease.  

Gemfibrozil starts working after your first dose, but you likely won’t notice any changes. It may take several weeks for your triglyceride levels to decrease. Your doctor will give you blood tests to check your triglyceride levels during gemfibrozil treatment.

If you’d like to know more about how gemfibrozil works, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Is gemfibrozil a statin?

No, gemfibrozil isn’t a statin. Instead, gemfibrozil belongs to a group of cholesterol-lowering drugs called fibrates.

Like gemfibrozil, statins can be taken to lower triglyceride levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. Statins also have other uses.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about gemfibrozil and statins.

Side effects of gemfibrozil

Gemfibrozil may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of gemfibrozil and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about gemfibrozil’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for gemfibrozil listed in the “Resources” section.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with some forms of gemfibrozil are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about gemfibrozil’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for gemfibrozil listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Gemfibrozil oral tablet’s mild side effects include:

• indigestion (upset stomach)
• abdominal pain
• mild infection, such as urinary tract infection (UTI) or the common cold
• dizziness
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for gemfibrozil” section.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of gemfibrozil are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about gemfibrozil’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for gemfibrozil listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, gemfibrozil’s serious side effects include:

• appendicitis (inflammation of the appendix)
• atrial fibrillation (an irregular heart rhythm)
• gallstones
• rhabdomyolysis (damaged muscle tissue)
• altered senses, such as the way things taste
• nerve problems, such as numbness, tingling, or burning in the arms and legs
• low levels of certain red or white blood cells
• high liver enzymes, which may be a sign of liver damage
• severe allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for gemfibrozil” section.

Interactions and warnings for gemfibrozil

Below, you’ll find information about gemfibrozil’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of gemfibrozil

Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you start treatment with gemfibrozil, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription or over-the-counter drugs
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for gemfibrozil” section below.

Warnings for gemfibrozil

Some people should not take gemfibrozil, and others should take it cautiously.

Gemfibrozil could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether gemfibrozil is a safe option for you.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for gemfibrozil, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Gemfibrozil can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to gemfibrozil or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe gemfibrozil. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to gemfibrozil, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of gemfibrozil

You should not take more gemfibrozil than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve taken too much gemfibrozil, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and gemfibrozil

Information about gemfibrozil and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Gemfibrozil and pregnancy
There are risks to taking gemfibrozil during pregnancy. But there are also risks with having high triglyceride levels while pregnant. (Keep in mind that gemfibrozil is used for lowering triglyceride levels.)

If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about treatment options for lowering triglyceride levels during pregnancy. Together, you can discuss the risks and benefits of your treatment options and decide whether or not you should take gemfibrozil during pregnancy.

Gemfibrozil and breastfeeding

Gemfibrozil should not be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re 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.

Uses of gemfibrozil

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as gemfibrozil for certain conditions. Approved uses for gemfibrozil are described below.

Use for lowering triglyceride levels and reducing the risk of heart disease

Doctors may prescribe gemfibrozil oral tablet for lowering triglyceride levels and reducing the risk of heart disease. It’s used for these purposes in certain adults. It’s usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.

Triglycerides are a kind of fat found naturally in your body. Your liver makes triglycerides, but they’re also found in foods such as oil and butter. Having higher levels of triglycerides than your body uses can cause serious health problems. These include heart disease, which may lead to heart attack or stroke.

Gemfibrozil is prescribed together with a diet that helps lower triglyceride levels.

What to ask your doctor

Let your doctor know if you have questions about gemfibrozil or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• How often will I have blood tests to check my triglyceride levels while I’m taking gemfibrozil?
• Will I take gemfibrozil with other cholesterol-lowering treatments?
• What foods should I eat to help lower triglyceride levels while I’m taking gemfibrozil?
• Should I take gemfibrozil with food?

Resources

• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Gemfibrozil tablets, USP 600 mg. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/5501438d-5247-4f2a-8e15-085276d01725/spl-doc

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.