Brand Name

Lopid {Pfizer}

Generic Name

gemfibrozil, pronounced jem FYE broe zil

What is Lopid? Lopid helps to reduce the amount of cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood. Lopid is also used to treat patients with pancreatitis who have very high cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Your doctor may have prescribed Lopid for you to help lower your risk of a heart attack or stroke, especially if you have high cholesterol and triglycerides and you have not been helped by other treatments.

Lopid may also be used for purposes not indicated in this medication guide.

Key Facts About Lopid

Lopid helps to reduce the amount of cholesterol that your body absorbs from your diet. Lopid is a part of a complete program of treatment your doctor may have prescribed that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control.

You cannot take certain cholesterol medications at the same time that you take Lopid. Do not take Lopid at the same time with cholestyramine (Prevalite, Questran), colestipol (Colestid), or colesevelam (Welchol). You should wait at least 2 hours after taking any of these medications before you can take Lopid. You may also take Lopid 2 hours before taking any of these medications.

You should not drink alcohol while taking Lopid.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Lopid is in FDA Pregnancy Category C. It is not yet known if Lopid may harm your unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking Lopid as it is not known if Lopid passes into breast milk.

Before You Take Lopid

If you are allergic togemfibrozil you should not take Lopid.

Tell your doctor if you are taking repaglinide (Prandin) to treat type 2 diabetes.

Before taking Lopid, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease or gallbladder disease.

Plan to avoid eating foods that are high in fat. Lopid is not as effective at lowering your cholesterol levels is you are not following a cholesterol-lowering diet plan and exercising.

Lopid Drug Interactions

You should inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• blood thinners like warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven)
• cholesterol-lowering medications atorvastatin (Lipitor, Caduet), fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (Mevacor, Altoprev, Advicor), pravastatin (Pravachol), rosuvastatin (Crestor), and simvastatin (Zocor, Simcor, Vytorin)
• diabetes medications you take orally, or by mouth
• insulin injections

Other drugs you take that are not listed may interact with Lopid. You should tell your doctor about all of the medications you use. This includes prescription drugs, vitamins, supplements and herbal products, and over the counter medications. You should not begin taking a new medication without telling your doctor first.

Directions for Taking Lopid

Lopid is usually prescribed as a medication to take once daily, with or without food. You should take Lopid exactly as it is prescribed by your doctor. Your doctor may change your dose to make sure that you get the best results from Lopid. You should follow the instructions on your prescription label and not take Lopid for longer than recommended by your doctor, or in larger or smaller doses.

Lopid is usually taken twice daily, approximately 30 minutes before breakfast and dinner.

Lopid needs to be stored at room temperature, and away from light, moisture and heat.

If you miss a dose of Lopid you should attempt to take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose do not take the missed dose in addition to your regular dose.

Lopid Side Effects

If you experience any of the following adverse effects you should stop taking Lopid and seek emergency medical help immediately:

• blurry vision and seeing halos around lights
• difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• easy bruising with pale skin
• eye pain
• feeling faint
• fever with weakness and tiredness
• hives
• jaundice
• muscle pain, tenderness or weakness that is unusual
• pinpoint spots that are purple or red pinpoint and under your skin
• rapid heart rate with trouble concentrating
• sharp pain in your stomach, especially after eating
• urination that burns or is painful, or urine that is very dark

Less serious side effects of Lopid may include:

• cold symptoms like a runny or stuffy nose
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• headache
• impotence
• joint pain
• muscle pain
• nausea
• numbness or tingly feeling
• stomach pain or upset stomach
• vomiting

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of possible side effects of Lopid. You should contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

Lopid Description and Dosing

Lopid is available in 600 mg tablets. The tablets are white, elliptical, film-coated and scored .

You should consult your doctor for specific dosing of Lopid for your situation. Do not attempt to alter or change your dose without your physician’s consent.

If you suspect that you have overdosed with Lopid you should seek emergency help immediately.

Ingredients in Lopid

The primary active ingredient in Lopid is gemfibrozil. Other inactive ingredients include calcium stearate, candelilla wax, microcrystalline cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, methylparaben, polyethylene glycol, polysorbate 80, propylparaben, colloidal silicon dioxide and pregelatinized starch.

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The information contained in this drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

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