Gemfibrozil - Oral

Gemfibrozil helps lower your cholesterol and triglyceride (fat) levels in the blood.

Excessive cholesterol and triglycerides in your body can clog up your blood vessels. This can lead to many health problems such as stroke and heart diseases, including heart attack.

This medicine is meant to be taken as part of a complete cholesterol management programme that should include exercise, a healthy diet and lifestyle.

Gemfibrozil may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.

Take Gemfibrozil exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.

Take it on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes before breakfast and dinner. Try to take it at the same time each day.

Gemfibrozil must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed by the doctor.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.

DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.

If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.

Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:

• history of allergic reactions due to ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunlight and other sources of light during treatment with similar medicines such as fenofibrate or clofibrate
• current or history of gall bladder disease
• primary biliary cirrhosis (a condition in which the bile ducts in the liver become slowly damaged)
• liver disease
• severe kidney disease

as Gemfibrozil may not be suitable for you.

Do not take this medicine if you are breastfeeding.

Do not take Gemfibrozil with other cholesterol-lowering medicines, medicines to treat viral infection, medicines for diabetes, and medicines for high blood pressure in the blood vessels leading to the lungs. Please see the section "Can I take this with other medicines?" below for more information.

Inform your doctor if you have mild to moderate kidney disease.

Let your doctor know if you are pregnant.

Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?

Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.

• Routine tests (e.g. liver function, complete blood count, cholesterol levels) may be done while you are being treated with Gemfibrozil. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
• Regular monitoring for signs of muscle problems may also be needed.

What lifestyle changes should I make to reduce my cholesterol levels?

A healthy, balanced diet and regular exercise are keys to helping you reduce your cholesterol levels. Try to control the type and amount of food that you eat each meal. Include lots of fruits and vegetables in your diet, and avoid eating fried foods or foods that are high in fat. If you have not been exercising, start slow and gradually step up your exercise capacity.

Gemfibrozil may cause any of the following side effects: stomach pain, indigestion, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, headache, and rash.

Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:

• persistent muscle or joint pain, muscle cramps, weakness or numbness
• yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, dark coloured urine, tiredness, swelling in the legs and ankles
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• frequent sore throat, mouth sores, fever, chills or sweating

Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.

Do not take Gemfibrozil if you are taking any of these medicines:

• simvastatin (cholesterol-lowering medicine)
• repaglinide (medicine for diabetes)
• dasabuvir (medicine for hepatitis C infection)
• selexipag (medicine used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension [high blood pressure in the blood vessels leading to the lungs])

Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:

• other cholesterol-lowering medicines e.g. rosuvastatin, atorvastatin
• blood-thinning medicines e.g. warfarin, acenocoumarol
• certain medicines for high blood pressure e.g. olmesartan, valsartan
• colchicine (medicine for gout [high uric acid level in the blood])
• enzalutamide (medicine for prostate cancer)

This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Gemfibrozil.

Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.

Avoid alcohol.

Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.

Protect from light and moisture.

Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.