What is Gemfibrozil for?

One of the important factors in maintaining the health of the heart and blood vessels is the amount of fat in the blood. An increase in the amount of blood fats, especially LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) and triglycerides, can create a risk for the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis (lung calcification) and cause serious health problems for people. In this article, we examine the performance and effects of gemfibrozil on reducing blood lipids and improving cardiovascular health. This drug has been introduced as a solution in controlling blood fats with a mechanism of action different from other drugs.

Pharmaceutical forms of Fibrozil Jam

Jam Fibrozil drug is available in the market in the form of 600 mg tablets and capsules. Also, its related drugs include clofibrate and fenofibrate.

Uses of Jam Fibrozil tablets

Fibrozil Gem is used along with a proper diet to help reduce fat (triglyceride) and increase good cholesterol (HDL) in the blood. It may also help lower “bad” (LDL) cholesterol. Fibrozil Gem belongs to a group of drugs known as “fibrates” that work by reducing the amount of fat produced by the liver. Lowering triglycerides in people with very high blood triglyceride levels may reduce the risk of developing pancreatic disease (pancreatitis). However, Fibrozil may not reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke. In addition to eating a good diet (such as a low-cholesterol or low-fat diet), other lifestyle changes may also help this drug work better.

1. Nervous ceroid lipofuscinoses (orphan)
2. Hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia

Pharmacological effects and mechanism of action of gemfibrozil

The mechanism of action of this drug inhibits peripheral lipolysis and reduces hepatic uptake of free fatty acids, which in turn may inhibit VLDL secretion. It may also increase HDL cholesterol (mechanism unknown). Metabolism of this drug is bound by enterohepatic circulation and protein distribution: 99%. Finally, it is excreted through urine (70%) and feces (6%).

Dosage of gemfibrozil tablets

Take this medication orally as directed by your doctor, usually twice a day (30 minutes before the morning and evening meals). Dosage is based on medical condition and response to treatment. If you are taking other medications to lower your cholesterol, such as bile acid-binding resins (such as cholestyramine or colestipol), take gemfibrozil at least 1 hour before or at least 4-6 hours after taking these medications. These drugs can react with Fibrozil gel and prevent its complete absorption.

Time to use Fibrozil Jam

How to use gemfibrozil in children or the elderly has not been stated by the drug manufacturer. For this reason, children and the elderly should consult a doctor or pharmacist for exact dosage and time. Take this medicine regularly to get the most benefit from it. Remember to take this medicine at the same time each day. Most people with high cholesterol or triglycerides do not feel sick. For this reason, it is very important to follow your doctor’s advice on diet and exercise, as it may take up to 3 months to get the full benefits of this medication.

How to take Jam Fibrozil tablets

1. This drug is prescribed for hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, 600 mg every 12 hours, which should be taken 30 minutes before morning and evening meals.
2. It is used for nervous ceroid lipofuscinosis (orphan) with the approval and prescription of a doctor in patients.
3. In mild to moderate renal impairment, use caution if patient’s baseline serum creatinine is >2 mg/dL. Deterioration of renal function has been reported in such patients. Also, this drug is contraindicated in patients with severe kidney disorders.
4. This drug may be useful for preventing cardiovascular events in patients at risk, even if patients have normal cholesterol levels. Side effects of the drug due to overdose may include peripheral neuropathy, diarrhea, increased K+, myopathy, rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney failure, increased LFT, and clouding of the eye lens.

Precautions

Before taking gemfibrozil, if you are allergic to it or other “fibrates” (such as fenofibrate), avoid using the drug. This medicine may contain inactive ingredients that can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Patients, inform the doctor of your medical history, including liver disease (such as biliary cholangitis, hepatitis), gall bladder disease, kidney disease, alcohol consumption, etc. You should not become pregnant while using gemfibrozil, this drug may harm the baby or fetus.

1. If there is no response or improvement after 3 months of taking this medicine, discontinue Fibrozil Jam. This drug can increase the risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis with renal failure.
2. The risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis is increased with concomitant use of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (eg, atorvastatin, pravastatin).
3. If co-administered with anticoagulants, reduce the anticoagulant dose and monitor the prothrombin time until stabilization.
4. Simultaneous use with bile acid resin binders reduces gemfibrozil AUC by 30%.
5. Rule out secondary causes of hyperlipidemia before starting treatment. If no lipid response is observed, discontinue use.
6. Fibrozil may increase the excretion of cholesterol in the bile. If kidney stones are suspected, perform gallbladder studies. If gallstones are found, discontinue treatment.
7. Jam Fibrozil inhibits CYP2C8 enzyme activity. It may also increase exposure to CYP2C8 substrates. Consider dose reduction of CYP2C8 substrates if co-administered.
8. Gemfibrozil may increase the exposure of drug substrates of OATP1B1 when co-administered. Consider dose reduction of OATP1B1 substrates if co-administered.
9. Rarely, severe anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia and bone marrow hypoplasia have been reported. Periodic blood counts during the first 12 months of treatment are recommended.
10. Worsening of renal failure after the addition of therapy was reported in subjects with plasma creatinine ≥2.0 mg/dL. In such patients, consider using alternative therapy against the risks and benefits of a lower metformin dose.
11. Gemfibrozil may increase enzalutamide levels when co-administered, which may increase the risk of seizures. If necessary, reduce the dose of enzalutamide.

Contraindications to Fibrozil Jam

1. Hypersensitivity
2. Severe liver or kidney disease
3. Primary biliary cirrhosis
4. Pre-existing gallbladder disease.
5. Simultaneous use with repaglinide, simvastatin, celexipag or dasabuvir

Gemfibrozil side effects

Stomach discomfort, stomach and abdominal pain, unusual taste, abdominal pain, atrial fibrillation, diarrhea, fatigue and constipation are some of the side effects of gemfibrozil. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist right away. Most people who use this drug do not experience serious side effects. The serious side effects of this drug are nausea or vomiting that does not stop, severe stomach or abdominal pain, yellowing of the eyes or skin, dark urine, etc. If any of these side effects occur, stop taking the medicine and inform the doctor.

1. Indigestion
2. stomach ache
3. Atrial fibrillation
4. diarrhea
5. tiredness
6. eczema
7. rush
8. dizziness
9. constipation
10. Headache

Drug interactions of Fibrozil Jam

1. Category X interactions (avoid): amodiaquine, asunapravir, atorvastatin, bexarotene (systemic), ciprofibrate, dasabuvir, elagolix, elagolix/estradiol/norethindrone, ezetimibe, fluvastatin, grazopravir, lovastatin, ombitasvir/paritavir/ritonavir/dasabuvir, pitavastatin, pravastatin, Repaglinide, rufenacin, rosuvastatin, celexipeg, simvastatin, vexilaprevir
2. Reducing the effects of drugs by Gemfibrozil: chenodiol, cyclosporine (systemic), imatinib, ursodiol
3. Reducing the effects of Fibrozil by drugs: Bile acid complexing agents
4. Increasing the effects of drugs by Gem Fibrozil: apalutamide, asunapravir, atorvastatin, bexarotene (systemic), colchicine, dabrafenib, dasabuvir, desloratadine, dichlorophenamide, Elagolix, Elagolix/estradiol/norethindrone, eloxadoline, enzalutamide, ezetimibe, fluvastatin, grazoprovir, paclitaxel ( common and protein-bound form), pioglitazone, pitavastatin, pravastatin, repaglinide, rufenacin, rosiglitazone, rosuvastatin, selexipeg, simvastatin, sulfonylureas, terprostinil, tocatinib, lovastatin, montelukast, OATP1B1/1B3 substrate (SLCO1B1/1B3),

Use of gemfibrozil during pregnancy and breastfeeding

There are no adequate and controlled studies in pregnant women. The drug should be used during pregnancy only if the possible benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Animal studies have shown adverse effects in rats and rabbits at doses between 0.5 and 3 times the human dose (based on level). Administration to female rats at a dose 2 times human (based on level) before and during pregnancy caused a dose-dependent decrease in conception rate, an increase in stillbirths, and a slight decrease in pup weight during lactation.

Also, administration of 0.6 and 2 times the human dose (based on level) of LOPID to female rats from day 15 of pregnancy to weaning caused a dose-dependent decrease in birth weight and suppression of pup growth during lactation. Also, after administration (based on the level) to female rabbits during organogenesis, it caused a dose-dependent decrease in litter size and, in high doses, an increase in the incidence of parietal bone changes.

The effect of Jam Fibrozil on breastfeeding

It is not known whether the drug is excreted in human milk, since many drugs are excreted in human milk and because of the tumorigenic potential shown for the drug in animal studies, the importance of the drug to the mother should be considered. Make a decision about stopping breastfeeding or stopping the drug.

Storage conditions of Jam Fibrozil medicine

Jam Fibrozil should be stored at room temperature and away from light and moisture. Keep all chemical and herbal medicines out of the reach of children and animals.

The last word about Jam Fibrozil medicine

As we explained in this article from Positive Green Online Pharmacy magazine, Fibrozil Jam is introduced as an effective and safe option in reducing blood fats and preventing cardiovascular diseases. This drug can be an important tool in the toolbox of doctors and patients to improve the cardiovascular health of patients. For this reason, more research on the effectiveness and uses of this drug in the long term is recommended to evaluate its long-term effects and determine its complete advantages and disadvantages.

Site source: Medscape