How should this medicine be used?
Gemfibrozil comes in tablets and capsules to take by mouth.
It usually is taken twice a day, 30 minutes before the morning
and evening meals. Follow the directions on your prescription
label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain
any part you do not understand. Take gemfibrozil exactly as
directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often
than prescribed by your doctor.
Continue to take gemfibrozil even if you feel well. Do not
stop taking gemfibrozil without talking to your doctor.
What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking gemfibrozil,
* tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to
gemfibrozil or any other drugs.
* tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and
nonprescription medications you are taking, especially
anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin)
and vitamins. If you take insulin or oral diabetes
medications, your dose may need to be changed because
gemfibrozil can increase the amount of sugar in your blood.
Talk to your doctor before changing your dose.
* tell your doctor if you have or have ever had ulcers;
diabetes; or gallbladder, kidney, or liver disease.
* tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become
pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while
taking gemfibrozil, call your doctor.
* if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell
the doctor or dentist that you are taking gemfibrozil.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Eat a low-cholesterol, low-fat diet. This kind of diet
includes cottage cheese, fat-free milk, fish (not canned in
oil), vegetables, poultry, egg whites, and polyunsaturated
oils and margarines (corn, safflower, canola, and soybean
oils). Avoid foods with excess fat in them such as meat
(especially liver and fatty meat), egg yolks, whole milk,
cream, butter, shortening, lard, pastries, cakes, cookies,
gravy, peanut butter, chocolate, olives, potato chips,
coconut, cheese (other than cottage cheese), coconut oil, palm
oil, and fried foods.
What should I do if I forget a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However,
if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose
and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a
double dose to make up for a missed one.
What side effects can this medication cause?
Although side effects from gemfibrozil are not common, they
can occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are
severe or do not go away:
* stomach pain
* diarrhea
* constipation
* vomiting
* gas
* headache
* dizziness
* blurred vision
* flushing
If you experience either of the following symptoms, call
your doctor immediately:
* muscle pain
* weakness
