Lipigem (Gemfibrozil)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Lipigem Used For?
Lipigem contains gemfibrozil, which belongs to a group of medicines called fibric acid derivatives or fibrates. It helps lower high triglycerides, cholesterol and other fats in your blood and should be used along with a low-fat diet.
Primary Uses
Lipigem is used to lower very high levels of triglycerides in patients with pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) when strict diet control hasn’t been enough. It can also control fats in the blood in diabetic patients and reduce the risk of heart diseases like angina and heart attacks in patients with high cholesterol levels.
How It Works
The exact way Lipigem works isn’t fully known, but it’s thought to reduce the amount of triglycerides your body makes. In most patients, Lipigem reduces ‘bad’ cholesterol and triglycerides and can actually raise ‘good’ cholesterol. However, it doesn’t reduce cholesterol that comes from fat in food, so you still need to follow a low-fat diet.
Good to know: Lipigem is not addictive.
How to Take Lipigem
Follow all directions given by your doctor and pharmacist carefully. These directions may differ from the information in this guide.
Dosage Instructions
The normal dose is one 600 mg tablet twice a day – one in the morning and one in the evening. Swallow the tablets whole with water or other liquid. Don’t crush or chew them. The tablets work best when taken on an empty stomach, half an hour before food. If this makes you feel unwell, you may take them with food instead.
What If You Miss a Dose?
Take Lipigem regularly at the same time each day. If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember, as long as it’s more than 6 hours before your next dose. If it’s less than 6 hours before your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the normal time.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- heartburn
- stomach pain
- feeling sick (nausea)
- vomiting
- skin rash
- constipation
- change in taste
- diarrhea
- tiredness
- dizziness
- headache
- depression
- decreased libido
- tingling in hands or feet
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- painful, weak or tender muscles
- signs of kidney disease (passing little or no urine)
- signs of anemia (tiredness, shortness of breath, looking pale)
- signs of frequent infections (fever, chills, sore throat, mouth ulcers)
- signs of liver disease (yellowing of skin and eyes, dark urine)
- swelling of face, lips, mouth, throat or neck causing difficulty swallowing/breathing
- temporary paralysis or muscle weakness
- very strong sudden pain in upper right abdomen
- recurrent painful attacks for hours after meals
- abdominal bloating (gallbladder inflammation)
Important Warnings
There are several important situations where you should not take Lipigem or need to discuss with your doctor first.
Who Should Not Take Lipigem
Don’t take Lipigem if you’re allergic to gemfibrozil or any ingredients; taking diabetes medicines like repaglinide or rosiglitazone; taking simvastatin for cholesterol; have severe liver or kidney disease; have gallstones or gallbladder disease; have experienced increased sun sensitivity while taking fibrate medicines; or if the packaging is damaged or past expiry date.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or dyes; liver or kidney problems; gallstones or gallbladder problems; diabetes; thyroid conditions; or muscle pain, tenderness or weakness from other cholesterol medicines.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Don’t take Lipigem if you’re pregnant, thinking of getting pregnant, or breastfeeding. Your baby may absorb this medicine in the womb or from breast milk, which could cause harm.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Lipigem or affect how well it works. You may need different amounts of your medicines or different medicines altogether.
- Blood thinning medicines like warfarin
- Other medicines for high triglycerides or cholesterol
- Diabetes medicines like repaglinide or rosiglitazone
- Gout medicines like colchicine
- Cancer treatment medicines like bexarotene
Alcohol & Driving
Be careful with alcohol consumption and driving while taking Lipigem, as it can affect you in different ways.
Alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Excessive alcohol can raise your cholesterol levels or affect your liver function, which could increase your chance of getting unwanted side effects. Your doctor may discuss whether you should reduce your alcohol intake.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Lipigem affects you. While it generally doesn’t cause problems with driving ability, it may cause dizziness in some people. If you feel dizzy, don’t drive or operate machinery.
Storage
Store your Lipigem tablets below 25°C in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat and sunlight. Keep them in the original bottle until it’s time to take them. Don’t store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep out of reach of children – a locked cupboard at least 1.5 meters off the ground is ideal.
Overdose Information
If you think you or anyone else has taken too much Lipigem, urgent medical attention may be needed. Immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (Australia 13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
You may need to take Lipigem for the rest of your life. It helps regulate your cholesterol and triglyceride levels but doesn’t cure your condition. Your doctor will do regular blood tests to check that the medicine is working and monitor your progress.
Lipigem tablets work best when taken on an empty stomach, half an hour before food, as this helps the medicine absorb faster into your body. However, if taking them on an empty stomach makes you feel unwell, you may take them with food instead.
No, Lipigem is not addictive.
If you stop taking Lipigem, your cholesterol and triglyceride levels may become abnormal again. You must continue taking it as directed by your doctor if you want to keep your levels controlled. Always speak to your doctor before deciding to stop taking your medicine.
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Excessive alcohol intake can raise your cholesterol levels or affect your liver function, which could increase your chance of getting unwanted side effects. Your doctor may discuss with you whether you should reduce the amount of alcohol you drink.
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember, as long as it’s more than 6 hours before your next dose. If it’s less than 6 hours before your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the normal time. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
Yes, you need to follow a low-fat diet while taking Lipigem, as the medicine doesn’t reduce cholesterol that comes from fat in food. Your doctor will help you with a diet plan, which may include measures to lose weight. Regular exercise can also help lower your cholesterol levels.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.