Lopid: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use it

Use

What is lopid used for?

Lopid is a brand of oral medicine in the form of tablets. Each lopid tablet contains 600 milligrams (mg) of gemfibrozil as its main active ingredient. This drug belongs to the fibrate class of drugs, which are medicines that work by reducing the amount of fat that is formed in the liver.

This drug is mainly used to reduce bad cholesterol and increase the level of good cholesterol (HDL) in the body. In addition, this drug is also used to lower triglyceride fat levels, especially in people who have a high triglyceride content in the blood. If the triglyceride level decreases, the risk of developing inflammation of the pancreas or what can be called pancreatitis is reduced.

However, consuming lopid does not mean you are free from the risk of having a heart attack and stroke. As a cholesterol-lowering drug, this drug is included in the class of prescription drugs, so you shouldn't buy this drug over the counter without a doctor's prescription.

How to use lopid?

To get the maximum benefit from using the drug, you should use lopid according to the procedure for using it, namely:

• Use this medication as the doctor writes on the prescription note. This medicine is only used by mouth. Usually, lopid is taken twice a day, which is 30 minutes before breakfast and dinner.
• The dose of this drug will be given by your doctor based on your health condition and how your body responds to drug use.
• If you are also taking other drugs that are used to lower cholesterol levels, use this medication at least one hour before or 4-6 hours after using these other drugs.
• To feel the benefits of using drugs, you also have to adjust your diet, exercise, lose weight for those who are overweight, and reduce the use of alcohol and cigarettes.
• Use this remedy every day at the same time. Regular use of drugs can help you feel the benefits overall. Usually, this drug will really work on your condition for at least three months of use.
• Get regular blood tests if you are taking this medicine to check the condition of your liver and kidneys.

How do I store lopid?

As with other medicines, lopid must also be stored with proper drug storage procedures, including:

• This drug should be stored in a place at room temperature.
• Do not store this medication in places that are too cold or too hot or humid.
• Keep this medication away from exposure to sunlight or direct light.
• Do not allow children and pets to reach this medicine.
• Do not store this medication in the bathroom or freeze it in the freezer.
• This drug is a brand of the drug gemfibrozil. It is possible that the drug gemfibrozil that is sold under other brands has different drug storage rules.

If this medicine has expired or you no longer use it, you should throw it away. However, dispose of the drug in a proper and safe way so that it does not pollute the environment. Do not flush this medication through the toilet or sewer by flushing the medication into it. Do not also mix it with ordinary household waste.

If you are not sure how to dispose of the correct medicine, ask your pharmacist or a local waste disposal authority for more information.

Dose

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dose of lopid for adults?

The recommended dose for adults is 1200 milligrams (mg) per day divided into two separate doses, namely 30 minutes before breakfast and 30 minutes before dinner.

What is the dose of lopid for children?

The dosage for use of this drug for children has not been determined. Talk to your doctor first if you want to use lopid in children.

In what dosage is lopid available?

Lopid is available in tablet form, 600 milligrams of gemfibrozil.

Side effects

What are the possible side effects of using lopid?

Using this drug also has a risk of side effects, both mild and serious side effects. Serious side effects may rarely occur, but if you experience them, you should contact your doctor immediately. These side effects include:

• Acute abdominal pain in the upper abdominal area, especially those that occur after eating
• Yellow eyes and skin
• Urinating hurts
• Blurred vision and sore eyes
• Your skin is pale, and you can easily experience bruising and bleeding for no reason
• Shortness of breath and heart beat very fast

In addition, there are also side effects that are quite mild, although they are more common, such as:

• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Numb
• Blurred eyesight
• Muscles and joints ache
• Loss of desire for sexual activity

These mild side effects usually go away on their own as your body adapts to the medication. But if your condition does not improve or if it gets worse, contact your doctor.

Warnings & Precautions

What should be known before using lopid?

Before using this drug, it doesn't hurt if you know a few things about lopid, including:

• Tell your doctor if you have an allergy to lopid or its main active ingredient, gemfibrozil.
• Also tell your doctor if you have any other allergies to drugs, food, preservatives and dyes, or even allergies to animals.
• Tell your doctor if you have a history of illness related to disorders of the liver, gall bladder, kidneys, or alcoholism.
• If you are going to undergo a surgical procedure, tell the doctor who intends to perform the operation, both a specialist and a dentist, if you are currently using this medicine.
• Tell your doctor about any medicines you have been using or are currently using, from prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs, multivitamins, to herbal products.
• Do not start, stop, or change the dose of medication without your doctor's knowledge.
• If you are 65 years of age or older, use this medicine with caution because you are more likely to experience the risk of side effects.
• Tell your doctor if you plan to become pregnant, are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Is lopid safe to use for pregnant and lactating women?

It is still not certain whether this drug is safe for use by pregnant women. However, you should first discuss with your doctor about the use of this drug, if you are pregnant or are planning it.

Even so, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the equivalent of the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) in Indonesia, includes lopid as a pregnancy risk category C.The following references to pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = No risk,
• B = not at risk in several studies,
• C = May be risky,
• D = There is positive evidence of risk,
• X = Contraindicated,
• N = Unknown

This drug is also not certain whether it can come out of breast milk (ASI) or not if the mother who is breastfeeding takes this drug. However, if this drug is accidentally consumed by a breastfeeding baby, the baby has the potential to experience tumorigenesis or the process of cancer formation in the body.

Interaction

What medicines can interact with lopid?

Medicines that are used at the same time may experience interactions in the body. Unfortunately, not all interactions that occur are good for the body. In fact, drug interactions may increase the risk of side effects from each drug or change the way one drug works in the body.

Even so, there are interactions that are the best form of treatment for your health condition. Of the many drugs that can interact with lopid, here are the types of drugs that most often interact, including:

• Aspirin
• Atenolol
• Crestor (rosuvastatin)
• Cymbalta (duloxetine)
• Gabap is important
• Gemfibrozil
• Lasix (furosemide)
• Lipitor (atorvastatin)
• Lisinopril
• Metformin
• Neurontin (gabapentin)
• Nexium (esomeprazole)
• Norvasc (amlodipine)
• Omeprazole
• Plavix (clopidogrel)
• Pravastatin
• Prilosec (omeprazole)
• Protonox (pantoprazole)
• Simvastatin
• Synthroid (levothryoxine)
• Vitamin D3
• Warfarin
• Xanax (alprazolam)
• Zocor (simvastatin)

What foods and alcohol can interact with lopid?

This drug may also interact with certain foods and drinks. Therefore, this drug should not be taken at the same time as these foods or drinks because it can cause interactions. The interactions that occur are not necessarily good for your body's health. Consult your doctor first to find out what foods and drinks should not be consumed together with lopid. While taking this drug, you should avoid using alcohol and cigarettes or other products derived from tobacco.

What health conditions can interact with lopid?

There are several health conditions that can also interact with lopid. You may also have this health condition. Therefore, always discuss with your doctor about possible interactions between this drug and the various health problems you have. The diseases below can interact with this drug, namely:

• Biliary cirrhosis, which is a condition in which blockages occur in the bile ducts. This blockage causes inflammation of the liver.
• Cholelithiasis, also known as gallstones
• Levels of good cholesterol (HDL) in the body
• Rhabdomyolysis, namely muscle damage
• Liver disorders
• Malfunctioning kidneys
• Blood disorders in the body

If you have a history of the disease, tell your doctor to make sure it is safe for you to use this medicine.

Overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

To get maximum benefit, you shouldn't skip doses of drug use. However, this may be difficult to avoid. If you do miss a dose by mistake, take the missed dose immediately. However, if the time has indicated the next dose, skip the missed dose and keep taking the medication according to the usual schedule. Don't double the dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.