Gemfibrozil Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jul 16, 2024.

Applies to gemfibrozil: oral tablet.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly to lower your cholesterol and triglyceride (fat) levels and to decide if you should continue to take it. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Do not use this medicine together with dasabuvir, repaglinide, or simvastatin. Using these medicines together may cause serious unwanted effects.

This medicine may increase your risk of having gallstones. Check with your doctor right away if you have severe stomach pain with nausea and vomiting.

Check with your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if you also have unusual tiredness or a fever. These could be symptoms of a serious muscle problem called myopathy.

Check with your doctor right away if you have dark-colored urine, diarrhea, a fever, muscle cramps or spasms, muscle pain or stiffness, or feel very tired or weak. These could be symptoms of a serious muscle problem called rhabdomyolysis, which can cause kidney problems.

Do not Stop taking gemfibrozil without first checking with your doctor. When you Stop taking gemfibrozil, your blood cholesterol levels may increase again. Your doctor may want you to follow a special diet to help prevent this from happening.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Serious side effects of gemfibrozil

Along with its needed effects, gemfibrozil may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking gemfibrozil:

Other side effects of gemfibrozil

Some side effects of gemfibrozil may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to gemfibrozil: compounding powder, oral tablet.

General adverse events

The most frequently reported side effects were gastrointestinal reactions and included dyspepsia, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, acute appendicitis, constipation, and flatulence.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Dyspepsia (19.6%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal pain, acute appendicitis, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, constipation, flatulence
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Pancreatitis
• Frequency not reported: Colitis^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Headache
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Peripheral neuropathy, paresthesia, dizziness, somnolence
• Frequency not reported: Peripheral neuritis, convulsions, syncope, hyperesthesia, taste perversion, intracerebral hemorrhage^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Hepatitis, cholestatic jaundice, cholelithiasis, cholecystitis, hepatic function abnormal
• Frequency not reported: ALT increased, AST increased, bilirubin increased, alkaline phosphatase increased^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Atrial fibrillation
• Frequency not reported: Extrasystoles, vasculitis, peripheral vascular disease^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Eczema, rash
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Angioedema, urticaria, exfoliative dermatitis, dermatitis, pruritus, alopecia, photosensitivity reaction^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Fatigue, vertigo
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Creatine phosphokinase increased
• Frequency not reported: Weight loss, viral infections, bacterial infections^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Myopathy, myalgia, painful extremities, arthralgia, synovitis, rhabdomyolysis, myositis, muscular weakness
• Frequency not reported: Lupus-like syndrome, myasthenia^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Bone marrow failure, severe anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, eosinophilia, hemoglobin decreased, hematocrit decreased, WBC decreased
• Frequency not reported: Anemia, bone marrow hypoplasia^[Ref]

Ocular

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Blurred vision
• Frequency not reported: Retinal edema, cataracts^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Erectile dysfunction
• Frequency not reported: Impotence, male fertility decreased^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Libido decreased, depression
• Frequency not reported: Confusion^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Laryngeal edema^[Ref]

Renal

• Frequency not reported: Renal dysfunction, renal failure^[Ref]

Oncologic

• Frequency not reported: Hepatoma^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Frequency not reported: Positive antinuclear antibody, anaphylaxis^[Ref]

See also:

Further information

Gemfibrozil side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer