Lipazil (Gemfibrozil 600mg) Tablets

Lipazil general information

What is Lipazil used for?

Lipazil tablets 600mg are used to treat dyslipidaemia, which is an imbalance in blood lipids, usually too much cholesterol or triglyceride.  Lipazil tablets 600mg lowers high levels of cholesterol (hypercholesterolaemia); also triglycerides, which are other fats in the blood (hypertriglyceridaemia), to reduce health risks associated with coronary heart disease (CHD), including heart attack and angina that can be caused by high cholesterol.  Lipazil tablets 600mg are also to treat dyslipidaemias caused by other conditions such as diabetes or thyroid disease.  Lipazil tablets 600mg are used to treat people with high cholesterol or triglycerides when diet and exercise alone does not adequately lower blood lipid levels.  There are usually no symptoms with high cholesterol, which may be due to lifestyle (high-fat diet and lack of exercise) or can be inherited.  

How does Lipazil work?

Lipazil tablets 600mg contains gemfibrozil, that belongs to the fibrate group of drugs, is a derivative of fibric acid and is used to lower high levels of blood cholesterol and triglycerides.  Cholesterol is needed by the body for many functions such as building cell membranes, producing certain hormones and transporting fat soluble vitamins around the body.  However, if there is more cholesterol than the body needs (hypercholesterolaemia), it becomes deposited in the artery walls where it can build up, blocking the arteries (atherosclerosis), and increasing risk of heart disease.  Triglycerides are the most common type of body fat stored in fat cells and are a major source of energy, but if you consume more fat than your body needs you will have too much triglyceride in your blood (hypertriglyceridaemia).  Fats are carried around in the blood attached to proteins called apoprotein.  These lipoproteins include low density lipoprotein (LDL) or “bad” cholesterol, which deposit fats and can cause arteries to become hardened and blocked.  High density lipoprotein (HDL) or “good” cholesterol pick up excess fats and this helps unblock hardened arteries.  Gemfibrozil in Lipazil tablets 600mg exerts its lipid-lowering effects by stimulating lipolysis, which is the breakdown of cholesterol and triglycerides by the enzyme lipoprotein lipase, and inhibiting synthesis of triglycerides in the liver.  Gemfibrozil in Lipazil tablets 600mg also reduces the production of apoprotein CIII, which carries LDL cholesterol in the blood and increases the production of apoproteins AI and AII, which carry HDL cholesterol in the blood.  The overall effect of gemfibrozil in Lipazil tablets 600mg is to lower triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol, and increase HDL cholesterol, which helps prevent atherosclerosis and reduces the risk of heart disease.   

What does Lipazil contain?

Lipazil tablets 600mg contains the active ingredient gemfibrozil, that belongs to the fibrate group of drugs, and is used to treat dyslipidemias to reduce high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides.  They also contain calcium stearate, colloidal silicon dioxide   , hyprolose, microcrystalline cellulose, opadry white y-1R-7000B, polysorbate 80, pregelatinised maize starch.

Treating dyslipidaemia with Lipazil

Lipazil tablets 600mg contain gemfibrozil that is used to treat dyslipidaemia, which is an imbalance in blood lipids, to reduce risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), including heart attack and angina that can be caused by high cholesterol. Cholesterol is needed by the body for many functions such as building cell membranes, producing certain hormones and transporting fat soluble vitamins around the body.  However, if there is more cholesterol than the body needs (hypercholesterolaemia), it becomes deposited in the artery walls where it can build up, blocking the arteries (atherosclerosis), and increasing risk of heart disease. Triglycerides are the most common type of body fat stored in fat cells and are a major source of energy, but if you consume more fat than your body needs you will have too much triglyceride in your blood (hypertriglyceridaemia). Gemfibrozil in Lipazil tablets 600mg exerts its lipid-lowering effects by activating the enzyme lipoprotein lipase which increases the breakdown of triglycerides; it also reduces the amount of low density lipoprotein (LDL) or “bad” cholesterol that can cause arteries to become hardened and blocked.  Gemfibrozil in Lipazil tablets 600mg also increases the amount of high density lipoprotein (HDL) or “good” cholesterol that helps unblock hardened arteries. The overall effect of Lipazil tablets 600mg is to lower triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol, and increase HDL cholesterol, which helps prevent atherosclerosis and reduces the risk of heart disease.   

What are the side effects of Lipazil?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Lipazil tablets 600mg include gastrointestinal disturbances (abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and flatulence), headache, fatigue, skin rash

When should Lipazil not be used?

You should not use Lipazil tablets 600mg if you:

• are allergic to gemfibrozil or any ingredients in Lipazil
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have kidney or liver disease
• have gall bladder or biliary tract disease, including gallstones or pancreatitis
• are taking medicines that interact with Lipazil including: anticoagulants like warfarin, other medications for high cholesterol like statins, the immunosuppressant cyclosporin

How should Lipazil be taken?

You should take your Lipazil tablets 600mg swallowed whole with a glass of water twice daily, morning and evening and 30 minutes before a meal.  You should continue to take your Lipazil tablets 600mg for as long as recommend by your doctor.

How long should you take Lipazil?

You should continue to take your Lipazil tablets 600mg for as long as recommend by your doctor.

Missed dose of Lipazil

If you miss a dose of Lipazil tablets 600mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Lipazil be stored?

You should store your Lipazil tablets 600mg below 25°C in a cool dry place.