Gemfibrozil (Page 4 of 5)
ADVERSE REACTIONS
In the double-blind controlled phase of the primary prevention component of the Helsinki Heart Study, 2046 patients received gemfibrozil for up to five years. In that study, the following adverse reactions were statistically more frequent in subjects in the gemfibrozil group:
GEMFIBROZIL ( N = 2046 ) | PLACEBO ( N = 2035 ) | |
Frequency in percent of subjects | ||
Gastrointestinal reactions | 34.2 | 23.8 |
Dyspepsia | 19.6 | 11.9 |
Abdominal pain | 9.8 | 5.6 |
Acute appendicitis (histologically confirmed in most cases where data were available) | 1.2 | 0.6 |
Atrial fibrillation | 0.7 | 0.1 |
Adverse events reported by more than 1% of subjects, but without a significant difference between groups: | ||
Diarrhea | 7.2 | 6.5 |
Fatigue | 3.8 | 3.5 |
Nausea/Vomiting | 2.5 | 2.1 |
Eczema | 1.9 | 1.2 |
Rash | 1.7 | 1.3 |
Vertigo | 1.5 | 1.3 |
Constipation | 1.4 | 1.3 |
Headache | 1.2 | 1.1 |
Gallbladder surgery was performed in 0.9% of gemfibrozil and 0.5% of placebo subjects in the primary prevention component, a 64% excess, which is not statistically different from the excess of gallbladder surgery observed in the clofibrate group compared to the placebo group of the WHO study. Gallbladder surgery was also performed more frequently in the gemfibrozil group compared to the placebo group (1.9% versus 0.3%, p=0.07) in the secondary prevention component. A statistically significant increase in appendectomy in the gemfibrozil group was seen also in the secondary prevention component (6 on gemfibrozil versus 0 on placebo, p=0.014).
Nervous system and special senses adverse reactions were more common in the gemfibrozil group. These included hypesthesia, paresthesias, and taste perversion. Other adverse reactions that were more common among gemfibrozil treatment group subjects but where a causal relationship was not established include cataracts, peripheral vascular disease, and intracerebral hemorrhage.
From other studies it seems probable that gemfibrozil is causally related to the occurrence of MUSCULOSKELETAL SYMPTOMS (see WARNINGS), and to ABNORMAL LIVER FUNCTION TESTS and HEMATOLOGIC CHANGES (see PRECAUTIONS).
Reports of viral and bacterial infections (common cold, cough, urinary tract infections) were more common in gemfibrozil treated patients in other controlled clinical trials of 805 patients. Additional adverse reactions that have been reported for gemfibrozil tablets are listed below by system. These are categorized according to whether a causal relationship to treatment with gemfibrozil tablets is probable or not established:
CAUSAL RELATIONSHIP PROBABLE | CAUSAL RELATIONSHIP NOT ESTABLISHED | |
General: | weight loss | |
Cardiac: | extrasystoles | |
Gastrointestinal: | cholestatic jaundice | pancreatitishepatomacolitis |
Central Nervous System: | dizzinesssomnolenceparesthesiaperipheral neuritisdecreased libidodepressiondepressionheadache | confusionconvulsionssyncope |
Eye: | blurred vision | retinal edema |
Genitourinary: | impotence | decreased male fertilityrenal dysfunction |
Musculoskeletal: | myopathy myasthenia myalgia painful extremities arthralgia synovitis rhabdomyolysis (see WARNINGS and Drug Interactions under PRECAUTIONS) | |
Clinical Laboratory: | increased creatinephosphokinaseincreased bilirubinincreased liver transaminases(AST, ALT)increased alkaline phosphatase | positive antinuclearantibody |
Hematopoietic: | anemialeukopeniabone marrow hypoplasiaeosinophilia | thrombocytopenia |
Immunologic: | angioedemalaryngeal edemaurticaria | anaphylaxisLupus-like syndromevasculitis |
Integumentary: | exfoliative dermatitisrashdermatitispruritus | alopeciaphotosensitivity |
Additional adverse reactions that have been reported include cholecystitis and cholelithiasis (see WARNINGS).
To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Viona Pharmaceuticals Inc. at 1-888-304-5011 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
The recommended dose for adults is 1200 mg administered in two divided doses 30 minutes before the morning and evening meals (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY).
OVERDOSAGE
There have been reported cases of overdosage with gemfibrozil tablets. In one case, a 7-year-old child recovered after ingesting up to 9 grams of gemfibrozil tablets. Symptoms reported with overdosage were abdominal cramps, abnormal liver function tests, diarrhea, increased CPK, joint and muscle pain, nausea and vomiting. Symptomatic supportive measures should be taken, should an overdose occur.
HOW SUPPLIED
Gemfibrozil Tablets USP, 600 mg are white to off white colored, oval shaped, film coated tablets, debossed with “553” on one side and separating “5” & “53” with break line and plain on other side and are supplied as follows:
NDC 72578-066-06 in bottles of 30 tablets
NDC 72578-066-14 in bottles of 60 tablets
NDC 72578-066-16 in bottles of 90 tablets
NDC 72578-066-01 in bottles of 100 tablets
NDC 72578-066-05 in bottles of 500 tablets
NDC 72578-066-10 in bottles of 1,000 tablets
NDC 72578-066-77 in unit-dose blister cartons of 100 (10 x 10) unit-dose tablets
Storage
Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F) [See USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Protect from light and humidity.
Dispense in a tight, light-resistant container (USP).
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Manufactured by:
Zydus Lifesciences Ltd.,
Ahmedabad, India
Distributed by:
Viona Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Cranford, NJ 07016
Rev.: 01/23
All MedLibrary.org resources are included in as near-original form as possible, meaning that the information from the original provider has been rendered here with only typographical or stylistic modifications and not with any substantive alterations of content, meaning or intent.