Skip to main content

Gemfibrozil (Lopid), mechanism Of Action, Therapeutic Uses, Side Effects


Gemfibrozil (Lopid)
Mechanism Of Action:
Gemfibrozil (Lopid) stimulates the activity of peroxisome proliferating activating receptors (PPAR alpha), a class of nuclear receptor. Activation of these receptors alters the transcription of a number of genes involved in triglyceride metabolism including lipoprotein lipase and apolipoprotein CIII. This increases the peripheral catabolism (breakdown) of VLDL and chylomicrons, resulting in a reduction in the plasma concentration of VLDL, most notably in triglycerides, moreover, Gemfibrozil (Lopid) also reduce the synthesis of cholesterol, which further reduces plasma triglycerides.

Clinical and therapeutic uses:
a) Gemfibrozil (Lopid) can be used to treat hyperlipidemia of several etiologies, especially hypertriglyceridemia due to dysbetalipoproteinemia, a defect in apolipoprotein E that impairs clearance of chylomicron remnants and VLDL.
b) it is ineffective in primary chylomicronemia (caused by a deficiency in lipoprotein lipase).
c) it has antidiuretic action in individuals with mild to moderate diabetes insipidus
d) it is more effective than fenofibrate in some cases

Adverse effects:
1. cholelithiases
2. Cholecystitis
3. GI intolerance
4. Nausea
5. Diarrhoea
6. Myalgia
7. displace other albumin bound drugs esp. sulfonylureas and warfarin
8. should be used cautiously in hepatic and renal impairment.

Popular posts from this blog

Human Parasites, Types of Parasites, and Classification

Parasite: A parasite is a living organism which gets nutrition and protection from another organism where it lives. Parasites enter into the human body through mouth, skin and genitalia. In this article, we will generally discuss the types and classification of parasites. It is important from an academic point of view. Those parasites are harmful, which derives their nutrition and other benefits from the host and host get nothing in return but suffers from some injury. Types of Parasites Ecto-parasite: An ectoparasite lives outside on the surface of the body of the host. Endo-parasite: An endo-parasite lives inside the body of the host, it lives in the blood, tissues, body cavities, digestive tract or other organs. Temporary parasite: A temporary parasite visits its host for a short period of time. Permanent parasite: Permanent parasite lives its whole life in the host. Facultative parasite: A facultative parasite can live both independently and dependently. It lives in the...

How to taper off, wean off beta blocker, atenolol, Propranolol, Metoprolol

Beta blockers include, atenolol (Tenormin), propranolol (Inderal ) and metoprolol (Lopressor) and are used to treat high blood pressure, certain cardiac problems, migraine and few other conditions. People usually take atenolol, propranolol or metoprolol for many years as a treatment of high blood pressure or after having an episode of heart attack . Sometimes, it becomes necessary to withdraw these beta blockers due to their potential side effects that trouble the patients or sometimes doctor wants to change the drug and shift the patient to some other anti-hypertensive medicine. No matter whatever the cause is, whenever, a patient who has been using a beta blocker for a long period of time, and he needs to be stopped from further usage of that beta blocker, must not stop taking it. One should taper off the dose of a beta blocker. Now a question arises how to wean off or taper off a beta blocker? The method of tapering off beta blocker varies from individual to individual. Allow you...