Gemfibrozil User Reviews & Ratings

Brand names: Lopid

Gemfibrozil has an average rating of 6.1 out of 10 from a total of 27 reviews on Drugs.com. 52% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 37% reported a negative experience.

Condition	Avg. Rating	Reviews	Compare
High Cholesterol	6.0	24 reviews for High Cholesterol	56 medications
Hyperlipoproteinemia	5.5	2 reviews for Hyperlipoproteinemia	47 medications

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Reviews for Gemfibrozil

Tri...
October 30, 2009

Gemfibrozil for High Cholesterol "I've been taking Lopid for almost a year now and have had great results. My triglycerides have dropped dramatically and my overall health has improved. I would have given this a 10 rating, but I do have one problem with this medication. It can be difficult to remember to take Lopid 30 minutes before meals. A small adjustment as far as I'm concerned, though."

9 / 10

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99 Report

Bre...
Taken for 6 months to 1 year
June 6, 2019

Gemfibrozil for High Cholesterol "I have been given this Lopid by doctors due to my triglycerides. For years, I have taken fish oil, statins, niacin, and all had side effects. But the statins were the worst, which was body aches. I was 500 triglyceride, and I started taking fiber pills, and it dropped 100 pts. Then a doctor prescribed fibrate 2x a day, and I took them 1 time a day and went from 319 to 133!"

10 / 10

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47 Report

ilu...
April 28, 2010

Gemfibrozil for High Cholesterol "I have been taking Lopid for quite a few years. My cholesterol and triglycerides are very high to the point of being hospitalized! Do not forget to take this medication as it will catch up with you after three days. It is very painful! I will not forget to take it x 2 a day. It was up to 3000... and I was put in the intensive care unit. My nationality is Hispanic and my favorite food is all the good greasy tacos which I don't have anymore....so now I eat rabbit food and I am still alive."

8 / 10

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78 Report

Con...
Taken for 1 to 6 months
January 2, 2013

For High Cholesterol "After a life insurance exam, I was told my A1C levels were 6.1, equivalent to borderline diabetes. I reported this to my primary physician, and she and I both just couldn't believe it, especially since my glucose levels were always well within range. She added this test to my cholesterol blood screening and though it didn't come back as high, it was still 5.9. Bottom line, my cholesterol was creating a new problem: borderline type 2 diabetes. I started on Trilipix and within 7 days had a terrible reaction to it, so I switched to Gemfibrozil. My HDL went from 65 to 83 (WOW), triglycerides from 142 to 62 (WOW AGAIN), and my LDL from 142 to 113. My A1C is now 5.7, which is good. My only complaint is remembering to take it 30 minutes prior to 2 meals a day."

9 / 10

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66 Report

Boa...
July 5, 2016

Gemfibrozil for High Cholesterol "Battled high triglycerides for nearly a decade (400-600 levels). Altered diet (slightly) and was on 1000 mg of Niaspan for at least six years. Not much impact. Last year, I started on Lopid. Fairly religious about taking 30 minutes before every meal. First test after being on Lopid for 2 months, my triglycerides dropped to 88! I was stunned. I've remained on the medicine, but didn't worry about my diet, other than maintaining my weight level. Second results came back at 93! I realize Lopid doesn't work for everyone. But for me, it's a HUGE difference over Niaspan - and without the potential long-term side effects."

10 / 10

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39 Report

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Whi...
Taken for less than 1 month
April 20, 2017

For High Cholesterol "I was recently put on Gemfibrozil - 300 x 2 dosage. After 5 days, I became extremely irritable, cranky, hateful... NOT my nature. I felt like I could crawl out of my skin - almost like pins and needles. Achy. Throbbing headache. Hissing noise in head. Anxiety. Jumpy. Tried to rest, but uncomfortable. Poor hubby took the brunt of my awfulness. I skipped the night dose, and by morning, I was tired, a bit dizzy, feeling impatient - but not flying off the handle. Headache was minimal but notable."

1 / 10

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31 Report

Gan...
Taken for 1 to 6 months
August 21, 2018

For High Cholesterol "This medication has really helped me. I was hospitalized with severe pancreatitis and placed in ICU as my body stopped creating insulin. My triglycerides were 7,700 and lipase of 4,000. The radiating pain ranked up there with childbirth. Gemfibrozil brought my triglycerides down to 130. My 2 complaints are headaches daily and fatigue. I will deal with it if it means my 'numbers' stay down. I truly feel the benefits outweigh the side effects. Hope this helps someone."

7 / 10

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26 Report

Tru...
March 7, 2015

For High Cholesterol "I should be in a medical journal compared to some of the other triglyceride levels I read on here. I had a staggering 8000 triglyceride level, and my pancreas was inflamed, and my A1C was 12. I spent 11 days in the hospital, and a month later my triglycerides are at 80, my estimated A1C level is 5.6. I have been off insulin for 4 weeks, and I did that 2 weeks after I got out of the hospital. Gemfibrozil did the job, but like the insulin, I'm taking myself off Gemfibrozil because there are way too many side effects, and I'm experiencing dizziness pretty much all day. A proper diet and exercise have helped me conquer these medical conditions. Hopefully, everyone on here can do the same."

9 / 10

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37 Report

Car...
August 21, 2015

For High Cholesterol "This medicine almost killed me. I experienced stomach problems, numbness in both hands and both feet, extreme tiredness, stiff neck, general body pain, water retention that deformed my eyes and the size of my face. It was horrible! I discontinued the medication, and symptoms went away. This medicine should be removed from stores, it is poison."

1 / 10

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31 Report

Dom...
Taken for 1 to 6 months
March 13, 2018

For High Cholesterol "This drug worked wonders! Very few side effects, except some joint aches and heartburn in the first few weeks. My triglycerides were 480, and in two months they were 109. Diet, exercise, and gemfibrozil 600 mg did it for me! I also took niacin, fish oils, and drank green juice I blended myself."

10 / 10

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20 Report

Mr ...
Taken for less than 1 month
September 22, 2015

For High Cholesterol "This is an evil drug. Stay away from it. There are far better medications than this. The drug ravaged my body. I'm diabetic. My pancreas had been quiet for about two years before this drug. Within a week of taking it, I had a flare-up. My kidneys started hurting, my heart hurt, and my chest constricted. I've been off it for about a week and the symptoms remain. This drug has wrecked my life. I'm hoping over time I'll be back to myself before this drug."

2 / 10

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28 Report

Wol...
Taken for less than 1 month
August 8, 2020

For High Cholesterol "I've only been on gemfibrozil for 5 days now, and I hate it. I've been getting small headaches, extreme fatigue to the point I have to lay down and take a nap, dizzy spells when I get up too fast, excessive sweating at night. I already have fibromyalgia, and it's been causing me pain all over my body like I'm in a flare-up. Bad muscle spasms in my lower back. I'm not happy, I understand I need to get my numbers down, but I can't handle all these side effects."

1 / 10

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13 Report

Anonymous
October 15, 2011

For High Cholesterol "It's worked great for me, but since you're supposed to take it with food, I often forget, and since the bottle is so huge, I don't carry it around outside of my house and often miss opportunities to take it."

9 / 10

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27 Report

lil...
Taken for 1 to 6 months
August 30, 2018

Gemfibrozil for High Cholesterol "I have been on Lopid for 3 months to treat high cholesterol and triglycerides. We have no idea why my levels are so high. After the 3 months was up, I did my blood work and just got it back yesterday. Every single cholesterol level that was checked skyrocketed even higher. I am quite disappointed because my total level wasn't too far into the red before starting it. In 3 months' time, my total level jumped 30 points, HDL only went up by 3 points and it is still dangerously low, triglycerides went down by 20 points, LDL went up by 40 points, and my non-HDL went up by 35 points and now almost as high as the graph will go. Definitely only made things much worse for me."

1 / 10

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15 Report

Vir...
Taken for less than 1 month
August 13, 2020

For Hyperlipoproteinemia "I have a high lipid level, and my doctor prescribed me this drug, gemfibrozil. First day of use, it gave me severe heartburn that I had to reach for my PPI again to neutralize my stomach acid, it was very painful. And now, in 4 days of use, my heart, stomach, and chest started to ache like crazy, and I'm having trouble breathing as if something was blocking my throat. Moreover, every time I ate a meal, my stomach started to belch, and it felt like my insides were gonna burst out at any moment. This drug is making me worse rather than it is curing me. Stay away from this stupid drug."

1 / 10

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10 Report

Ari...
Taken for 5 to 10 years
April 12, 2025

"I tried most of the statins but couldn't tolerate them. Switched to generic gemfibrozil several years ago, particularly for high triglycerides (4000). Brought them down to normal range quickly. Can't recall any particular bad symptoms, not caused by getting old and eating poorly. Now 77 and going for 100."

10 / 10

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0 Report

Sta...
October 15, 2009

Gemfibrozil for High Cholesterol "My doctor prescribed Lopid after my triglyceride levels were out of control. I feel great! No side effects and with Lopid and fish oil, they are much better. From 1900 a year ago to 160."

10 / 10

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79 Report

jpo...
October 28, 2008

For High Cholesterol "This drug has lowered my triglyceride level from 550 to 49 in 4 weeks. My cholesterol level dropped from 181 to 98. Even my doctor was shocked. I also changed my diet."

10 / 10

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54 Report

Anonymous
April 7, 2009

For High Cholesterol "My triglyceride level was 1,317 and in one year dropped to 238."

7 / 10

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38 Report

gab...
Taken for less than 1 month
June 7, 2020

For High Cholesterol "I started Lopid 2 days ago, and I am experiencing muscle pain, lower back pain, and problems urinating. Anyone experiencing the same side effects?"

6 / 10

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10 Report

JM2...
June 23, 2017

For High Cholesterol "Doctor switched me from Lovastatin to Atorvastatin and later added Gemfibrozil. My numbers are now, in my doctor's words, 'amazing.' No side effects."

10 / 10

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14 Report

Hus...
September 28, 2016

For High Cholesterol "My wife started to take this about a month ago, and she had to stop it because she started having stomach pain. Now she is having to have her gallbladder removed because of this medicine!"

1 / 10

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20 Report

Anonymous
October 2, 2009

For High Cholesterol "This gave me severe diarrhea."

1 / 10

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23 Report

men...
Taken for 1 to 6 months
September 5, 2018

For High Cholesterol "My body feels achy and painful. Could this medication be the cause?"

3 / 10

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10 Report

bra...
August 17, 2014

For High Cholesterol "Eye pain, stomach upset, anger, dizziness."

1 / 10

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14 Report

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