This section of the eMedTV archives explores Lopid, a prescription drug used to lower triglycerides and cholesterol. This page explains how Lopid can help prevent a stroke or heart attack and also covers Lopid uses, dosing, and side effects.
Common Lopid side effects include diarrhea, fatigue, and abdominal pain. This eMedTV Web page also lists side effects that you should report to your doctor immediately, such as unexplained rash or itching, and rare Lopid side effects like anemia.
As this eMedTV resource explains, there does not appear to be a link between Lopid and weight gain. However, there are several things that can help if you do experience weight gain while taking Lopid, such as regular exercise and a healthy diet.
Lopid effects on libido are rare but can include a decreased sex drive. As this eMedTV Web page explains, it is impossible for your doctor to know beforehand whether Lopid will affect your libido.
If you're taking Lopid and muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness occur, call your doctor right away. As this eMedTV page explains, these symptoms can signify rare but serious muscle problems known as myopathy and rhabdomyolysis.
If you're taking Lopid and liver problems like stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting occur, call your doctor. This eMedTV page discusses liver problems that some people may experience while taking Lopid and also lists people who should not take the drug.
As this eMedTV page explains, symptoms of depression (a rare Lopid side effect) include restlessness, irritability, and a persistent sad or "empty" mood. This page suggests visiting your doctor if you're taking Lopid and depression occurs.
This eMedTV page offers some remedies to try if you're taking Lopid and joint pain is a problem. This article lists a few over-the-counter pain-relief drugs like Tylenol and Advil and discusses ways of relieving joint pain by applying heat or cold.
The two main Lopid uses are treating high triglycerides and high cholesterol. This eMedTV segment explains how Lopid works and how it may help prevent other conditions like coronary heart disease.
This eMedTV page lists the starting dose of Lopid -- 600 mg twice a day. The maximum Lopid dosage is 1200 mg. This article also discusses a number of considerations with Lopid dosing, such as when to talk with your doctor about your dosage.
Warfarin, ezetimibe, and lovastatin are a few of the drugs that Lopid can potentially interact with. As this eMedTV page explains, some Lopid drug interactions can result in things like an increased risk of bleeding or kidney or muscle problems.
This eMedTV page covers Lopid precautions and warnings to be aware of and lists people who should not take Lopid (those with severe kidney or liver disease, for example). This page also lists conditions to tell your doctor about before taking Lopid.
Doctors may prescribe Lopid to pregnant women if its benefits outweigh the possible risk to the fetus. This eMedTV page explains that Lopid's effect on unborn children is unknown, since Lopid and pregnancy have been tested together only in animals.
This section of the eMedTV library offers an overview of generic Lopid, which is available through several companies as Gemfibrozil tablets 600 mg. The article also lists the main uses of Lopid and the companies that manufacture generic Lopid.
This eMedTV page gives an overview of Lopid alternatives, which include statins like Crestor and Lescol, bile acid sequestrants like WelChol, and cholesterol absorption inhibitors such as Zetia. This page also describes how these alternatives work.
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