Summary

Commonly reported side effects of gemfibrozil include: malignant neoplasm, pancreatitis, dyspepsia, and cholelithiasis. Other side effects include: abdominal pain. Continue reading for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.

Applies to gemfibrozil: oral tablets.

Side effects include:

GI disturbances (e.g., dyspepsia, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, constipation, acute appendicitis, gallbladder surgery), adverse CNS effects (headache, hypesthesia, paresthesias, dizziness, somnolence, peripheral neuritis, depression), fatigue, eczema, vertigo, taste perversion, blurred vision, decreased libido, impotence.

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to gemfibrozil: compounding powder, oral tablet.

General

The most frequently reported side effects were gastrointestinal reactions and included dyspepsia, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, acute appendicitis, constipation, and flatulence.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Very common (10% or more): Dyspepsia (19.6%)

Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal pain, acute appendicitis, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, constipation, flatulence

Rare (less than 0.1%): Pancreatitis

Frequency not reported: Colitis^[Ref]

Nervous system

Common (1% to 10%): Headache

Rare (less than 0.1%): Peripheral neuropathy, paresthesia, dizziness, somnolence

Frequency not reported: Peripheral neuritis, convulsions, syncope, hyperesthesia, taste perversion, intracerebral hemorrhage^[Ref]

Hepatic

Rare (less than 0.1%): Hepatitis, cholestatic jaundice, cholelithiasis, cholecystitis, hepatic function abnormal

Frequency not reported: ALT increased, AST increased, bilirubin increased, alkaline phosphatase increased^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Atrial fibrillation

Frequency not reported: Extrasystoles, vasculitis, peripheral vascular disease^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Common (1% to 10%): Eczema, rash

Rare (less than 0.1%): Angioedema, urticaria, exfoliative dermatitis, dermatitis, pruritus, alopecia, photosensitivity reaction^[Ref]

Other

Common (1% to 10%): Fatigue, vertigo

Rare (less than 0.1%): Creatine phosphokinase increased

Frequency not reported: Weight loss, viral infections, bacterial infections^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Rare (less than 0.1%): Myopathy, myalgia, painful extremities, arthralgia, synovitis, rhabdomyolysis, myositis, muscular weakness

Frequency not reported: Lupus-like syndrome, myasthenia^[Ref]

Hematologic

Rare (less than 0.1%): Bone marrow failure, severe anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, eosinophilia, hemoglobin decreased, hematocrit decreased, WBC decreased

Frequency not reported: Anemia, bone marrow hypoplasia^[Ref]

Ocular

Rare (less than 0.1%): Blurred vision

Frequency not reported: Retinal edema, cataracts^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Rare (less than 0.1%): Erectile dysfunction

Frequency not reported: Impotence, male fertility decreased^[Ref]

Psychiatric

Rare (less than 0.1%): Libido decreased, depression

Frequency not reported: Confusion^[Ref]

Respiratory

Rare (less than 0.1%): Laryngeal edema^[Ref]

Renal

Frequency not reported: Renal dysfunction, renal failure^[Ref]

Oncologic

Frequency not reported: Hepatoma^[Ref]

Immunologic

Frequency not reported: Positive antinuclear antibody, anaphylaxis^[Ref]