Discussion of diabetes management in day to day life

Question about Lopid

I was put on Lopid (I actually got a generic called gemfibrozil, I assume
it is the same) last year after being diagnosed with an extremely high
triglyceride problem.  I was informed by my physician today that my HDL
was too low.  I had read somewhere that this was a side effect of Lopid.
My physician disagrees and says that this drug is one of the few that
preserves (fairly well) the HDL level.  Can anybody tell me what the story
is?…I know that I read the info that came with the drug and this is
where I may have read about this lowering effect.  

Dan, type II

Comments (4)




4 Responses to “Question about Lopid”

  1. admin says:

    >I had read somewhere that this was a side effect of Lopid.  
    >My physician disagrees and says that this drug is one of the few that
    >preserves (fairly well) the HDL level.

    >Dan, type II

    Dan,

    Just checked "The Pill Book" and it agrees with your doctor.  In some cases
    it may reduce levels of cholesterol.  Odd, I have been taking it for years
    and thought it was for cholesterol.<G>  Live and learn.

    –Ray B.

  2. admin says:

    In article <9502241922591.DLITE.rbow…@delphi.com>, rbow…@delphi.com (Ray
    Bowler) writes: > >I had read somewhere that this was a side effect of Lopid.  

     > >My physician disagrees and says that this drug is one of the few that

    > >preserves (fairly well) the HDL level.

    > >Dan, type II

    > Dan,

    > Just checked "The Pill Book" and it agrees with your doctor.  In some cases
    > it may reduce levels of cholesterol.  Odd, I have been taking it for years
    > and thought it was for cholesterol.<G>  Live and learn.

    I think that Lopid (Gemfibrozil) is (often) used as a primary treatment
    to reduce triglycerides; as a secondary affect it often will cause a small
    reduction in cholesterol and LDL.  At least that’s my understanding,
    and I researched it some prior to taking it.  <G>

    Ted Rodrick

  3. admin says:

    In article <9502240135591.The_Win-D.trodr…@delphi.com> trodr…@delphi.com (Ted Rodrick) writes:
    >From: trodr…@delphi.com (Ted Rodrick)
    >Subject: Information on Prescription Medicines
    >Date: 24 Feb 1995 06:45:01 GMT
    >In article <3ihds6$…@newsbf02.news.aol.com>, dit…@aol.com (Ditdot) writes:
    >> Does anyone know of a database that can be accessed to find out
    >> information on different prescription medicines?

    (snip)

    >I’m not aware of one available online (at least without being charged
    >for searches).  There are, of course, numerous commercial packages that
    >can be purchased and installed on your system (either hard drive or
    >CD ROM) that have a sizable database of presecription drugs … e.g.
    >Parson’s Technology’s "Medical Matters," and Softkey International’s
    >"PharmAssist" programs.  Of course, these programs will become obsolete
    >over time, unless they are upgraded periodically (quarterly or annually).

    Also, the PDR (Physician’s Desk Reference) is available.  One can input all
    the meds currently ingested, and the database will report possible conflicts
    and side effects.

    eg, I learned that two Rx’s I’m taking for conditions other than diabetes DO
    have side effect of elevating BG’s — and I reported this to my endo.  He was
    NOT impressed and seemed rather aggravated that I was doing independent
    research.  Commented that EVERYTHING has some side effect.

    (so much for my initiatives!)  But at least I know — and am on record as
    knowing!

  4. admin says:

    In article <9502240135591.The_Win-D.trodr…@delphi.com>, trodr…@delphi.com (Ted Rodrick) writes:
    > In article <3ihds6$…@newsbf02.news.aol.com>, dit…@aol.com (Ditdot) writes:

    >> Does anyone know of a database that can be accessed to find out
    >> information on different prescription medicines? (Such as glucotrol or
    >> other meds.) I know Compuserve users can find a database like that.
    >> Anything I have found has been very general. I want specific information.
    >> Please email info.
    >> Thanks…..Dot

    I am not aware of commercial on-line services with this information,
    but you should be able to look up this info in a library.  Look
    for the Physician’s Desk Reference (PDR).  It is updated yearly
    and contains information on how the medicine is supplied, usual
    dosage, what it is used for, side effects, overdose procedures,
    effects in animal models and information for patients.  Do not
    use this information to diagnose yourself, use it to find out more
    about the medicine perscribed.  Do not be alarmed about the adverse
    effects section; any effect ever, even 1 in 10,000,000 must be reported.
    Put the information in perspective by looking at the percentage of
    the population (cohort) that it occurred in.

    Laura Clift

    Cli…@aa.wl.com

    I do not represent my employer here.

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