High Triglycerides
High levels of
triglycerides (the fat-like substances in the body) in the blood can have many negative effects on the body. They can accumulate on the walls of arteries, which decreases the blood flow and oxygen supply to the heart, brain, and other parts of your body. Hypertriglyceridemia can also increase a person's risk of developing
heart disease,
angina, a
heart attack, and
stroke.
Very high levels of this fat-like substance can produce a condition known as
pancreatitis (inflammation of the
pancreas). Pancreatitis can be very painful, and sometimes it can cause serious health problems.
Gemfibrozil has been licensed for the treatment of
high triglycerides -- and it should be used in addition to diet and exercise. It works by increasing the breakdown and removal of these fat-like substances so there will be less of them in the body.
Gemfibrozil can actually cause an increase in
LDL cholesterol (
bad cholesterol) for people with very high levels of triglycerides (greater than 400 mg/dL). Therefore, people who have this condition in addition to high LDL
cholesterol levels should use gemfibrozil with extreme caution or not at all.
Low HDL Cholesterol
High density lipoprotein, or
HDL for short, is a substance found within the body that is used to transport cholesterol. HDL is also referred to as HDL cholesterol or "
good cholesterol." This type of cholesterol has a protective effect and actually helps get rid of excess cholesterol that might accumulate on the walls of arteries.
Gemfibrozil has been licensed as a second-line treatment to reduce a person's risk of developing coronary
heart disease if he or she has low HDL
cholesterol levels in addition to elevated LDL cholesterol and elevated triglycerides. It should be used in these patients only after they have tried to lower their cholesterol with diet, exercise, and other cholesterol-lowering medications.
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