Lopid

Lopid helps lower cholesterol and triglycerides (fatty acids) in the blood. High levels of these fats in the blood are linked to a higher risk of atherosclerosis (clogged arteries).

Lopid is used along with a diet to treat very high cholesterol and triglyceride levels in people with pancreatitis.

Lopid is also used to reduce the risk of stroke, heart attack, or other heart problems in some people with high cholesterol and triglycerides who have not responded to other treatments.

Lopid may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Lopid is usually taken 30 minutes before breakfast and dinner. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.

Lopid is only part of a complete treatment program that may also include diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.

You may need frequent medical tests. Even if you have no symptoms, tests can help your doctor determine if this medicine is effective.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

You should not take Lopid if you have severe liver or kidney disease, gallbladder disease, or if you are also taking repaglinide, dasabuvir, or simvastatin.

You should not use Lopid if you are allergic to it, if you have:

• severe liver disease;
• severe kidney disease;
• gallbladder disease; or
• if you are also taking repaglinide, dasabuvir, or simvastatin.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• gallstones; or
• if you also take warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven).

It is not known whether Lopid will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

In rare cases, Lopid can cause a condition that leads to the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, which can result in kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, and dark colored urine.

Also call your doctor at once if you have:

• sharp pain in your upper stomach (especially after eating);
• jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes);
• pain or burning when you urinate;
• blurred vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights; or
• low blood cell counts--pale skin, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, unusual tiredness, feeling light-headed or short of breath, cold hands and feet.

Common side effects of Lopid may include:

• stomach pain, indigestion, diarrhea;
• numbness or tingly feeling;
• dizziness, drowsiness;
• blurred vision;
• muscle or joint pain; or
• loss of interest in sex, impotence.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Take the medicine as soon as possible, but skip the missed dose if it is nearly time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at once.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

• Avoid eating foods high in fat or cholesterol, or Lopid will not be as effective.

• Avoid drinking alcohol. It may interfere with your treatment.

Using certain medicines with Lopid can raise your risk of serious muscle problems. It is very important to inform your doctor about all medicines you are using, and any that you start or stop using, especially:

• colchicine; or
• a "statin" cholesterol-lowering medicine--atorvastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin, pitavastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin, simvastatin, Crestor, Lipitor, Zocor, Vytorin, and others.

This list is not complete, and many other drugs may affect Lopid. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.