Gemfibrozil, 5-(2,5-dimethylphenoxy)-2,2-dimethylpentanoic acid (Lopid), is a congener of clofibratethat was used first in the treatment of hyperlipoproteinemia inthe mid-1970s. Its mechanism of action and use are similar tothose of clofibrate. Gemfibrozil reduces plasma levels ofVLDL triglycerides and stimulates clearance of VLDL fromplasma. The drug has little effect on cholesterol plasma levelsbut does cause an increase of HDL.

Gemfibrozil is absorbed quickly from the gut and excretedunchanged in the urine. The drug has a plasma half-life of1.5 hours, but reduction of plasma VLDL concentration takesbetween 2 and 5 days to become evident. The peak effect of its hypolipidemic action may take up to 4 weeks to becomemanifest.
Application
1. Used for the treatment of hyperlipidemia. The agent is suitable for treatment of severe type IV or type V hyperlipoproteinemia patients with high-risk coronary heart disease who had no response to treatments such as dietary control or weight loss. It is also applicable to type II-b hyperlipoproteinemia patients with high-risk coronary heart disease who had failed to respond to treatments such as dietary control, weight loss, or other lipid-regulating medications.

2. Used as a lipid-regulating agent. It can significantly reduce the levels of triglyceride and cholesterol in blood, and can significantly reduce very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) levels and increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels, but it has little effect on low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels. Clinically, it can be used in patients with all types of lipid metabolism disorders, such as primary and secondary hyperlipoproteinemias, hypercholesterolemias, hypertriglyceridemias, mixed hyperlipidemias, and lipid metabolism disorders caused by diabetes. It can also be used to prevent the occurrence of myocardial infarction.

3. The product belongs to phenoxy aromatic acid antihyperlipidemics, which is a group of drugs developed on the basis of clofibrate including fenofibrate, Etofylline Clofibrate, Bijiangzhi, gemfibrozil and so on. These drugs were similar in chemical structure. Clofibrate has rather serious adverse reactions (which include elevating the occurrence of gallstone). Improved drugs are more effective than clofibrate, with mild and fewer adverse reactions.

4. A lipid-regulating drug that can reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels in blood.