Drug/Small Molecule:
gemfibrozil

2D structure

Overview

IUPAC Name: 5-(2,5-dimethylphenoxy)-2,2-dimethylpentanoic acid
Trade Names: Apo-Gemfibrozil; Bolutol; Cholespid; Decrelip; Fibratol; Fibrocit; Gemfibril; Gemfibromax; Gemlipid; Gen-Fibro; Genlip; Gevilon; Hipolixan; Jezil; Lipozid; Lipur; Lopid; Novo-Gemfibrozil; Nu-Gemfibrozil
PharmGKB Accession Id: PA449750

Description

A lipid-regulating agent that lowers elevated serum lipids primarily by decreasing serum triglycerides with a variable reduction in total cholesterol. These decreases occur primarily in the VLDL fraction and less frequently in the LDL fraction. Gemfibrozil increases HDL subfractions HDL2 and HDL3 as well as apolipoproteins A-I and A-II. Its mechanism of action has not been definitely established. [PubChem]

Indication

For treatment of adult patients with very high elevations of serum triglyceride levels (types IV and V hyperlipidemia) who are at risk of developing pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) and who do not respond adequately to a strict diet.

ATC Therapeutic Category

  • C10AB:Fibrates

Pharmacology and Interactions

Mechanism Of Action

Gemfibrozil increases the activity of extrahepatic lipoprotein lipase (LL), thereby increasing lipoprotein triglyceride lipolysis. Chylomicrons are degraded, VLDLs are converted to LDLs, and LDLs are converted to HDL. This is accompanied by a slight increase in secretion of lipids into the bile and ultimately the intestine. Gemfibrozil also inhibits the synthesis and increases the clearance of apolipoprotein B, a carrier molecule for VLDL.

Pharmacology

Gemfibrozil, a fibric acid antilipemic agent similar to clofibrate, is used to treat hyperlipoproteinemia and as a second-line therapy for type IIb hypercholesterolemia. It acts to reduce triglyceride levels, reduce VLDL levels, reduce LDL levels (moderately), and increase HDL levels (moderately).

Food Interactions

Take 30 minutes before meals.

Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Elimination & Toxicity

Biotransformation

Hepatic. Gemfibrozil mainly undergoes oxidation of a ring methyl group to successively form a hydroxymethyl and a carboxyl metabolite.

Protein Binding

95%

Absorption

Well absorbed from gastrointestinal tract (within 1-2 hours).

Half Life

1.5 hours

Toxicity

Oral, mouse: LD50 = 3162 mg/kg. Symptoms of overdose include abdominal cramps, diarrhea, joint and muscle pain, nausea, and vomiting.

Chemical Properties

Chemical Formula:

C15H22O3

SMILES Code:

CC1=CC(=C(C=C1)C)OCCCC(C)(C)C(=O)O

(Format: OpenEye Isomeric)

Molecular Weight ( average / monoisotopic )

250.3334 / 250.1569

Curated Information

The following genes are in curated knowledge about this drug.

  Gene Relationship Evidence
Phenotype data available Genotype Data Available Literature annotations available Has annotations
ABCB1
  •   
  • PD
  • PK
  •   
  •   
Publications
Phenotype data available Genotype Data Available Literature annotations available Has annotations
ACE
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  • PD
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  • GN
Publications
No phenotype data No genotype data Literature annotations available Not annotated
APOE
  •   
  • PD
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  •   
  • GN
Publications
No phenotype data No genotype data Literature annotations available Not annotated
C3
  •   
  • PD
  •   
  •   
  • GN
Publications
Phenotype data available Genotype Data Available Literature annotations available Not annotated
CYP2C8
  •   
  • PD
  • PK
  •   
  •   
Publications
Phenotype data available Genotype Data Available Literature annotations available Has annotations
CYP2C9
  •   
  • PD
  • PK
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  •   
Publications
Phenotype data available Genotype Data Available Literature annotations available Has annotations
CYP3A4
  •   
  • PD
  • PK
  •   
  •   
Publications
No phenotype data No genotype data Literature annotations available Not annotated
ESRRA
  •   
  • PD
  •   
  •   
  • GN
Publications
No phenotype data Genotype Data Available Literature annotations available Has annotations
SLCO1B1
  •   
  • PD
  • PK
  •   
  • GN
Publications
No phenotype data Genotype Data Available Literature annotations available Not annotated
SLCO2B1
  •   
  • PD
  • PK
  • FA
  •   
Publications

Non-Curated Information

A list of non-curated publications that mention this drug along with other genes is available.

Metabolizing Enzymes

Drug Targets

Curated Information

The following drugs are in curated knowledge about this drug.

  Drug Relationship Evidence
No phenotype data No genotype data Literature annotations available Not annotated
ezetimibe
  •   
  •   
  • PK
  •   
  •   
Publications
No phenotype data No genotype data Literature annotations available Not annotated
repaglinide
  •   
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  • PK
  •   
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Publications
Phenotype data available Genotype Data Available Literature annotations available Not annotated
warfarin
  •   
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Publications

Non-Curated Information

A list of non-curated publications that mention this drug along with other drugs is available.

Drug Interactions

acenocoumarol Gemfibrozil increases the anticoagulant effect
anisindione Gemfibrozil increases the anticoagulant effect
atorvastatin Increased risk of myopathy/rhabdomyolysis
cerivastatin Increased risk of myopathy/rhabdomyolysis
dicumarol Gemfibrozil increases the anticoagulant effect
fluvastatin Increased risk of myopathy/rhabdomyolysis
lovastatin Increased risk of myopathy/rhabdomyolysis
pioglitazone Increases the effect and toxicity of rosiglitazone/pioglitazone
pravastatin Increased risk of myopathy/rhabdomyolysis
repaglinide Increases the effect and toxicity of repaglinide
rosiglitazone Increases the effect and toxicity of rosiglitazone/pioglitazone
rosuvastatin Rosuvastatin possibly increases the effect of the fibrate
simvastatin Increased risk of myopathy/rhabdomyolysis
ursodeoxycholic acid The fibric acid derivative decreases the effect of ursodiol
warfarin Gemfibrozil increases the anticoagulant effect

Curated Information

The following diseases are in curated knowledge about this drug.

  Disease Relationship Evidence
No phenotype data No genotype data Literature annotations available Not annotated
Cardiomyopathy, Dilated
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  • PD
  • PK
  • FA
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Publications
No phenotype data No genotype data Literature annotations available Not annotated
Carotid Artery Diseases
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  • PD
  • PK
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  •   
Publications
No phenotype data No genotype data Literature annotations available Not annotated
Obesity
  •   
  • PD
  •   
  •   
  • GN
Publications
No phenotype data No genotype data Literature annotations available Not annotated
Rhabdomyolysis
  •   
  • PD
  • PK
  •   
  •   
Publications
No phenotype data No genotype data Literature annotations available Not annotated
visceral obesity
  •   
  • PD
  •   
  •   
  • GN
Publications

Non-Curated Information

A list of non-curated publications that mention this drug along with other diseases is available.

Additional Datasets

These datasets are minimally curated and are sorted alphabetically by title.

  1. The Connectivity Map: using gene-expression signatures to connect small molecules, genes, and disease

LinkOuts

Web Resource:
Wikipedia
DrugBank:
DB01241
KEGG Drug ID:
D00334
PubChem Compound ID:
3463
PubChem Substance ID:
175056

Common Searches

Search PubMed
Search Medline Plus
Search PubChem
Search CTD

Non-Curated Publications

A list of non-curated publications that mention this drug is available.

PharmGKB integrates drug information from different sources: DrugBank, Open Eye Scientific Software.
The PharmGKB is financially supported by the NIH/ NIGMS and is managed at Stanford University (U01GM61374).
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