Gemfibrozil Tablet Breastfeeding

There are high number of clear evidence that breastfeeding provides best nutrition that you can give to your baby. It is also evident that lactation is good for mothers health as well. Evolution has designed breastfeeding in a way that it caters all nutritional need of your child. However modern medicine is quite new for evolution, that is why mothers body is not well prepared to filter unnecessary chemical found in medicines. It becomes a necessity to figure out which drug is safe and which drug is dangerous for your newborn while nursing. In this article we will understand function of Gemfibrozil Tablet and its suitability with breastfeeding.

What is Gemfibrozil Tablet used for?


Gemfibrozil Tablets, USP are indicated as adjunctive therapy to diet for: 1. Treatment of adult patients with very high elevations of serum triglyceride levels (Types IV and V hyperlipidemia) who present a risk of pancreatitis and who do not respond adequately to a determined dietary effort to control them. Patients who present such risk typically have serum triglycerides over 2000 mg/dL and have elevations of VLDL-cholesterol as well as fasting chylomicrons (Type V hyperlipidemia). Subjects who consistently have total serum or plasma triglycerides below 1000 mg/dL are unlikely to present a risk of pancreatitis. Gemfibrozil therapy may be considered for those subjects with triglyceride elevations between 1000 and 2000 mg/dL who have a history of pancreatitis or of recurrent abdominal pain typical of pancreatitis. It is recognized that some Type IV patients with triglycerides under 1000 mg/dL may, through dietary or alcoholic indiscretion, convert to a Type V pattern with massive triglyceride elevations accompanying fasting chylomicronemia, but the influence of gemfibrozil therapy on the risk of pancreatitis in such situations has not been adequately studied. Drug therapy is not indicated for patients with Type I hyperlipoproteinemia, who have elevations of chylomicrons and plasma triglycerides, but who have normal levels of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL). Inspection of plasma refrigerated for 14 hours is helpful in distinguishing Types I, IV, and V hyperlipoproteinemia. 2. Reducing the risk of developing coronary heart disease only in Type IIb patients without history of or symptoms of existing coronary heart disease who have had an inadequate response to weight loss, dietary therapy, exercise, and other pharmacologic agents (such as bile acid sequestrants and nicotinic acid, known to reduce LDL- and raise HDL-cholesterol) and who have the following triad of lipid abnormalities: low HDL-cholesterol levels in addition to elevated LDL-cholesterol and elevated triglycerides (see WARNINGS, PRECAUTIONS, and CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY ). The National Cholesterol Education Program has defined a serum HDL-cholesterol value that is consistently below 35 mg/dL as constituting an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease. Patients with significantly elevated triglycerides should be closely observed when treated with gemfibrozil. In some patients with high triglyceride levels, treatment with gemfibrozil is associated with a significant increase in LDL-cholesterol. BECAUSE OF POTENTIAL TOXICITY SUCH AS MALIGNANCY, GALLBLADDER DISEASE, ABDOMINAL PAIN LEADING TO APPENDECTOMY AND OTHER ABDOMINAL SURGERIES, AN INCREASED INCIDENCE IN NON-CORONARY MORTALITY, AND THE 44% RELATIVE INCREASE DURING THE TRIAL PERIOD IN AGE-ADJUSTED ALL-CAUSE MORTALITY SEEN WITH THE CHEMICALLY AND PHARMACOLOGICALLY RELATED DRUG, CLOFIBRATE, THE POTENTIAL BENEFIT OF GEMFIBROZIL IN TREATING TYPE IIA PATIENTS WITH ELEVATIONS OF LDL-CHOLESTEROL ONLY IS NOT LIKELY TO OUTWEIGH THE RISKS. GEMFIBROZIL IS ALSO NOT INDICATED FOR THE TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH LOW HDL-CHOLESTEROL AS THEIR ONLY LIPID ABNORMALITY. In a subgroup analysis of patients in the Helsinki Heart Study with above-median HDL-cholesterol values at baseline (greater than 46.4 mg/dL), the incidence of serious coronary events was similar for gemfibrozil and placebo subgroups (see Table I). The initial treatment for dyslipidemia is dietary therapy specific for the type of lipoprotein abnormality. Excess body weight and excess alcohol intake may be important factors in hypertriglyceridemia and should be managed prior to any drug therapy. Physical exercise can be an important ancillary measure, and has been associated with rises in HDL-cholesterol. Diseases contributory to hyperlipidemia such as hypothyroidism or diabetes mellitus should be looked for and adequately treated. Estrogen therapy is sometimes associated with massive rises in plasma triglycerides, especially in subjects with familial hypertriglyceridemia. In such cases, discontinuation of estrogen therapy may obviate the need for specific drug therapy of hypertriglyceridemia. The use of drugs should be considered only when reasonable attempts have been made to obtain satisfactory results with nondrug methods. If the decision is made to use drugs, the patient should be instructed that this does not reduce the importance of adhering to diet.

Is Gemfibrozil Tablet usage safe while breastfeeding? If a lactating mother is using it can there be any effect on growth or development of infant?

Gemfibrozil Tablet low risk for breastfeeding
Gemfibrozil is the one and only active ingredient present in Gemfibrozil Tablet. Gemfibrozil in itself is a low risk drug for lactation so it is easy to understand that Gemfibrozil Tablet also comes in category of Low Risk item while breastfeeding. Below is the summary of Gemfibrozil in breastfeeding.

Gemfibrozil Tablet Breastfeeding Analsys


Gemfibrozil while Breastfeeding

Low Risk

CAS Number: 25812-30-0

Gemfibrozil, like other fibrates, decreases elevated blood lipids (triglycerides and cholesterol) by increasing the activity of lipases that catabolize triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and slightly decreasing cholesterol biosynthesis (AEMPS 2017, Ascent 2011, Miller 1998). In general, fibrates have a discrete effect on the increase of high density lipoprotein (HDL) concentration and the reduction of low density lipoprotein (LDL). Since the last update we have not found published data in relation to breastfeeding. Its high binding to plasma proteins makes it unlikely it will pass into breast milk. Cholesterol levels in milk are very stable even in hypercholesterolemic women and are not severely affected by diet or nutritional status of the mother, suggesting that 3 is synthesized, at least in part, in the mammary gland (Lawrence 2016, p 289-90).It is not probable therefore, but it is not known if the fibrates are able to alter the lipid composition of the milk. Infants need to ingest large amounts of cholesterol, as it is critical to the proper development of the nervous system, cell membranes and is a precursor of several hormones and vitamins. Until there is more data in relation to breastfeeding, it is prudent to avoid using it, at least while breastfeeding exclusively. Suspending the pharmacological treatment of hyperlipidemia during breastfeeding is not likely to alter the long-term outcome of the disease, especially when breastfeeding can be considered therapeutic (Lawrence 2016, p.393). It is advisable to follow a lipid-lowering diet. In case of administering a fibrate during breastfeeding it is advisable to choose those with a shorter half-life: bezafibrate, gemfibrozil.


Gemfibrozil Tablet Breastfeeding Analsys - 2


Gemfibrozil while Breastfeeding

CAS Number: 25812-30-0

No relevant published information exists on the use of gemfibrozil during breastfeeding. Because of a concern with disruption of infant lipid metabolism, gemfibrozil is best avoided during breastfeeding. An alternate drug is preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant.



What should I do if I am breastfeeding mother and I am already exposed to Gemfibrozil Tablet?

During whole lactation period you shall first discuss with your doctor and then together you shall decide whether you shall take that drug or not however if you have already taken Gemfibrozil Tablet then you shall inform your doctor, But you should not be worried too much as Gemfibrozil Tablet comes in category of low risk drug.


I am nursing mother and my doctor has suggested me to use Gemfibrozil Tablet, is it safe?

Gemfibrozil Tablet comes in category of low risk and if your doctor is aware that you are breastfeeding it should be ok to use without much concerns.


If I am using Gemfibrozil Tablet, will my baby need extra monitoring?

Not much


Who can I talk to if I have questions about usage of Gemfibrozil Tablet in breastfeeding?

US
National Womens Health and Breastfeeding Helpline: 800-994-9662 (TDD 888-220-5446) 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday

UK
National Breastfeeding Helpline: 0300-100-0212 9.30am to 9.30pm, daily
Association of Breastfeeding Mothers: 0300-330-5453
La Leche League: 0345-120-2918
The Breastfeeding Network supporter line in Bengali and Sylheti: 0300-456-2421
National Childbirth Trust (NCT): 0300-330-0700

Australia
National Breastfeeding Helpline: 1800-686-268 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Canada
Telehealth Ontario for breastfeeding: 1-866-797-0000 24 hours a day, 7 days a week