IG 225 White Pill: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Warning

The white, elliptical / oval pill with the imprint I G 225 has been identified as Gemfibrozil 600 mg supplied by Cipla USA, Inc.. I G 225 pills are used with diet changes (restriction of cholesterol and fat intake) to reduce the amount of cholesterol and triglycerides (other fatty substances) in the blood in certain people with very high triglycerides who are at risk of pancreatic disease (conditions affecting the pancreas, a gland that produces fluid to break down food and hormones to control blood sugar).

I G 225 pill is also used in people with a combination of low high-density lipoprotein (HDL; ‘good cholesterol’) levels and high low-density lipoprotein (LDL; ‘bad cholesterol’) and triglyceride levels to reduce the risk of heart disease. Gemfibrozil is in a class of lipid-regulating medications called fibrates. It works by reducing the production of triglycerides in the liver.

How should I take I G 225 pill?

I G 225 pill comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken twice a day, 30 minutes before the morning and evening meals. Take I G 225 pill at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take I G 225 pill exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

I G 225 pill controls high triglycerides and low HDL, but does not cure them. Continue to take I G 225 pill even if you feel well. Do not stop taking I G 225 pill without talking to your doctor.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking I G 225 pill,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to gemfibrozil, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in gemfibrozil tablets. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
• tell your doctor if you are taking dasabuvir (in Viekira Pak), simvastatin (Zocor, in Vytorin), or repaglinide (Prandin, in Prandimet). Your doctor will probably tell you not to take gemfibrozil while taking any of these medications.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: atorvastatin (Lipitor, in Caduet), bosentan (Tracleer), colchicine (Colcrys, Mitigare, in Col-Probenecid), dabrafenib (Tafinlar), enzalutamide (Xtandi), ezetimibe (Zetia, in Vytorin), fluvastatin (Lescol), glyburide (Diabeta, Glynase, in Glucovance), irinotecan (Camptosar, Onivyde), loperamide (Imodium), lovastatin (Altoprev), montelukast (Singulair), olmesartan (Benicar, in Azor, Tribenzor), paclitaxel (Abraxane, Taxol), pioglitazone (Actos, in Actoplus Met, Duetact, Oseni), pitavastatin (Livalo), pravastatin (Pravachol), rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, in Rifamate, Rifater), rosiglitazone (Avandia), rosuvastatin (Crestor), valsartan (Diovan, in Entresto, Exforge), and warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. Other medications may also interact with gemfibrozil, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list.
• if you are taking colestipol (Colestid), take this medication 2 hours before or 2 hours after I G 225 pill.
• tell your doctor if you have kidney, liver, or gallbladder disease. Your doctor may tell you not to take I G 225 pill.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking I G 225 pill, call your doctor.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Eat a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet. Be sure to follow all exercise and dietary recommendations made by your doctor or dietitian. You can also visit the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) website for additional dietary information at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/chol/chol_tlc.pdf.

What should I do if I forget a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What are the side effects of I G 225 pill?

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking I G 225 pill. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

•          diarrhea

•          heartburn

•          nausea

•          skin rash

•          stomach pain, gas, or heartburn

•          vomiting

Although most of the side effects listed below don’t happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

•          signs of kidney problems (e.g., decreased urination, nausea, vomiting, swelling of the feet and ankles)

•          signs of liver problems (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools)

•          unusual tiredness or weakness

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

•          symptoms of muscle breakdown (e.g., muscle pain, unexplained muscle weakness, general feeling of being unwell, fever)

•          stomach pain (severe) with nausea and vomiting

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.

Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.

Blood counts: Rarely, this medication will decrease the number of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell that helps fight infection), red blood cells (which carry oxygen), and platelets (which help your blood to clot). Your doctor will do blood tests to monitor this. If you notice any signs of infection (e.g., fever, chills, or sore throat), fatigue, or unusual bleeding or bruising, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Gallbladder disease: I G 225 pill may increase the risk for gallstones. If you have a history of gallbladder disease, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Liver function: Liver disease or reduced liver function may cause this medication to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have liver problems, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed. Your doctor may want to test your liver function regularly with blood tests while you are taking this medication.

If you experience symptoms of liver problems such as fatigue, feeling unwell, loss of appetite, nausea, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools, abdominal pain or swelling, and itchy skin, contact your doctor immediately.

Muscle effects: When combined with medications in the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors class (commonly referred to as “statins”), there is an increased risk of muscle breakdown. If you are taking I G 225 pill and one of these medications, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

If you experience symptoms of muscle breakdown, such as generalized weakness, muscle pain, a general feeling of being unwell, with or without fever, contact your doctor immediately.

Pregnancy: Strict birth control methods must be used by women who may become pregnant while taking I G 225 pill. If you become pregnant despite using birth control, stop taking I G 225 pill and contact your doctor. Women who are planning to become pregnant should stop taking I G 225 pill several months before conception.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if I G 225 pill passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking this medication, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of this medication have not been established for children.

What other drugs could interact with this medication?

There may be an interaction between gemfibrozil and any of the following:

•          amiodarone

•          anti-psychotics (e.g., chlorpromazine, clozapine, haloperidol, olanzepine, quetiapine, risperidone)

•          bosentan

•          carvedilol

•          celecoxib

•          cholestyramine

•          cilostazol

•          clobazam

•          clopidogrel

•          colchicine

•          colestipol

•          cyclosporine

•          dacarbazine

•          dapsone

•          dasabuvir

•          diazepam

•          diclofenac

•          dronabinol

•          enzalutamide

•          estrogens (estradiol, conjugated/equine, esterified, estropipate)

•          ezetimbe

•          flutamide

•          ifosfamide

•          imatinib

•          irinotecan

•          ketamine

•          lacosamide

•          lidocaine

•          losartan

•          melatonin

•          mestranol

•          mexiletine

•          mirtazapine

•          moclobemide

•          montelukast

•          nateglinide

•          paclitaxel

•          pentamidine         

•          phenobarbital

•          phenytoin

•          pimozide

•          pioglitazone

•          piroxicam

•          propranolol

•          raltegravir

•          rasagiline

•          repaglinide

•          ropinirole

•          rosiglitazone

•          selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; e.g., citalopram, duloxetine, fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline)

•          “statin” medications (e.g., atorvastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin, rosuvastatin, pravastatin, simvastatin)

•          sulfonamide antibiotics (“sulfas”; e.g., sulfisoxazole, sulfamethoxazole)

•          sulfonylureas (e.g., gliclazide, glyburide, tolbutamide)

•          tamoxifen

•          theophyllines (e.g., aminophylline, oxtriphylline, theophylline)

•          tizanidine

•          torsemide

•          tretinoin

•          tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, clomipramine, desipramine, trimipramine)

•          trimethoprim

•          ursodiol

•          voriconazole

•          warfarin

•          zafirlukast

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

•          stop taking one of the medications,

•          change one of the medications to another,

•          change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or

•          leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.