A client is prescribed gemfibrozil (Lopid) for treatment of hyperlipidemia type IV. What is important for the nurse to teach the client?

• A. Take aspirin before the medication if you experience facial flushing.
• B. You may experience headaches with this medication.
• C. You will need to have weekly blood drawn to assess for hyperkalemia.
• D. Cholesterol levels will need to be assessed daily for one week.

Answer: (B)

Gemfibrozil is a fibrate used to lower triglyceride levels, especially in hyperlipidemia with markedly elevated triglycerides. A key point to teach patients is that headaches are a common adverse effect of this medication. They’re typically not dangerous, but if headaches are severe or persistent, the patient should contact a clinician to determine if dose adjustment or an alternative therapy is needed.

It's also important to set expectations about monitoring and other safety notes. Gemfibrozil can interact with other lipid-lowering drugs, particularly statins, increasing the risk of muscle injury, so patients should report any new or unusual muscle pain, tenderness, weakness, or dark urine. Liver function tests may be monitored because fibrates can affect the liver. Lipid levels are checked periodically to track effectiveness, not daily. There’s no need for weekly potassium checks or daily cholesterol readings. And while niacin can cause facial flushing that patients may try to prevent with aspirin, that approach isn’t relevant to this medication.