High triglyceride levels can increase your risk of developing heart disease or suffering a stroke. Triglycerides are a type of lipid, or fat, your body uses for storage. When you eat a meal that contains more calories than your cells need for energy, those extra calories are converted to triglycerides and stored in your fat cells. In general, the amount of triglycerides circulating in your bloodstream is low. If you consistently eat a diet high in carbohydrates and fat, however, your triglycerides may be too high. Gemfibrozil and prescription-strength niacin, or vitamin B-3, are two different types of medications used to treat high triglycerides.
Gemfibrozil for Elevated Triglycerides
Gemfibrozil is classified as a fibrate medication. It is a cholesterol-lowering medication used to treat high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. Gemfibrozil is typically prescribed if your high-density lipoprotein, or HDL cholesterol, is low and your triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein, or LDL cholesterol, are high enough to put you at risk for pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas that can be serious. Gemfibrozil lowers production of LDL in your liver and increases the removal of triglycerides from your bloodstream. Along with taking gemfibrozil, your doctor may also recommend eating a diet low in carbohydrates, cholesterol and saturated fats and increasing the amount of physical exercise you get.
Niacin for Elevated Triglycerides
Niacin, or vitamin B-3, is probably best known for its use as a dietary supplement. Your body normally needs niacin to convert food into energy, produce hormones and for a healthy nervous system. Over-the-counter dietary supplements containing niacin, however, are not effective in lowering triglyceride levels. A higher-dose prescription strength form of niacin can also be used to lower your triglyceride and LDL levels. MayoClinic.com states prescription strength niacin also raises your HDL levels by as much as 35 percent; having adequate HDL levels are important because it mops up excess LDL cholesterol and transports it to the liver for storage.
Gemfibrozil Precautions
Take gemfibrozil only as prescribed by your doctor. The milder side effects of gemfibrozil include headaches, stomach pain, headache, drowsiness and blurred vision. Gemfibrozil can also cause more serious side effects such as breakdown of muscle tissue, gallstones and liver damage. Inform your doctor if you have liver disease, kidney disease or are taking blood thinners or insulin, as you may not be able to take gemfibrozil.
Niacin Precautions
Never self-treat yourself with niacin for any reason and take it exactly as directed by your physician. The University of Maryland Medical Center states higher doses of niacin can cause liver damage, so your physician will order periodic liver enzyme studies. Side effects of niacin include uncomfortable flushing, redness and tingling of your skin, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, sweating, headaches and insomnia. Avoid alcohol and hot beverages while taking niacin as they can worsen some side effects, especially flushing. Don't take niacin with blood thinners, heart medications, diabetes medications or other cholesterol-lowering drugs.
References
- MayoClinic.com; Triglycerides: Why Do They Matter?; June 2011
- Drugs.com: Gemfibrozil
- MedlinePlus: Gemfibrozil
- MayoClinic.com; High Cholesterol Treatment; June 2011
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Vitamin B3; Steven D. Ehrlich; June 2009
- MayoClinic.com; Niacin to Boost Your HDL, "Good," Cholesterol; June 2011
