Does Ezetimibe Interact With Gemfibrozil?
OATP1B1 substrates – Gemfibrozil is an inhibitor of organic anion-transporter polyprotein (OATP) 1B1 and may increase exposure of drugs that are substrates of OATP1B1 (e.g., atrasentan, atorvastatin, bosentan, ezetimibe, fluvastatin, glyburide, SN-38 [active metabolite of irinotecan], rosuvastatin, pitavastatin, pravastatin, rifampin, valsartan, olmesartan).
Severity: Moderate
Severity basis: warnings section (keywords: may increase). Combining Ezetimibe (Cholesterol absorption inhibitor) and Gemfibrozil (Fibrate) is classified as a moderate interaction.
What to Do
Use this combination with caution. Your prescriber may monitor you more closely or adjust doses.
How This Interaction Works
Interactions like this one can happen when two medicines have overlapping effects, or when one changes how the other is absorbed, broken down, or cleared from the body. Ezetimibe is a cholesterol absorption inhibitor and Gemfibrozil is a fibrate; together they are documented as a moderate interaction. How much this matters depends on your dose, your other medications, and your overall health.
If You Take Both Medications
If you have been prescribed both Ezetimibe and Gemfibrozil, do not start, stop, or change either medication on your own — some medicines are unsafe to stop suddenly. Tell your prescriber and pharmacist that you take both so they can decide whether the combination is right for you, adjust the dose, monitor you more closely, or suggest an alternative.
From the FDA Label
OATP1B1 substrates – Gemfibrozil is an inhibitor of organic anion-transporter polyprotein (OATP) 1B1 and may increase exposure of drugs that are substrates of OATP1B1 (e.g., atrasentan, atorvastatin, bosentan, ezetimibe, fluvastatin, glyburide, SN-38 [active metabolite of irinotecan], rosuvastatin, pitavastatin, pravastatin, rifampin, valsartan, olmesartan).
Source: FDA structured product labeling (set_id 05bfbcdc-03ab-4fba-9582-980602410ef9).
Check these against your full medication list in our free Interaction Checker
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you take Ezetimibe and Gemfibrozil together?
Ezetimibe and Gemfibrozil have a documented moderate interaction. Use this combination with caution. Your prescriber may monitor you more closely or adjust doses.
How serious is the Ezetimibe and Gemfibrozil interaction?
It is classified as a moderate interaction, based on the FDA label's warnings section (keywords: may increase). A moderate interaction can be clinically meaningful and usually calls for monitoring or a dose adjustment.
What should I do if I'm taking both Ezetimibe and Gemfibrozil?
If you have been prescribed both Ezetimibe and Gemfibrozil, do not start, stop, or change either medication on your own — some medicines are unsafe to stop suddenly. Tell your prescriber and pharmacist that you take both so they can decide whether the combination is right for you, adjust the dose, monitor you more closely, or suggest an alternative.
This information is educational — not medical advice.
This page is provided for general educational purposes and summarizes publicly available data from sources such as the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. It is not a substitute for the judgment of a licensed clinician and should not be used to start, stop, or change any medication. It may be incomplete or out of date, and individual circumstances vary. Always talk with your prescriber or pharmacist about your specific medications and health conditions. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911.
Other Ezetimibe Interactions
Other Gemfibrozil Interactions
- Gemfibrozil + Simvastatin(contraindicated)
- Gemfibrozil + Atorvastatin(major)
- Gemfibrozil + Lovastatin(major)
- Gemfibrozil + Pravastatin(major)
- Gemfibrozil + Rosuvastatin(major)
- Gemfibrozil + Colchicine(moderate)
- Gemfibrozil + Glyburide(moderate)
- Gemfibrozil + Olmesartan(moderate)
- Gemfibrozil + Rifampin(moderate)
- Gemfibrozil + Valsartan(moderate)
- Gemfibrozil + Warfarin(moderate)
- Gemfibrozil + Fenofibrate(minor)
- Gemfibrozil + Montelukast(minor)
- Gemfibrozil + Pioglitazone(minor)