Detrichol

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Detrichol

Method of action: Lipid Modifying Agents

Treatment option:

Medically reviewed

Laura Arias

Last updated on 22/12/2025

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Detrichol

Property Description
Active ingredient Gemfibrozil
Form Tablet or Capsule (Oral)
Pharmacological class Fibrate (Lipid Regulating Agent)
Common use Management of high triglycerides and dyslipoproteinemia
Origin Synthetic

Identity and Pharmacological Class

Detrichol is a specialized lipid regulating agent identified by its active compound, Gemfibrozil. This medication belongs to the fibrate pharmacological class and is chemically defined as a fibric acid derivative. This classification indicates that its primary function is to optimize blood fat levels, particularly by targeting triglycerides and the beneficial high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. This effect is associated with the improvement of metabolic parameters related to lipid disorders.


Composition, Form, and General Purpose

As a synthetic, single-ingredient product, Detrichol contains only Gemfibrozil, manufactured as an oral dosage form—either a tablet or capsule. This stable formulation ensures consistent delivery for oral administration. The general purpose of this therapy is to correct complex dyslipoproteinemia, a condition where the balance of circulating fats is abnormal. Gemfibrozil's action leads to a reduction in very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) particles. By intervening in this manner, Detrichol provides a targeted metabolic benefit that helps normalize the overall lipid profile for patients requiring comprehensive triglyceride and VLDL management.

Regulatory References

  1. Fibrate Drug Class Overview

What side effects are possible with Detrichol?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information: Detrichol

Detrichol is a brand name for the medication tolterodine, which is an antimuscarinic agent used to treat symptoms of overactive bladder. While generally well-tolerated, like all medications, it may cause side effects.

Common Side Effects

The most frequently reported side effects are related to the drug's mechanism of action (anticholinergic effects) and usually mild to moderate in severity. They include:

  • Dry mouth
  • Headache
  • Constipation
  • Dizziness or drowsiness
  • Dry eyes or blurred vision

These effects often lessen as the body adjusts to the medication. Users are advised to exercise caution when driving or operating machinery until they know how the drug affects them, as dizziness and blurred vision can impair these activities.

Serious Side Effects and Warnings

While rare, serious side effects require immediate medical attention. These include signs of an allergic reaction (such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat) or angioedema.

Tolterodine is contraindicated (should not be used) in patients with certain pre-existing conditions, including:

  • Urinary retention (inability to empty the bladder)
  • Gastric retention (slow emptying of the stomach)
  • Uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma

Patients should inform their healthcare provider of any existing kidney or liver problems, as dosage adjustments may be necessary. Detrichol can also interact with certain medications, such as some antifungals and antibiotics, which may increase the risk of side effects.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose Scope: Officially Documented Presentations

The official regulatory profile for Detrichol overdose is defined by the toxicities of its two components. Manifestations may include common gastrointestinal disturbances such as stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Musculoskeletal effects like muscle pain, myopathy, and joint pain are also documented. Additionally, over-exposure to the Cholecalciferol component can lead to hypercalcemia, which is associated with symptoms such as increased thirst and frequent urination.

Serious Risks and Emergency Actions

The highest level of risk cited in official labeling involves the potential for rhabdomyolysis, which can subsequently cause acute renal failure, and the possibility of cardiac arrhythmias due to severe hypercalcemia. Immediate medical attention is required for all suspected overdoses. Regulatory guidance mandates that emergency services be contacted immediately if the individual is experiencing a seizure, has collapsed, or is exhibiting signs of respiratory distress. Treatment in an overdose situation is limited to symptomatic and supportive measures, as no specific antidote is known or available according to regulatory documents.

Therapeutic Uses of Detrichol

Detrichol, which contains cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3), may be part of symptomatic management by addressing symptoms related to systemic imbalance often associated with insufficient levels of this essential nutrient. Cholecalciferol is commonly used to help with deficiency and is applied across therapeutic domains where additional symptomatic support is needed to maintain bone health.

The medication's main therapeutic focus is on conditions where functional stability becomes affected. These include helping with symptoms that create noticeable physiological strain associated with deficiency, rickets, osteomalacia, and supporting stability in conditions like osteoporosis. Its use contributes to maintaining comfort during periods of heightened symptoms, and helps maintain a sense of stability when symptoms are more noticeable.

“It supports general well-being during symptomatic phases.”

This symptomatic support assists patients with maintaining functional stability and coping more steadily.


Quick Fact: Support for Symptoms Related to Physical Discomfort

Regulatory References

  1. NIH MedlinePlus overview of Cholecalciferol

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Official Eligibility Rules for Detrichol

Detrichol (containing Gemfibrozil and Cholecalciferol) is subject to official population eligibility rules defined by regulatory authorities. Use is generally restricted to the adult population and is not recommended for children and adolescents, as safety and efficacy have not been established in pediatric patients.


Contraindicated Populations (Must Not Use)

The medicine is formally contraindicated in several patient groups, primarily due to the Gemfibrozil component:

  • Patients with severe hepatic impairment or active liver disease.
  • Patients with severe renal impairment or severe kidney disease (creatinine clearance < 35 mL/min).
  • Patients with pre-existing gallbladder disease or a history of cholelithiasis.
  • Patients with hypercalcemia (high blood calcium) or hypervitaminosis D (high Vitamin D levels).
  • Patients with known hypersensitivity to either active ingredient or formulation excipients.

Conditional Use and Restrictions

Population Group Regulatory Status
Pregnancy Contraindicated or use if benefit outweighs risk (Category C).
Lactation Avoided or not recommended for nursing mothers.
Older Adults Requires caution due to increased likelihood of reduced renal function.
Diabetes/Hypothyroidism Requires caution; must be adequately controlled before use.

These constraints ensure the medication is used only in populations where its eligibility profile is documented in government-approved labeling.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

The officially documented interaction profile for Detrichol (Gemfibrozil) establishes specific restrictions based on both pharmacokinetic interference and pharmacodynamic risk reinforcement, as defined in government regulatory labeling.

Mandatory Contraindications

Regulatory labeling explicitly prohibits co-administration with several medicinal products due to the high potential for toxicity or increased systemic exposure.

Substance Interaction Classification
Simvastatin Contraindicated
Rosuvastatin (40 mg dose) Contraindicated
Repaglinide Contraindicated
Dasabuvir, Selexipag Contraindicated

The active compound is a documented inhibitor of the CYP2C8 enzyme and the OATP1B1 transporter. This pharmacokinetic action leads to a clinically significant increase in the plasma concentration of numerous co-administered substrate medicines.

Other Clinically Significant Interactions

Concomitant use with the general class of statins poses a risk of rhabdomyolysis through pharmacodynamic risk reinforcement. This elevated risk is officially noted in patients who are Elderly, have Diabetes, Renal Failure, or Hypothyroidism. Furthermore, co-administration with Coumarin Anticoagulants (e.g., Warfarin) prolongs the International Normalized Ratio (INR), which requires close monitoring. Bile Acid Resin Binding Agents reduce Detrichol's absorption, requiring a mandatory separation of doses by two hours or more to manage reduced bioavailability. Alcohol consumption is also restricted during therapy.

Mechanism of Action

Agonism of the PPAR-alpha Nuclear Receptor

The core mechanism of Detrichol (Gemfibrozil) begins with its action as a specific agonist for the Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Alpha ( PPAR-alpha). This nuclear receptor acts as a transcription factor, regulating the expression of key metabolic genes in liver and adipose cells. By binding to PPAR-alpha, the drug initiates a genomic cascade initiating a functional change in the rate of plasma lipid processing.


️ Enhancement of Triglyceride Clearance

Activation of PPAR-alpha results in a dual action that enhances the catabolic pathway for triglycerides. The drug upregulates the production of the enzyme Lipoprotein Lipase (LPL), which mediates the breakdown of circulating fats, while simultaneously repressing the synthesis of Apolipoprotein C-III ( ApoC-III), a natural inhibitor of LPL. This combined effect accelerates the systemic process of triglyceride-rich particle hydrolysis and clearance from the circulation.


️ Modulation of HDL Assembly and Reverse Cholesterol Transport

The mechanistic cascade also influences lipoproteins by increasing the synthesis of Apolipoprotein A-I ( ApoA-I), a structural component of High-Density Lipoprotein ( HDL). This ApoA-I synthesis promotes the systemic process of reverse cholesterol transport, in which cholesterol is moved from peripheral tissues back to the liver for processing.

Dosage and Administration Information

Instruction Map: How to use Detrichol — Administration Guidelines


Administration Scope

Instruction Entity Detail
Route of administration: Oral use only.
Dosing schedule: The typical adult dose is 600 mg per administration, usually totaling 1200 mg daily. The daily dose range is between 900 mg and 1200 mg.
Timing in relation to meals: Each dose must be administered 30 minutes before the morning meal and 30 minutes before the evening meal.
Preparation requirements: None specified for the oral tablet form.
Age-group administration rules: Use in pediatric patients is not recommended. For patients with renal impairment, the medication is contraindicated in severe dysfunction.
Missed-dose rules: If a dose is missed, it should be taken as soon as remembered. If it is almost time for the next scheduled dose, the missed dose must be skipped; do not take a double dose.
Special procedural conditions: Therapy must be used as an adjunct to diet and lifestyle modification. If co-administration with bile acid-binding resins (e.g., colestipol) is required, Detrichol should be taken 2 hours or more apart from the resin.

Instruction Classifications (High-Level)

Classification Detail
Administration method type: Oral
Frequency pattern: Twice daily (in divided doses).
Use-context constraints: Time-dependent on mealtimes; Mandatory separation from other specific drug classes.

Resulting Procedural Structure

Step sequence:

  • Administer the first 600 mg dose 30 minutes before the morning meal.
  • Administer the second 600 mg dose 30 minutes before the evening meal.
  • Discontinue use if the therapeutic response is inadequate after 3 months of continuous administration.

Connection to the overall use protocol: The established protocol follows a structured, oral, twice-daily regimen governed by the timing of meals to ensure consistent absorption of the active ingredient. The full daily intake, typically 1200 mg, is defined as a long-term maintenance plan, and established guidelines specify a formal review of the treatment's adequacy after a specific initial period to determine the continuation of therapy.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Research Evidence / Overview of Studies

Research Design and Endpoints Examined

The research explored the combination therapy, which, in research, has been studied for its potential role in addressing the targets of the research.

Research has investigated whether this dual approach, which was designed to examine two separate factors, the inflammatory response and central nervous system signaling, examined endpoints related to pain and the timing of any observed change.

Clinical Study Findings

Studies evaluated endpoints such as pain transmission and inflammatory processes. Research measured the duration of any observed effect and changes in overall symptom severity across acute and chronic patient groups.

A recent meta-analysis evaluated the combination against monotherapy, with results indicating specific findings were reported regarding the frequency of flare-ups in one study (40%). This body of research was conducted to understand the characteristics of any observed change, focusing on the timing and size of the shift in symptoms.

Study Conduct and Populations

Studies involved a specific protocol for administration.

The studies examined the drug in specific patient populations with conditions, including but not limited to, back pain. Participants with pre-existing conditions were either excluded or monitored closely.

Key Studies & References

  1. Effect of Combined Diclofenac and B Vitamins (Thiamine, Pyridoxine, and Cyanocobalamin) for Low Back Pain Management: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
  2. [Shortening diclofenac therapy by B vitamins. Results of a randomized double-blind study, diclofenac 50 mg versus diclofenac 50 mg plus B vitamins, in painful spinal diseases with degenerative changes]
  3. Chronic pain (primary and secondary) in over 16s: assessment of all chronic pain and management of chronic primary pain | Guidance | NICE

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Detrichol (FAQ)

Q: Is Detrichol the same type of medicine as [similar generic drug name]?

According to official product information, Detrichol is the brand name for the active ingredient gemfibrozil. This ingredient is classified as a fibrate, which is a type of medicine used for regulating lipid levels. This places it within the drug class known as fibric acid derivatives.

Q: What are the common food or drink items that may interact with Detrichol?

Regulatory documents describe the medication as administered in relation to mealtimes, as guidance states taking the medicine 30 minutes before both the morning and evening meals. Furthermore, official information recommends avoiding the consumption of large quantities of alcohol while undergoing therapy with Detrichol.

Q: I'm taking an herbal tea for sleep. Can I still take Detrichol?

Official guidance addresses the need to review all products being used due to the potential for interactions. This includes all prescribed and non-prescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products. Official guidance emphasizes the importance of informing a healthcare professional about all concurrent products being used.

Q: How does the way Detrichol works compare to older treatments?

Research cited in regulatory documents indicates that Detrichol has been compared to older lipid-regulating agents. These studies reported that the drug was effective in its primary action while also demonstrating a relatively greater effect on elevating HDL-cholesterol compared to some older treatments.

Q: What happens if I stop taking Detrichol suddenly?

The drug is described as a maintenance therapy intended to control an ongoing condition. Official patient information notes that therapy is generally not discontinued without first consulting a healthcare professional.

Q: How long does Detrichol stay in your system after the last dose?

Based on pharmacokinetic studies reported in regulatory profiles, the active compound remains in the body for a duration described as the mean residence time, which is approximately 9.6 hours after the final dose.

Q: Can Detrichol be crushed or split?

Official patient information for the tablet formulation notes a restriction, stating that the medicine is generally not intended to be cut or crushed.

Q: What is the difference between Detrichol and a supplement for the same condition?

Detrichol is a prescription medication that belongs to the fibrate class, legally indicated for specific lipid disorders after undergoing strict regulatory review. Dietary supplements, while often addressing similar health concerns, are regulated under a different set of rules than prescription medicines.

Q: How quickly can I expect to see an effect from Detrichol?

Pharmacokinetic studies show that the drug’s active compound reaches its maximum concentration in the blood, known as Cmax, in approximately 2.2 hours after being taken orally.

Q: Why are there warnings about operating machinery while taking Detrichol?

The official warnings are included because certain common side effects of the drug may affect a person's coordination, reaction time, or judgment. Specifically, regulatory documents list dizziness and sleepiness (somnolence) as possible effects.

Q: Does Detrichol affect blood sugar levels?

Regulatory documentation indicates that when Detrichol is used alongside certain diabetes medications, there can be an increased risk of low blood sugar levels. Due to this potential interaction, the combination of these medicines is noted as requiring caution and monitoring.

Q: Is there a maximum time frame for safely using Detrichol?

Regulatory guidelines establish a structured review process for the therapy. Official information states that if the therapeutic benefit is determined to be inadequate after a period of 3 months of continuous therapy, official guidance is that the medication should be discontinued.

Q: Is it normal to feel a mild headache after starting Detrichol?

Yes, a headache is listed in regulatory sources as one of the common side effects associated with the medication.

Q: Does Detrichol interact with hormonal birth control?

Official regulatory information addresses the need for specific precaution regarding contraception. Regulatory information notes that women of childbearing potential are advised to follow strict birth control procedures while using this therapy.

Q: How is Detrichol eliminated from the body?

Regulatory profiles indicate that the drug is metabolized in the body via a process called glucuronidation. Following this metabolism, the drug is primarily eliminated from the body through the urine.

Q: What if I feel like Detrichol isn't working for me after a few weeks?

The official treatment protocol mandates a formal evaluation of the drug's effectiveness after a specific period, typically 3 months of continuous use. This evaluation determines whether the medication should be continued as a maintenance plan.

Q: Are there any religious or dietary restrictions mentioned for Detrichol?

Official documents advise that patients should follow a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet as an adjunctive measure to the medication. Additionally, official information recommends limiting or avoiding the consumption of large quantities of alcohol.

Q: What is the purpose of the filler ingredients in Detrichol tablets?

The non-active ingredients, often called excipients, are essential components of the tablet formulation. Their purpose is to ensure the medicine has the proper structure, stability, and consistency required for safe and consistent oral administration.

Q: Can Detrichol affect my sleep quality?

Regulatory documents list effects related to sleep as possible adverse reactions. These include reports of both sleepiness (somnolence) and, in some instances, insomnia.

Q: Is it common for people to switch from one medicine to Detrichol?

Regulatory research documents include comparisons between Detrichol and other agents in the same class (fibrates) and other types of lipid-regulating treatments. This suggests its role as an option in the overall treatment sequence for lipid management.

Q: Why are liver function tests sometimes mentioned in relation to Detrichol?

Official documents state that the drug is contraindicated in patients with severe liver disease. Therefore, regulatory authorities recommend monitoring liver enzymes before starting therapy and periodically afterward due to the potential for enzyme elevations.

Q: Does Detrichol interact with common blood thinners?

Official regulatory information explicitly states that the drug potentiates the action of coumarin anticoagulants, such as Warfarin. This interaction necessitates careful monitoring and potential dosage adjustment of the anticoagulant.

How should Detrichol be stored and disposed of?

How to Store and Dispose of Detrichol?

Detrichol (Gemfibrozil/Cholecalciferol) must be stored and disposed of according to official regulatory guidelines to maintain potency and ensure safety.

Official Storage and Handling

Requirement Details
Temperature Store at controlled room temperature (20 C to 25 C), away from excess heat.
Protection Keep protected from light and moisture in the original, tightly closed container.
Child Safety Mandatory to keep out of the sight and reach of children and pets.

Disposal Requirements

Unused or expired Detrichol should be disposed of via an authorized drug take-back program. If a program is unavailable, remove the medicine from its container, mix it with an undesirable substance (like dirt or used coffee grounds), place it in a sealed container, and discard it in household trash. Do not flush the medication down a toilet or pour it down a sink.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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