Warning: the next information is intended to supplement, not substitute since, the expertise and judgment of some your doctor. it must not be construed to indicate that use of the tablet is safe or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before using this pill.

Lovastatin/niacin extended-release - oral

(low-vuh-stat-in/nye-uh-sin)

common brand names: Advicor

Advicor Usage: this combination drug is used along with proper diet to help lower cholesterol & fats (triglycerides) in blood. it combines lovastatin (an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor), also known as 'statin', & niacin which is B-complex vitamin. in general, this product is prescribed after non-drug treatment options have not been fully successful in lowering cholesterol (e.g., diet change, increase in exercise, weight loss if overweight). Reducing cholesterol & triglycerides help prevent strokes and heart attacks.

How to use Advicor: If you are currently taking long-acting form of niacin, your doctor can switch you to it combination product after you have reached your proper niacin dosage. If you are currently taking an immediate-release form of niacin, inform your doctor before switching to long-acting niacin. Doses of immediate-release & long-acting niacin are not equal. When switching to long-acting niacin, it is recommended that you use low dose for some weeks so your body can adjust to the effects. it will also help to reduce risk of an infrequent but severe liver side effect (fulminant hepatic necrosis). Consult you're healthcare professional or healthcare professional for details, & follow dosing instructions carefully. once you have reached your proper dose about long-acting niacin, your healthcare professional may switch you to it combination product. If you have never taken niacin before, you need to first be treated with long-acting niacin (in gradually increasing dosage) before starting it combination lovastatin/niacin product. Take this tablet by mouth usually once per day at bedtime with low-fat snack, or as directed by youre physician. Taking drug in this manner will increase Its absorption & help reduce stomach upset. Swallow this tablet whole. do not crush, chew, or break the med; this can destroy long action of drug & may increase side effects. Dosage is based on your medical condition, response to therapy, and use of certain interacting medicines. much of drugs listed in drug Interactions section may increase the chances about muscle injury when used with lovastatin/niacin. Consult some your physician or physician for more guide. Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while being treated with this medication unless your physician instructs you otherwise. Grapefruit juice can increase amount about certain drugs in some your bloodstream. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more following details. If you also take certain other drugs to lower your cholesterol (bile acid-binding resins such as cholestyramine or colestipol), allow at least four to 6 hours between taking those drugs & this product. Avoid drinking alcohol or hot drinks prior to taking this medicine to reduce risk about an uncomfortable side effect caused by niacin (flushing). Taking non-enteric coated aspirin or an aspirin-like drug (e.g., NSAIDs like ibuprofen or naproxen) 30 minutes before taking this medicine may help reduce the risk of flushing. Consult youre healthcare professional for more information and before taking any aspirin or NSAID product. do not stop using this medication unless instructed by youre physician. If you have stopped taking niacin for 7 days or more and are resuming treatment, It's recommended that you restart with lowest dose of it drug before gradually increasing back up to your maintenance dose. Contact your pharmacist for further instructions. Use this tablet regularly in order to get most benefit from this. Remember to use it in the same clock each day. this may take up to 4 weeks before the full benefit of this med takes effect. it is important to continue taking this tablet even if you feel well. most people with high cholesterol or triglycerides do not feel sick.

Advicor side effects: this medication may cause flushing and feeling of warmth about the face & neck within the first 2 hours of taking dose. These effects may last for one to two hours. Headache, dizziness, a quick heartbeat, redness/itching/tingling about the skin, or swelling of arms/legs may occur as well. the frequency & intensity of these effects should subside after some weeks as your body adjusts to the medication. Stomach upset, nausea, and diarrhea may also occur. If these effects persist or worsen, notify your pharmacist or physician promptly. Tell you're doctor immediately if any about these unlikely but serious side effects occur: increased thirst, change in the amount about urine, blurred vision, unusual tiredness or fatigue, simple bruising or bleeding. this drug may infrequently cause muscle damage (which can rarely lead to a very serious condition called rhabdomyolysis). Stop taking this drug & tell your doctor immediately if you develop: muscle pain/tenderness/weakness (especially with fever or unusual tiredness). Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlikely but very serious side effects occur: fainting, yellowing eyes & skin, dark urine, severe fatigue, persistent nausea, severe stomach/abdominal pain. serious allergic reaction to this med is unlikely, but seek immeditial healthcare professional attention if it occurs. Symptoms of serious allergic reaction include: rash, severe itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Advicor Precautions: this medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: active liver disease, active peptic ulcer disease, serious bleeding problems (e.g., arterial bleeding). Before using this pill, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially about: heart disease (e.g., unstable angina), kidney disease, history about liver disease, underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), diabetes, gout, history about stomach/abdominal problems (e.g., ulcers), low phosphate blood levels, alcohol use, any allergies (especially to other 'statin' drugs). the rare development of severe muscle damage (see Side Effects) can infrequently lead to serious kidney problems. it drug is usually temporarily stopped if you have any condition which can increase youre risk of developing kidney problems. Before stopping your pill, notify your pharmacist immediately if you have any about following conditions: recent or scheduled major surgery, trauma, serious illness (e.g., sepsis, severe metabolic/endocrine/electrolyte disorders), very low blood pressure, uncontrolled seizures. this drug may make you dizzy; use caution engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery. To minimize dizziness & lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from seated or lying position. Limit alcoholic beverages. daily use of alcohol may increase some your chance for serious side effects. Caution is advised when using this drug in elderly because they may be more sensitive to the side effects of medication, especially muscle damage. it tablet must not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, inform your pharmacist immediately. It's recommended that wome of child-bearing age use effective birth control measures while taking this drug for lovastatin may cause fetal harm. it medication passes into breast milk & may have undesirable effects on nursing infant. Breast-feeding isnt recommended while using this med. Consult you're healthcare professional before breast-feeding.

Advicor pill interactions: see also the How To Use section. this med should not be used with following drugs because very serious, possibly fatal interactions may occur: certain azole antifungals (e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole), delavirdine, HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir, amprenavir, lopinavir), certain macrolide antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin, clarithromycin, troleandomycin), mibefradil, nefazodone, telithromycin. If you currently using any about these medications, tell your physician or doctor before starting it product. Use caution if next drugs combined with it medication because serious side effects such as muscle injury (myopathy) infrequently could occur: fibrates (e.g., gemfibrozil, fenofibrate). Even though this product contains niacin, doses of niacin above 1 gram per day infrequently have caused muscle injury (myopathy) with or without lovastatin use. Consult your doctor for more following details. Before using this medication, tell youre physician or pharmacist of every prescription and nonprescription/herbal goods you may use, especially of: azithromycin, 'blood thinners' (e.g., warfarin), cholestyramine, colestipol, medications for HBP, another niacin & related goods (e.g., vitamin products, nicotinamide), other drugs which affect certain liver enzymes (CYP 3A4 substrates, inhibitors, and inducers such as amiodarone, cyclosporine, diltiazem, verapamil, rifampin, St. John's wort, carbamazepine). this product can affect the results about certain lab tests. Make sure laboratory personnel and your healthcare professionals know you use this medication. do not start or stop any medicine with-out healthcare professional or pharmacist approval.

Advicor Overdose: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include: fainting or irregular heartbeat.

Advicor special notes: do not share this medication with others. Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., blood cholesterol levels, liver function tests) should be performed periodically to monitor some your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor since more text. If you are diabetic, inform your doctor of any changes in blood sugar. for best results, this medication should be used along with exercise, a low-cholesterol/low-fat diet, & a weight loss program if you are overweight. Also to help reduce your risk about heart attacks & strokes, money youre blood pressure regularly, seek medical treatment if your blood pressure is high, & stop smoking. Consult youre healthcare professional for more details.

If you missed Advicor dose: If you miss dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of following dose, skip the missed dose & resume youre usual dosing schedule. do not double the dose to catch up.

Advicor Storage: Store at room temperature between 68 & 77 degrees F (20 & 25 degrees C) away from light & moisture. don't store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from kid & pets.

Active Ingredients : Lovastatin Niacin Extended-release