Advicor Information:

Advicor (Niacin/Lovastatin) cholesterol medication (Niacin/Lovastatin combination) is a fixed-dose combination product and Advicor (Niacin/Lovastatin) is not indicated for initial therapy. Therapy with lipid-altering agents should be only one component of multiple risk-factor intervention in individuals at significantly increased risk for atherosclerotic vascular disease due to hypercholesterolemia. Initial medical therapy is indicated with a single agent as an adjunct to diet when the response to a diet restricted in saturated fat and cholesterol and other nonpharmacologic measures alone has been inadequate.

(Advicor (Niacin/Lovastatin) is indicated for the treatment of primary hypercholesterolemia (heterozygous familial and nonfamilial) and mixed dyslipidemia.

Patients treated with lovastatin who require further TG-lowering or HDL-raising who may benefit from having niacin added to their regimen. Patients treated with niacin who require further LDL-lowering who may benefit from having lovastatin added to their regimen.

Advicor (Niacin/Lovastatin) should be taken at bedtime, with a low-fat snack, and the dose should be individualized according to patient response. Advicor (Niacin/Lovastatin) tablets should be taken whole and should not be broken, crushed, or chewed before swallowing. The dose of Advicor (Niacin/Lovastatin) should not be increased by more than 500 mg daily (based on the Niacin component) every 4 weeks. The lowest dose of Advicor (Niacin/Lovastatin) is 500 mg/20 mg. Doses of Advicor (Niacin/Lovastatin) greater than 2000 mg/40 mg daily are not recommended. If Advicor (Niacin/Lovastatin) therapy is discontinued for an extended period (>7 days), reinstitution of therapy should begin with the lowest dose of cholesterol medication Advicor (Niacin/Lovastatin).

Advicor Side Effects:

Side effects by cholesterol medication may include any of the following: Muscle aches, muscle weakness, or muscle tenderness. Rare cases of a serious muscle disorder have been reported when niacin is taken in combination with a statin drug, such as lovastatin. Tell your healthcare provider immediately if you have any of these symptoms.

Q: What is flushing?
A: The niacin in Advicor (Niacin/Lovastatin) often causes flushing, a redness, warmth, itching, and/or tingling of the skin. You may feel it in your face, neck, chest, and/or back. This common reaction is caused by an expansion of small blood vessels close to the surface of the skin. Most patients taking Advicor (Niacin/Lovastatin) will experience flushing. In most patients, flushing is mild to moderate. In some patients, flushing may be more intense. Additional symptoms may include a rapid or pronounced heartbeat, chills, sweating, swelling or dizziness, and on rare occasions, fainting. Flushing is common and temporary. If you experience it, here's what you need to know: If you flush, it's likely to happen during the first four weeks of treatment. Flushing usually starts about two to four hours after you take Advicor (Niacin/Lovastatin). Flushing may last up to several hours. If you flush, try not to panic or feel anxious. Advicor (Niacin/Lovastatin) should be taken at bedtime. You might sleep through any flushing that happens. However, if the flushing wakes you up and you wish to get out of bed, take your time to get up slowly. This is especially important if you start to feel faint or dizzy, or if you take blood pressure medication. Remember, your healthcare provider has put you on Advicor (Niacin/Lovastatin) to improve your lipid levels. The following tips on how and when to take Advicor (Niacin/Lovastatin) will make your experience easier. Q: What can I do to help control flushing? A: Follow these tips for how to take Advicor (Niacin/Lovastatin). Ask your healthcare provider if you have questions about any of these tips. DO (with your healthcare provider's approval) take an uncoated aspirin, ibuprofen, or other non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory up to 30 minutes before taking Advicor (Niacin/Lovastatin). DO take cholesterol medication Advicor (Niacin/Lovastatin) at bedtime every night. DO take cholesterol medication Advicor (Niacin/Lovastatin) with a low fat snack, such as a banana or crackers with a glass of low-fat milk. DON'T drink alcoholic beverages or hot drinks around the time you take cholesterol medication Advicor (Niacin/Lovastatin). DON'T eat spicy foods around the time you take cholesterol medication Advicor (Niacin/Lovastatin). DON'T break, crush, or chew cholesterol medication Advicor (Niacin/Lovastatin) tablets.