What is Advicor?

Advicor is a combination medication is used along with a proper diet to help lower "bad" cholesterol and fats (such as LDL, triglycerides) and raise "good" cholesterol (HDL) in the blood. Niacin is also known as vitamin B3 (nicotinic acid), one of the B vitamins. It works by reducing the amount of cholesterol made by the liver and by helping the body remove fats from the blood. Lovastatin belongs to a group of drugs known as "statins." It works by reducing the amount of cholesterol made by the liver. This product is prescribed after the use of one drug (niacin or lovastatin) has not been fully successful at lowering cholesterol. In addition to eating a proper diet (such as a low-cholesterol/low-fat diet), other lifestyle changes that may help this medication work better include exercising, drinking less alcohol, losing weight if overweight, and stopping smoking. Consult your doctor for more details. Lowering "bad" cholesterol and triglycerides and raising "good" cholesterol decreases the risk of heart disease and helps prevent strokes and heart attacks. Lowering triglycerides in people with very high triglyceride blood levels may also decrease the risk of pancreas disease (pancreatitis).

Always read the patient information and instructions carefully before using this medication.

• Take this medication by mouth with a low-fat snack as directed by your doctor, usually once daily at bedtime. Taking this drug with food will increase its absorption and help reduce side effects (such as flushing, stomach upset).
• Do not crush or chew extended-release tablets. Doing so can release all of the drug at once, increasing the risk of side effects. Also, do not split the tablets unless they have a score line and your doctor or pharmacist tells you to do so. Swallow the whole or split tablet without crushing or chewing.
• To lessen the chance of flushing, avoid alcohol, hot beverages, and spicy foods near the time you take this medication. Taking a plain aspirin (non-enteric coated, 325 milligrams) or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (such as ibuprofen, 200 milligrams) 30 minutes before taking this medication may help prevent flushing. Ask your doctor if this treatment is right for you (especially if you are also taking a "blood thinner" such as warfarin).
• The niacin in this product is an extended-release form. Your doctor may instruct you to take the individual extended-release niacin first until you reach the right dose and then switch you over to this combination product. Niacin is also available in other formulations (such as immediate- and sustained-release). Do not switch other strengths, brands, or forms of niacin with this product because doing so may cause severe liver problems.
• The dosage is based on your medical condition, response to treatment, and other medications you may be taking. Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
• Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while using this medication unless your doctor instructs you otherwise. Grapefruit can increase the amount of this medication in your bloodstream. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
• If you also take certain other drugs to lower your cholesterol (bile acid-binding resins such as cholestyramine or colestipol), take this product at least 1 hour before or at least 4 hours after taking these medications. These products can react with this medication, preventing its full absorption.
• Take this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. Remember to take it at the same time each day. If you have not taken this medication for an extended period (more than 7 days), consult your doctor or pharmacist for instructions on restarting it. You may need to restart your medication at a lower dose and slowly increase the dose over several weeks.
• It is important to continue taking this medication even if you feel well. Most people with high cholesterol or triglycerides do not feel sick. It may take up to 4 weeks before you get the full benefit of this drug.

Make sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist:

• If you have any drug allergies.
• Which other prescription and non-prescription medications you currently take.
• Your medical history, especially of: liver disease, kidney disease, alcohol use, stomach/intestinal ulcer, bleeding problems (such as low platelets), low levels of phosphate in the blood, gout.
• Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

Also be aware that:

• This drug may make you dizzy. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis).
• Limit alcoholic beverages. Daily use of alcohol may increase your risk for liver problems, especially when combined with this medication. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
• To reduce the risk of dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position. This is especially important if you are also taking medication to lower your blood pressure.
• If you have diabetes, this medication may increase your blood sugar. Check your blood sugar regularly as directed and share the results with your doctor. Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of high blood sugar such as increased thirst/urination. Your doctor may need to adjust your diabetes medication, exercise program, or diet.
• Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially muscle problems.
• This medication must not be used during pregnancy. Lovastatin may harm an unborn baby. Therefore, it is important to prevent pregnancy while taking this medication. Consult your doctor for more details and to discuss the use of reliable forms of birth control (such as condoms, birth control pills) while taking this medication. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor right away.
• This medication passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Common side-effects may include but are not limited to:

• Flushing (warmth/redness/itching/tingling of the skin, especially of the face/neck), sweating, headache, dizziness, or chills may occur within 2 to 4 hours after taking this medication. Flushing may persist for a few hours. These effects should improve or go away after several weeks as your body adjusts to the medication. Stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea may also occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Contact your doctor if you experience any of the following side-effects:

• A very small number of people taking lovastatin may have mild memory problems or confusion. Rarely, statins may cause or worsen diabetes. If these rare effects occur, talk to your doctor.
• Toe/joint pain, fainting, swelling ankles/feet/hands, shortness of breath, fast heartbeat, easy bruising/bleeding, black/tarry stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
• Muscle pain/tenderness/weakness (especially with fever or unusual tiredness), signs of kidney problems (such as change in the amount of urine).
• Yellowing eyes/skin, dark urine, persistent nausea/vomiting, severe stomach/abdominal pain.
• Any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

Q: Can I drink alcohol while taking Advicor?

A: You should limit alcoholic beverages. Daily use of alcohol may increase your risk for liver problems, especially when combined with this medication. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Q: What is the strength of Advicor

A: Avicor comes in a strength of 500/20mg and 1000/20mg.