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Advicor |
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What is Advicor and why is it prescribed? Advicor is a cholesterol-lowering drug. Excess cholesterol in the bloodstream can lead to hardening of the arteries and heart disease. Advicor lowers total cholesterol and LDL ("bad") cholesterol, while raising the amount of HDL ("good") cholesterol. Advicor is a combination of two cholesterol-fighting ingredients, extended-release niacin and lovastatin (Mevacor). It is prescribed only when other drugs and a program of diet, exercise, and weight reduction have been unsuccessful in lowering cholesterol levels. Advicor will be more effective if it is taken as part of a program of diet, exercise, and weight loss. How should you take Advicor? Follow your doctors directions for taking Advicor. Advicor should be taken at bedtime, with a low-fat snack. Do not take Advicor on an empty stomach. Advicor is an extended-release medication. Swallow the tablets whole. Do not break, chew, or crush the tablets. If you stop taking Advicor for more than a week, check with your doctor, you may need to gradually build up your dosage again. If you miss a dose take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take two doses at once. Store Advicor at room temperature. Are there any Advicor side effects? Advicor side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. More common Advicor side effects may include abdominal pain, back pain, diarrhea, flu-like symptoms, flushing, headache, high blood sugar, indigestion, infection, itching, muscle pain, nausea, pain, rash, vomiting, and weakness. Other possible Advicor side effects may include allergic reaction, anxiety, chest pain, chills, constipation, darkening of skin color, decreased sex drive, difficulty sleeping, dizziness, dry mouth, dry skin, enlarged breasts in men, eye irritation, fainting, gas, general feeling of unwellness, gout, hair loss, heartbeat irregularities, hives, inflammation of pancreas, impotence, joint pain, liver disorders, loss of appetite, low blood pressure, memory loss, mental changes, migraine, muscle cramps, muscle disorders, nerve disorders, runny nose, shortness of breath, skin and nail changes, sweating, swelling, tingling, tremor, ulcers, vertigo, vision disorders, and yellowing of skin and eyes. What are the possible food and drug interactions when taking Advicor? If Advicor is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. Be sure to inform your doctor of all the prescription and over the counter medications you are taking. Avoid drinking large amounts of grapefruit juice (more than a quart a day) while on Advicor therapy. It can increase the risk of muscle wasting. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Advicor with Antifungal drugs (such as Sporanox and Nizoral), Blood pressure medications (such as Inderal, Lopressor, and Tenormin), Calcium channel blockers (such as Norvasc, Plendil, and Procardia), Cholesterol-lowering drugs called fibrates (such as Lopid and Atromid), Cimetidine (Tagamet), Clarithromycin (Biaxin), Cyclosporine (Sandimmune), Erythromycin (E.E.S., Erythrocin), HIV protease inhibitors (such as Viracept and Norvir), Nefazodone (Serzone), Nitroglycerin (Nitro-Bid, Nitro-Dur, Nitrostat), Nutritional supplements containing niacin or nicotinamide, Spironolactone (Aldactone), or Warfarin (Coumadin). Are there any special warnings about Advicor? Advicor can cause liver problems. Your doctor will test your liver function before you start taking this medication, then every 6 to 12 weeks for the first 6 months after you begin therapy, and every 6 months thereafter. If the tests reveal a problem, you may have to stop taking Advicor. Individuals who regularly drink alcohol or have a history of liver disease should use this drug with caution. Avoid Advicor completely if you currently have liver disease. The extended-release niacin in Advicor is not interchangeable with immediate-release niacin. Substituting doses of extended release niacin for immediate-release niacin can cause severe liver damage. Drugs like Advicor may trigger a muscle-wasting condition that also can affect the kidneys. The risk is increased if Advicor is taken with certain drugs or grapefruit juice. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness. You may have to stop taking Advicor. Use Advicor with caution if you have kidney disease, gout, or the chest pain of angina. Advicor may cause flushing. This side effect usually goes away after taking the medication for several weeks. Flushing can be accompanied by dizziness, fainting, heartbeat irregularities, chills, shortness of breath, or swelling. Notify your doctor if you experience dizziness. If you awaken because of flushing, rise slowly to avoid dizziness and fainting. Taking aspirin or ibuprofen before taking Advicor may help decrease the flushing. Avoid drinking alcohol or hot drinks near the time you take Advicor, these can increase flushing. If you have diabetes, Advicor may affect your blood sugar levels. Tell your doctor if you note any changes. Advicor can cause abnormalities in the blood. If you are scheduled for surgery, your doctor will have you stop taking Advicor a few days before the operation. Tell your doctor if you are taking any nutritional supplements that contain niacin. Advicor is not recommended for children. |
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Information on this website is provided for educational purposes and should not replace discussions with your doctor. |
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