Information About Advicor

Common uses
Advicor is a B-complex vitamin and HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor combination used to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels in your blood. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your physician.

Prior to Use
Be aware that pre-existing medical conditions, or taking additional medications could interfere with the effectiveness of this one. Let your physician or pharmacist know about any other medications -- prescription or over-the-counter -- that you are using. If you are taking any of the following, do not use Advicor: gemfibrozil, certain HIV protease inhibitors (such as nelfinavir, lopinavir, or ritonavir), macrolide antibiotics (such as erythromycin, clarithromycin, or troleandomycin), or nefazodone. If you are currently taking any of these medicines, tell your physician or pharmacist before starting to take Advicor. If you are taking any of the following, your dose or condition may need regular supervision: amiodarone, "blood thinners" (such as warfarin), fibrates (such as clofibrate or fenofibrate), bosentan, cimetidine, cyclosporine, diltiazem, fluconazole, imatinib, spironolactone, verapamil, dalfopristin, quinupristin, voriconazole, or St. John's wort. If you are taking any of the following, your dose or condition may need regular supervision: high doses of niacin (1 gram or more per day). 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 physician for more details. Do not start or stop any medicine without physician or pharmacist approval. Inform your physician of any other medical conditions, including heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, gout, alcohol use, muscle problems, any allergies (especially to other "statin" medicines), pregnancy, or breast-feeding. You should not take Advicor if you have liver disease, abnormal liver function test results, peptic ulcer disease, or serious bleeding conditions. Certain medical conditions, including low blood pressure; severe infection; uncontrolled seizures; or serious metabolic, endocrine, or electrolyte problems may increase your risk for side effects that can result in kidney problems while taking Advicor. Contact your physician if you develop one of these conditions. If you have questions or concerns about Advicor, be sure to let your physician or pharmacist know.

Instructions for Use
Follow your physician's instructions for taking Advicor. If you take 1 dose daily, take it at bedtime with a low-fat snack unless directed otherwise by your physician. Swallow whole Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing. Dosage is based on your medical condition, response to therapy, and use of certain interacting medicines. Consult your physician or pharmacist for more details. Advicor is only recommended if you have taken either lovastatin or long-acting niacin alone before and may need to further reduce your cholesterol and/or triglyceride levels. Tell your physician if you have not taken either lovastatin or long-acting niacin before starting treatment with Advicor. Also tell your physician if you have been taking a short-acting form of niacin before you begin taking Advicor. It is recommended that you take long-acting niacin for several weeks before using Advicor so your body can adjust to its effects. Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice at the same time you take Advicor. Avoid drinking alcohol or hot drinks before taking Advicor to reduce the risk of an uncomfortable side effect caused by niacin (flushing). Taking non-enteric coated aspirin or an aspirin-like medicine (such as NSAIDs including ibuprofen or naproxen) 30 minutes before taking Advicor may help reduce the risk of this side effect. Store Advicor at room temperature between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C) away from heat and light. Should you skip or forget a dose of Advicor, begin using it immediately. If it is almost time for your next dose, omit the skipped dose and continue to follow your original dosing schedule. Never take more than one dose at the same time.

Warnings
Do not use Advicor if you have had an allergic reaction to it or are allergic to any ingredient in this product. It may take several weeks for Advicor to work. Do not stop using Advicor without checking with your physician. Laboratory and/or medical tests, including liver function tests and blood cholesterol levels, may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. Keep all physician and laboratory appointments while you are taking Advicor. Before having any kind of surgery, tell your physician that you are taking Advicor. Daily use of alcohol may increase your chance for serious side effects. Limit alcoholic beverages. Eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while you are taking Advicor may increase the amount of Advicor in your blood, which may increase your risk for serious side effects. Talk with your physician before including grapefruit or grapefruit juice in your diet while you are taking Advicor. Before you begin taking any new medicine, either prescription or over-the-counter, consult your pharmacist or physician . Women, do not use Advicor if you are pregnant. Be sure to consult your physician if you think you might be pregnant immediately. It is recommended that women of childbearing age use effective birth control measures while taking this drug since lovastatin may cause fetal harm. Advicor is excreted in breast milk. You should not breast-feed if you are using Advicor.

Potential Side Effects
Side effects you may experience while using Advicor include headache, flushing, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, gas, or stomach upset. Consult your physician if they do not go away or if they bring you difficulties. Contact your physician immediately if you experience rash; joint pain; muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness (especially if associated with fever and a general feeling of discomfort); stomach pain; unusual tiredness/fatigue; chest pain; swelling in the arms or legs; dizziness; changes in taste; yellowing eyes or skin; dark urine; change in amount of urine; increased thirst; or black stools. An allergic reaction to Advicor is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, or trouble breathing. Let your physician, pharmacist, or nurse know if you experience any side-effects not listed here.

Drug interactions
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job.

In Case of Overdose
Contact a poison control center or visit an emergency room immediately, if you think you have overdosed. Indications of an overdose are severe vomiting, severe flushing/sweating, or irregular heartbeat.

Additional information
For best results, Advicor should be used along with exercise, a low-cholesterol/low-fat diet, and a weight loss program if you are overweight. Follow the dietary plan provided by your physician. Do not let anyone else use Advicor. Do not take Advicor to treat health conditions other than what it was prescribed for. Store this and all medication away from the reach of children and pets. If using Advicor for an extended period of time, obtain refills before your supply runs out.