Advicor Oral
In Depth
- Uses and How to Use
- Dosage and Storage
- Precautions and Side Effects
- Drug Interactions
- Drug Images
Pronounced: (NYE-a-sin/LOW-vuh-stat-in)
Advicor Oral Uses
This 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).
How To Use Advicor Oral
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).
