Niacin-Lovastatin - Talk Medical

Generic Name: lovastatin and niacin

Brands: Advicor

What is the most important information I should know about Niacin-Lovastatin?

· Contact you doctor immediately if you experience unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if it is accompanied by a fever, flu-like symptoms, or yellowing of the skin or eyes.

· Alcohol and Niacin-Lovastatin can both be harmful to the liver, especially when used together. Alcohol should be used only in moderation. Discuss the use of alcohol with your doctor so that the potential for adverse effects can be determined.

· Do not take Niacin-Lovastatin if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment, or if you are breast-feeding a baby.

· Dizziness may occur, especially when you rise from a sitting or lying position. Rise slowly and use caution when driving or performing other hazardous activities.

· Follow any diet and exercise plans outlined by your healthcare provider. Diet and exercise are important factors in controlling cholesterol levels.

What is Niacin-Lovastatin?

· Lovastatin blocks the production of cholesterol (a type of fat) in the body. Niacin, also known as nicotinic acid, is vitamin B3. It occurs naturally in plants and animals and is also added to many foods as a vitamin supplement. Niacin also blocks the production of cholesterol in the body.

· Together, Niacin-Lovastatin are used to reduce levels of LDL (or "bad") cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglycerides and to raise levels of "good" (HDL)cholesterol. These actions are important in the prevention of heart disease and hardening of the arteries, which can lead to heart attacks, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease.

· Niacin-Lovastatin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Niacin-Lovastatin?

· Do not take Niacin-Lovastatin without first talking to your doctor if you have a history of: ·liver disease or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); ·stomach ulcer; or ·arterial bleeding.

· Before taking Niacin-Lovastatin, tell your doctor if you: ·have kidney disease; ·drink alcoholic beverages; ·have heart disease, angina (chest pain), or a history of heart attack; ·have unexplained muscle pain or tenderness or a chronic muscular disease; ·have gallbladder disease; ·have diabetes; ·have gout; or ·need to have surgery.

· You may not be able to take Niacin-Lovastatin, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

· The combination of Niacin-Lovastatin is in the FDA pregnancy category X which means that it is known to be harmful to an unborn baby. Lovastatin is known to cause birth defects if used during pregnancy. Cholesterol is very important for the proper development of a baby. Do not take Niacin-Lovastatin if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

· It is not known whether Niacin-Lovastatin passes into breast milk. Do not take Niacin-Lovastatin without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take Niacin-Lovastatin?

· Take Niacin-Lovastatin exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

· Take each dose with a full glass of water.

· Do not crush, chew, or break the tablets. Swallow them whole. They are specially formulated to slowly release the medication into the body.

· For the greatest effect, Niacin-Lovastatin is usually taken at bedtime with a low-fat snack. Niacin-Lovastatin should not be taken on an empty stomach.

· Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with Niacin-Lovastatin. The interaction could lead to potentially dangerous effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit and grapefruit juice with your doctor. Do not increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your doctor. Do not take a dose of Niacin-Lovastatin with grapefruit juice.

· Flushing (redness, warmth, itching, and/or tingling) of the face, neck, and ears is a common side effect. Flushing usually lessens with continued use of the medication, however aspirin or a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug such as ibuprofen taken up to approximately 30 minutes before a dose of Niacin-Lovastatin, may be used to alleviate these symptoms. Taking the medication at bedtime may also be beneficial.

· To minimize flushing, avoid alcohol and hot drinks around the time you take Niacin-Lovastatin.

· Your doctor will probably want to monitor your liver function with blood tests before starting and during treatment with Niacin-Lovastatin. Depending on the results of these tests, your doctor can determine how much monitoring you will require.

· Follow any diet and exercise plans outlined by your healthcare provider. Diet and exercise are important factors in controlling cholesterol levels.

· Do not stop taking Niacin-Lovastatin without first talking to your doctor.

· If treatment with Niacin-Lovastatin is stopped for more than 7 days, see your doctor before restarting the medication. It may be necessary for you to restart with a lower strength of Niacin-Lovastatin.

· Store Niacin-Lovastatin at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

· Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose?

· Seek emergency medical attention.

· Symptoms of a Niacin-Lovastatin overdose include severe flushing, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach distress, dizziness, fainting, and indigestion.

What should I avoid while taking Niacin-Lovastatin?

· To minimize flushing, avoid alcohol and hot drinks around the time you take Niacin-Lovastatin.

· Tell your doctor about all other prescription medications and over-the-counter products you are taking, especially vitamins or other nutritional supplements containing niacin or related compounds such as nicotinamide.

· Dizziness may occur, especially when you rise from a sitting or lying position. Rise slowly and use caution when driving or performing other hazardous activities.

What are the possible side effects of Niacin-Lovastatin?

· If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Niacin-Lovastatin and seek emergency medical attention or call your doctor immediately: ·an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); ·unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness; ·"flu-like" symptoms, such as nausea, fever and a general feeling of discomfort; ·blurred vision; or ·dizziness.

· Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take Niacin-Lovastatin and talk to your doctor if you experience ·stomach upset, nausea, or vomiting; ·diarrhea; ·itching or rash; or ·headache.

· Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect Niacin-Lovastatin?

· Do not take Niacin-Lovastatin without first talking to your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines: ·cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral); ·gemfibrozil (Lopid); ·clofibrate (Atromid-S); ·fenofibrate (Tricor); ·nefazodone (Serzone); ·erythromycin (E-Mycin, E.E.S., Ery-Tab, Ilotycin, Eryc, PCE, Ilosone, others); ·clarithromycin (Biaxin); ·warfarin (Coumadin); ·a protease inhibitor such as amprenavir (Agenerase), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir), or saquinavir (Invirase, Fortovase). ·other cholesterol-lowering drugs such as cholestyramine (Questran) or colestipol (Colestid); or ·itraconazole (Sporanox) or ketoconazole (Nizoral).

· You may not be able to take Niacin-Lovastatin, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

· Tell your doctor about all other prescription medications and over-the-counter products you are taking, especially vitamins, herbs, or other nutritional supplements containing niacin or related compounds such as nicotinamide.

· Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Niacin-Lovastatin. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.

Where can I get more information?

· Your pharmacist has additional information about Niacin-Lovastatin written for health professionals that you may read.

Print this page