Advicor, also known as niacin-lovastatin, is a medication used to help lower “bad” cholesterol levels, including triglycerides and LDL. This drug also raises the “good” cholesterol in the blood, which is called HDL. This drug is often prescribed after unsuccessful use of niacin or lovastatin to lower cholesterol. Advicor is prescribed alongside other cholesterol drugs as well as a healthy diet and exercise plan.

How does Advicor work?

Niacin is also known as vitamin B3 and works by reducing the amount of cholesterol made by the liver and helps the body remove fats from the blood. Lovastatin also works by reducing the amount of cholesterol made by the liver.

Make sure to always read the patient information and instructions before using this medication. Always follow your doctor’s directions.

• Take this drug by mouth
• This drug is usually taken at bedtime
• Advicor is usually taken with food because it increases the absorption of the drug and helps reduce side effects
• Do not crush, chew, or split the tablets
• Avoid alcohol and spicy foods to lessen the chance of flushing
• Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while taking this drug because grapefruit increases the amount of medication in the bloodstream
• If you are taking other drugs to lower your cholesterol (cholestyramine or colestipol) wait at least 1 hour before taking these drugs or wait at least 4 hours after taking Advicor
• Take this drug regularly to get the most benefit

Tell your doctor and pharmacist:

• If you have an allergy to niacin or lovastatin
• If you have a medical history of liver disease, kidney disease, alcohol use, stomach ulcers, bleeding problems, and low levels of phosphate in the blood, or gout.
• If you regularly drink alcohol or consume cannabis. This drug may make you dizzy, so your doctor may recommend limiting your consumption of alcoholic beverages and cannabis.
• If you have diabetes because this drug may increase your blood sugar

Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of Advicor.

Common side effects of Advicor include but are not limited to:

• Flushing of the face or neck
• Sweating
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Chills may occur after taking this medication
• Stomach upset
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

Get medical help if you have any of the following side effects.

• Mild memory problems
• Statins may rarely worsen diabetes
• Muscle pain/tenderness/weakness
• Signs of kidney problems (change in the amount of the urine)
• Liver problems (yellowing eyes, dark urine)
• Persistent nausea or vomiting

Can you take Advicor while pregnant?

This medication must NOT be used during pregnancy. Lovastatin may harm an unborn baby, so consult your doctor to discuss reliable forms of birth control while taking Advicor. This medication also passes into breast milk, which may have an undesirable effect on a nursing infant. Talk to your doctor if you are breast-feeding or planning to become pregnant.