Medications and Drugs
Medical Editor: Jay Marks, M.D.
GENERIC NAME: niacin and lovastatin
BRAND NAME: Advicor
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Advicor is an oral drug that
is used for lowering cholesterol levels. It is a combination of extended-release
niacin and lovastatin. It reduces blood levels of total cholesterol, low density
lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides and increases blood levels of
high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. For
further information, please see the individual monographs for niacin and lovastatin
.
PRESCRIPTION: Yes.
GENERIC AVAILABLE: No.
PREPARATIONS: Tablets: 500/20 and 1000/20 mg niacin/mg lovastatin
STORAGE: Store at room
temperature between 20-25°C (68-77°F).
PRESCRIBED FOR: Advicor is used for treating elevated blood levels of total
cholesterol, LDL ("bad") cholesterol, and triglycerides, and for raising low
levels of HDL ("good") cholesterol.
DOSING: The recommended
starting dose for Advicor is one tablet
(500/20 mg). Doses can be increased by 500 mg of niacin every 4 weeks based on
the response of the blood cholesterol level. Doses greater than 2000/40 mg are
not recommended. Individuals already stabilized on niacin extended-release
tablets can be directly switched to the niacin equivalent dose of Advicor.
Individuals taking extended-release niacin and lovastatin separately can be
switched to an equivalent dose of Advicor. Other forms of niacin (e.g.,
sustained-release, timed-release or immediate-release) are not equivalent to
extended-release niacin in Advicor. Therefore, Advicor is not interchangeable
with these niacin preparations, and patients taking these preparations should be
switched and stabilized on extended-release niacin before switching to Advicor.
Advicor should be administered at bedtime since there is evidence that at
least some drugs in the same class as lovastatin lower cholesterol more when
taken at night than in the morning. If Advicor causes nausea it may be taken
with a snack. If Advicor is discontinued for longer than 7 days, therapy should
be resumed at the lowest dose.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Please
see the individual monographs for niacin and lovastatin
.
PREGNANCY: Advicor should not be administered to pregnant women because
lovastatin can be harmful to the fetus. Niacin has not been evaluated in
pregnant women at doses used for treating levels of cholesterol and
triglycerides.
NURSING MOTHERS: Niacin in Advicor is excreted in breast milk and may cause
side effects if ingested by the infant.
SIDE EFFECTS: Please see the
individual monographs for niacin
and lovastatin .
References: Advicor Full Prescribing Information, 2004. Kos
Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Miami, FL 33131
Reference: FDA Prescribing Information
Last Editorial Review: 9/6/2005
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
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