Advicor

[Superbob]

Went to a new PCP, who made the first changes in my meds the past two years. He took me off Caduet (a combined cholesterol and blood pressure controller) because he said it had undesirable effects for diabetics (first I'd heard that).

To replace it, he increased my dosage of Lisinopril, an ACE inhibitor, AND...

Started me on Advicor, a niacin extended-release lovastatin. I am supposed to start the Advicor tonight. Its main touted benefit (in my case) is raising "good cholesterol" (mine is a few points low).

A common side effect, though, especially at first, is a flushing, redness, warmth, itching, or tingling sensation on face, neck, chest, or back.

I was wondering if anyone here had gone on Advicor and found the benefits to out-weigh the annoyances -- or not. Thanks.

 

[kodi]

Flushing is a normal reaction from Niacin. Years ago trying to stay away from prescriptions to lower my cholesterol I took 3000 mg a day. Sometimes I got flushed, itchy and all the other things, sometimes it didn't bother me at all. After a while the body gets used to it and the annoyances go away.
Good luck with it and I hope it works the way it is intended.

 

[Superbob]

Thanks very much. That sounds not too bad. Hopefully the benefits will come with time. I never set out to take as much medicine as I do, but I guess I'm stuck with a good bit of it for the duration. Just hope to have the right combination of them.

 

[Superbob]

Advicor is an Aphrodiasiac --- Not!

Advicor is an Aphrodiasiac --- Not!

Well, I am assuming Advicor is not a medicine being prescribed to many on here, or at any rate not a medicine causing many unpleasant side effects, given that Kodi provided the sole reply (and thanks for that, Kodi). Or maybe others have had bad experiences but just didn't want to scare me.

Anyway, I will just vent a little bit. One of the cautions the drug company distributed was that Advicor "may increase your fasting blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, report any changes in blood sugar to your doctor."

Well, sure enough, after taking it last night for the first time, my pre-breakfast blood sugar was up 15 points over my normal reading
I guess I'll give it a few more days, and if it the blood sugar readings stay elevated, I will call and say something like, "Hey, Doc, I have worked hard to bring my blood sugar down below the danger level, and I don't want to sacrifice all that just to bring my HDL (good) cholesterol up a few points. Why can't we just dispense with this medicine and see where the readings go just relying on diet and exercise."

My cholesterol overall is good: 63 for the "bad" cholesterol, compared to a target of less than 130. My HDL, though, is around 30, when "optimally," it ought to be greater than 39. Is that a big deal? I doubt it.

This is one of the maddening things about the "miracle" meds. They affect something for the positive, only to inflict a countervailing negative.

Okay, this is the end of my rant. Obviously, few are interested in issues of Advicor. Maybe I should slip in something like: ADVICOR IS AN APHRODISIAC ---- Makes you crazy for sex, sex, SEX! Betcha this thread would heat up then....

 

[Phyllis]

Bob, I'm with you - I think suggesting to your doctor that diet and exercise may be a good solution is a wonderful idea!