Niacin extended-release/lovastatin-oral

Before taking this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to niacin or lovastatin; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: liver disease, kidney disease, alcohol use, stomach/intestinal ulcer, bleeding problems (such as low platelets), low levels of phosphate in the blood, gout.Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).This drug may make you dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely.Limit alcoholic beverages. Daily use of alcohol may increase your risk for liver problems, especially when combined with this medication. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.To reduce the risk of dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position. This is especially important if you are also taking medication to lower your blood pressure.If you have diabetes, this medication may increase your blood sugar levels. Check your blood glucose levels regularly as directed by your doctor. Tell your doctor immediately if you have symptoms of high blood sugar such as increased thirst and urination. Your doctor may need to adjust your diabetes medication, exercise program, or diet.Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially muscle problems.This medication must not be used during pregnancy. Lovastatin may harm an unborn baby. Therefore, it is important to prevent pregnancy while taking this medication. Consult your doctor for more details and to discuss the use of reliable forms of birth control (such as condoms, birth control pills) while taking this medication. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor immediately.This medication passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

See also How to Use section.Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.Some products that may interact with this drug include: "blood thinners" (such as warfarin), gemfibrozil, vitamin or dietary products that contain niacin or nicotinamide.Other medications can affect the removal of lovastatin from your body, which may affect how lovastatin works. Examples include certain azole antifungals (such as itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole), colchicine, cyclosporine, delavirdine, dronedarone, macrolide antibiotics (such as clarithromycin, erythromycin), nefazodone, HIV protease inhibitors (such as lopinavir, ritonavir), a certain combination HIV medication (elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir), hepatitis C virus protease inhibitors (such as boceprevir, telaprevir), telithromycin, among others.Do not take any red yeast rice products while you are taking niacin/lovastatin since those products may also contain lovastatin. Taking niacin/lovastatin and red yeast rice products together can increase your risk of serious muscle and liver problems.This product may interfere with certain laboratory tests (such as urine or blood catecholamines, copper-based urine glucose tests). Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this medication.