Advicor (Lovastatin) - Summary

ADVICOR SUMMARY

ADVICOR contains niacin extended-release and lovastatin in combination. Niacin, a B-complex vitamin, and lovastatin, an inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, are both lipid-altering agents.

ADVICOR is a fixed-dose combination product and is not indicated for initial therapy (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION). Therapy with lipid-altering agents should be only one component of multiple risk-factor intervention in individuals at significantly increased risk for atherosclerotic vascular disease due to hypercholesterolemia. Initial medical therapy is indicated with a single agent as an adjunct to diet when the response to a diet restricted in saturated fat and cholesterol and other nonpharmacologic measures alone has been inadequate (see also Table 7 and the NCEP treatment guidelines¹).

ADVICOR is indicated for the treatment of primary hypercholesterolemia (heterozygous familial and nonfamilial) and mixed dyslipidemia (Frederickson Types IIa and IIb; Table 6) in:

• Patients treated with lovastatin who require further TG-lowering or HDL-raising who may benefit from having niacin added to their regimen
• Patients treated with niacin who require further LDL-lowering who may benefit from having lovastatin added to their regimen

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Media Articles Related to Advicor (Lovastatin)

UCLA Researchers Reconstitute Enzyme That Synthesizes Cholesterol Drug Lovastatin
Source: Cholesterol News From Medical News Today [2009.11.05]
Researchers from the UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science have for the first time successfully reconstituted in the laboratory the enzyme responsible for producing the blockbuster cholesterol-lowering drug lovastatin. The research, published Oct. 23 in the journal Science, could potentially lead to the development of other compounds with similarly beneficial effects.

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Published Studies Related to Advicor (Lovastatin)

Effect of folate supplementation on serum homocysteine and plasma total antioxidant capacity in hypercholesterolemic adults under lovastatin treatment: a double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial. [2009.07]
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Hypercholesterolemia is one of the predisposing factors of cardiovascular diseases. A positive correlation of homocysteine (Hcy) concentration with total cholesterol is described. Lovastatin, one of the most administered agents in hypercholesterolemia, is not effective in lowering the level of serum Hcy and increasing serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC). This study was performed to evaluate the effects of folate supplementation on lowering Hcy level and changes of TAC in asymptomatic hypercholesterolemic adults under lovastatin treatment... CONCLUSIONS: Folate supplementation decreases the serum level of Hcy and increases TAC. It seems that a pharmacological dose of folate supplementation could potentially decrease the risk of cardiovascular diseases by reducing serum level of Hcy in adults with hypercholesterolemia.

Antiretroviral effect of lovastatin on HIV-1-infected individuals without highly active antiretroviral therapy (The LIVE study): a phase-II randomized clinical trial. [2009.06.18]
BACKGROUND: Highly active antiretroviral therapy produces a significant decrease in HIV-1 replication and allows an increase in the CD4 T-cell count, leading to a decrease in the incidence of opportunistic infections and mortality. However, the cost, side effects and complexity of antiretroviral regimens have underscored the immediate need for additional therapeutic approaches.

The comparative bioavailability of an extended-release niacin and lovastatin fixed dose combination tablet versus extended-release niacin tablet, lovastatin tablet and a combination of extended-release niacin tablet and lovastatin tablet. [2007.09]
Lovastatin and extended-release (ER) niacin in a fixed dose combination (Advicor) is approved for the treatment of dyslipidemia. Since both drugs are extensively metabolized, this study investigated the bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of their co-administration following single-dose administration...

Moderate alcohol consumption and safety of lovastatin and warfarin among men: the post-coronary artery bypass graft trial. [2006.05]
CONCLUSION: Moderate drinking did not adversely influence the safety of low-dose warfarin or even high-dose lovastatin among men in this randomized trial, as measured by INR and ALT levels.

Plasma clearance of lovastatin versus chinese red yeast rice in healthy volunteers. [2005.12]
Objectives: It is now accepted that inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis is effective in the primary and secondary prevention of heart disease. However, the perceived side-effects on muscle and liver reduce the general acceptance of statin drug therapy as well as compliance over the long term, which is necessary for prevention efforts to be successful...

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Clinical Trials Related to Advicor (Lovastatin)

The Dose Response of Niacin ER/Lovastatin on Peak Walking Time (PWT) in Patients With Intermittent Claudication - TROPIC [Completed]
The purpose of this study is to compare the dose response and safety of Niacin ER/Lovastatin, Niaspan® and Lovastatin with each other, in subjects with leg pain caused by a narrowing of their leg arteries.

At least 870 subjects, with leg pain caused by a narrowing of their leg arteries will take part in this study.

Both Niaspan and lovastatin (Mevacor®) are approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat high cholesterol. Niacin ER/Lovastatin (Advicor®), a combination of these two drugs, is also approved by the FDA to treat high cholesterol. The use of Niacin ER/Lovastatin to treat narrowing of leg arteries and relieve “intermittent claudication” (leg pain caused by narrowing of the arteries in the leg) is considered investigational. An investigational use is one that is not approved by the FDA.

Effect of Niacin ER/Lovastatin on Peak Walking Time & Claudication Onset Time in Patients With Intermittent Claudication [Completed]
The purpose of this study is to evaluate if Niacin ER/Lovastatin, at two different doses, compared to diet control (this group will receive a tablet containing 50 mg. of immediate-release niacin) is a safe and effective medicine in subjects with leg pain caused by a narrowing of their leg arteries, a condition called intermittent claudication.

At least 366 subjects with leg pain caused by a narrowing of their leg arteries will participate in this study.

Niacin ER/Lovastatin is a combination of two FDA (United States Food and Drug Administration) approved cholesterol modifying medications: Niaspan® (extended-release niacin) and lovastatin, a statin (the same medicine found in Mevacor®). Niacin ER/Lovastatin was approved by the FDA under the name of Advicor® for use in the treatment of elevated cholesterol. The use of Niacin ER/Lovastatin in the treatment of peripheral arterial disease and symptomatic relief of intermittent claudication is considered investigational. An investigational use is one that is not approved by the FDA.

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