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Directions:
Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. IF YOU TAKE 1 DOSE DAILY, take it at bedtime with a low-fat snack unless directed otherwise by your doctor. SWALLOW WHOLE. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing. Dosage is based on your medical condition, response to therapy, and use of certain interacting medicines. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details, since many of the medicines listed in the Before Using section may increase the chances of muscle injury when used with this medicine. This medicine is only recommended if you have taken either lovastatin or long-acting niacin alone before and may need to further reduce your cholesterol and/or triglyceride levels. Tell your doctor if you have not taken either lovastatin or long-acting niacin before starting treatment with this medicine. Also tell your doctor if you have been taking a short-acting form of niacin before you begin taking this medicine. It is recommended that you take long-acting niacin for several weeks before using this medicine so your body can adjust to its effects. AVOID EATING GRAPEFRUIT OR DRINKING GRAPEFRUIT JUICE while taking this medicine. AVOID drinking alcohol or hot drinks before taking this medicine to reduce the risk of an uncomfortable side effect caused by niacin (flushing). Taking non-enteric coated aspirin or an aspirin-like medicine (e.g., NSAIDs like ibuprofen or naproxen) 30 minutes before taking this medicine may help reduce the risk of this side effect. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C) away from heat and light. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
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Cautions:
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medication includes chills, diarrhea, flu syndrome (such as, chills, diarrhea, fever, general feeling of discomfort or illness, headache, joint pain, loss of appetite, muscle aches and pains, nausea, runny nose, shivering, sore throat, sweating, trouble sleeping, unusual tiredness or weakness, vomiting), flushing (such as, feeling of warmth, redness, itching, and/or tingling of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest), edema (such as, swelling), headache, nausea, pruritus (such as, itching skin), rash, shortness of breath, sweating, syncope (such as, feeling faint or fainting) and tachycardia (such as, fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse).
IT MAY TAKE SEVERAL WEEKS for this medicine to work. Do not stop using this medicine without checking with your doctor. FOLLOW THE DIETARY PLAN provided by your doctor. Daily use of alcohol may increase your chance for serious side effects. Limit alcoholic beverages. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS while you are using this medicine. BEFORE HAVING ANY KIND OF SURGERY, tell your doctor that you are taking this medicine. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. FOR WOMEN DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE if you are pregnant. IF YOU SUSPECT THAT YOU COULD BE PREGNANT, contact your doctor immediately. It is recommended that women of childbearing age use effective birth control measures while taking this drug since lovastatin may cause fetal harm. THIS MEDICINE IS EXCRETED in breast milk. DO NOT BREAST-FEED while taking this medicine.
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