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Lipitor vs. Niaspan

What Drugs Interact With Lipitor?

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use. Certain other drugs can increase your risk of serious muscle problems, and it is very important that your doctor knows if you are using any of them:

Also tell your doctor if you use:

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with lovastatin. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

What Drugs Interact With Niaspan?

Niaspan may interact with other cholesterol-lowering drugs and heart or blood pressure medications.

Niaspan may also interact with blood thinners and multivitamins or mineral supplements that contain niacin.

 

How Should Lipitor Be Taken?

Take Lipitor exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not change your dose or stop Lipitor without talking to your doctor. Your doctor may do blood tests to check your cholesterol levels during your treatment with Lipitor. Your dose of Lipitor may be changed based on these blood test results.

Take Lipitor each day at any time of day at about the same time each day. Lipitor can be taken with or without food.

Don't break Lipitor tablets before taking.

Your doctor should start you on a low-fat diet before giving you Lipitor. Stay on this low-fat diet when you take Lipitor.

If you miss a dose of Lipitor, take it as soon as you remember. Do not take Lipitor if it has been more than 12 hours since you missed your last dose. Wait and take the next dose at your regular time.

Do not take 2 doses of Lipitor at the same time.

If you take too much Lipitor or overdose, call your doctor or Poison Control Center right away. Or go to the nearest emergency room.

How Should Niaspan Be Taken?

Niaspan is available as a tablet or an extended-release tablet to be taken orally. It should be taken at bedtime, after a low-fat snack. Doses should be individualized according to patient response. Therapy with Niaspan must be initiated at 500 mg at night to reduce the incidence and severity of side effects that may occur during early treatment.