Niaspan (Niacin Extended Release)

What is Niaspan?

Niaspan is an extended-release medicine of niacin. It is an antihyperlipidemic agent which is used orally.

What is Niaspan used for?

Niaspan is used for limiting the cholesterol levels in body, thereby, preventing any kind of problem that can occur due to excessive level of cholesterol in blood. It can also be used for treating an increased risk of atherosclerotic vascular disease, which occurs due to hyperlipidemia.

How does Niaspan work?

Prescribed along with low fat and low cholesterol diet, Niaspan works by reducing the high level of the blood cholesterol in body.

How to use Niaspan

Niaspan is recommended to be taken at bedtime, after taking a low-fat snack. The doses are directed according to the patient’s response, so it is important that you adhere to the directions.

It is forbidden to take Niaspan empty bellied. Do not increase the daily dose of the medicine by more than 500 mg in a time period of 4 weeks. In this way, the possible side effects associated with Niaspan can be warded off.

Niaspan warnings and precautions

It is advised not to replace the Niaspan doses with niacin. In case you want to switch between the two, make sure that you start with smaller doses.

Patients suffering from unstable angina or acute phase of an MI should avoid taking this medicine, especially, if these patients are taking vasoactive drugs.

As Niaspan is metabolized by liver and excreted by the kidneys, it is suggested that you should be extra cautious, if you have some renal impairment. Let the physician prescribing the drug know all about your past medical history.

During the Niaspan therapy, you should get it checked from time to time, whether you suffer from jaundice, hepatobiliary disease or peptic ulcer.

Pregnant or lactating females should seek expert guidance to avoid any possible problem that may affect both the child and the mother.

What do I do if I have missed a Niaspan dose?

If you have missed your Niaspan dose you should not take two doses at a time to compensate the missed one. Stay with the instructed schedule of taking the medicine.

What do I do if I have taken a Niaspan overdose?

If you have taken a Niaspan overdose, you should consult the respective doctor who has prescribed the medicine.

Niaspan interactions

Niaspan is not a good combination if taken with any of the statin drugs like atorvastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin, or simvastatin. The drug interaction can cause serious damage to your muscles.

Niaspan’s effects are disturbed by the cholesterol-lowering drugs called bile acid sequestrants. The only way to avert such situations is to take both the drugs after sufficient time gap of at least 4 to 6 hours.

Taking any nutritional supplements, while taking Niaspan, is also not recommended, until you are allowed by your doctor.

Niaspan side effects

The side effects of Niaspan vary from person to person and your physician, who has all the records of your medical history, can be the best predictor of any possible side effect.

If during the prescribed period, you start experiencing some of the side effects, it is important for you to contact your doctor for altering the intensity of doses.

Some other side effects that have been reported include abdominal pain, diarrhea, fainting, headache, nasal inflammation, nausea, fast heartbeat, shortness of breath, swelling because of fluid retention and vomiting. If these symptoms persist, let your doctor know about them immediately.