Learn about Niaspan including facts, benefits of Niaspan in daily practice and potential side effects of Niaspan. NIASPAN is an extended release form of nicotinic acid also known as niacin. Niacin therapeutically is an antihyperlipidemic agent. It is used in patients with abnormal cholesterol levels. It reduces LDL (low-Density Lipoprotein) cholesterol otherwise referred to as the ‘bad’ cholesterol and triglycerides and increases HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein) cholesterol otherwise referred to as the ‘good’ cholesterol. By bringing about reduction in the bad cholesterol it reduces the risk of heart attack, treats the hardening of the arteries and reduces high serum triglyceride levels.
NIASPAN is a mild orange film coated tablet manufactured for the purpose of oral administration and is available in niacin concentrations of 500, 750 and 1000mg. These tablets also contain inactive constituents such as hypromellose, povidone, stearic acid and polyethylene glycol along with coloring agents like FD&C yellow/sunset yellow FCF Aluminum Lake, synthetic red and yellow iron oxides and titanium dioxide. The doses vary with time and doctor’s prescription is advised. The intake of these tablets may be associated together with a low-fat snack. Drinking hot fluids like hot tea or coffee may bring about unnecessary side effects. Any sort of crushing, chewing or breaking of the tablets is strictly prohibited since it might disrupt the way nicotinic acid is distributed in the body.
Benefits of Niaspan
It is known to reduce elevated levels of TC (Total Cholesterol), LDL-C, Apo B (Apolipoprotein B) and TG (triglyceride) levels consequently increasing HDL-C in patients with primary hyperlipidemia and mixed dyslipidemia. In combination with simvastatin or lovastatin, doses of NIASPIN is induced for the treatment of hyperlipidemia and mixed dyslipidemia in patients who do not respond well to individual doses of any of the three medications. It is also observed to lower the risks of recurrent nonfatal myocardial infarction in patients with a history of myocardial infarction and hyperlipidemia. In patients with a record of coronary artery disease (CAD) and hyperlipidemia, niacin administered along with a combination of bile acid binding resin is known to lower progression or enhance regression of atherosclerotic disease. The same combination of the two ingredients is also known to reduce increased levels of TC and LDL-C levels in adults suffering from primary hyperlipidemia (Type IIa). Niacin is also used in adjunctive therapy for treatment of adults suffering from hypertriglyceridemia (Types IV and V hyperlipidemia) and who are at a risk of pancreatitis with no positive response to determined dietary controls.
Common side effects of NIASPAN
This drug is not devoid of side effects. The side effects are more prominent in patients, who have a history of alcohol abuse, active gallbladder disease, bleeding disorders or under anticoagulation therapy, unstable angina, diabetes, renal disease and gout. The side effects may be projected in individuals who administer this drug in the form of allergic reactions, hives, breathing difficulties, swelling of face, lips, tongue and throat. Other side effects may include lightheadedness, arrhythmias, giddiness, fast, pounding and uneven heartbeats, breathlessness, jaundice, muscle pain, tenderness or weakness with fever or flu symptoms and dark colored urine. On the milder side of the effects of this drug the patients are observed to experience mild dizziness, a tingy feeling associated with warmth and redness under the skin, itchy and dry skin, sweating or chills, nausea, diarrhea, belching, gas, muscle pain, leg cramps or sleep disorders like insomnia.
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chills, weakness in knees, itching is terrible…. cannot sleep and scratching all d time. not worth it at all!!!