Niacin Drug Information
Generic name: NIACIN
Nicotinic Acid [EPC]
Uses of Niacin
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 hyperlipidemia. Niacin therapy is indicated 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. Niacin extended-release tablets are indicated to reduce elevated TC, LDL-C, Apo B and TG levels, and to increase HDL-C in patients with primary hyperlipidemia and mixed dyslipidemia.
In patients with a history of myocardial infarction and hyperlipidemia, niacin is indicated to reduce the risk of recurrent nonfatal myocardial infarction. In patients with a history of coronary artery disease (CAD) and hyperlipidemia, niacin, in combination with a bile acid binding resin, is indicated to slow progression or promote regression of atherosclerotic disease. Niacin extended-release tablets in combination with a bile acid binding resin is indicated to reduce elevated TC and LDL-C levels in adult patients with primary hyperlipidemia.
Niacin is also indicated as adjunctive therapy for treatment of adult patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia who present a risk of pancreatitis and who do not respond adequately to a determined dietary effort to control them. Limitations of Use Addition of niacin extended-release tablets did not reduce cardiovascular morbidity or mortality among patients treated with simvastatin in a large, randomized controlled trial (AIM-HIGH) . Niacin extended-release tablets contain extended-release niacin (nicotinic acid), and is indicated: To reduce elevated TC, LDL-C, Apo B and TG, and to increase HDL-C in patients with primary hyperlipidemia and mixed dyslipidemia. To reduce the risk of recurrent nonfatal myocardial infarction in patients with a history of myocardial infarction and hyperlipidemia.
In combination with a bile acid binding resin: Slows progression or promotes regression of atherosclerotic disease in patients with a history of coronary artery disease (CAD) and hyperlipidemia. As an adjunct to diet to reduce elevated TC and LDL-C in adult patients with primary hyperlipidemia. To reduce TG in adult patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia.
Limitations of use: Addition of niacin extended-release tablets did not reduce cardiovascular morbidity or mortality among patients treated with simvastatin in a large, randomized controlled trial.
Dosage & Administration of Niacin
| INITIAL TITRATION SCHEDULE | 1 to 4 |
|---|---|
| 5 to 8 | 1,000 mg |
| * | |
| * | 2,000 mg |
| * After Week 8, titrate to patient response and tolerance. If response to 1,000 mg daily is inadequate, increase dose to 1,500 mg daily; may subsequently increase dose to 2,000 mg daily. Daily dose should not be increased more than 500 mg in a 4-week period, and doses above 2,000 mg daily are not recommended. Women may respond at lower doses than men. | |
Side Effects of Niacin
Clinical Studies Experience
Because clinical studies are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical studies of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical studies of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. In the placebo-controlled clinical trials database of 402 patients (age range 21 to 75 years, 33% women, 89% Caucasians, 7% Blacks, 3% Hispanics, 1% Asians) with a median treatment duration of 16 weeks, 16% of patients on niacin extended-release tablets and 4% of patients on placebo discontinued due to adverse reactions. The most common adverse reactions in the group of patients treated with niacin extended-release tablets that led to treatment discontinuation and occurred at a rate greater than placebo were flushing (6% vs. 0%), rash (2% vs. 0%), diarrhea (2% vs. 0%), nausea (1% vs. 0%), and vomiting (1% vs. 0%). The most commonly reported adverse reactions (incidence >5% and greater than placebo) in the niacin extended-release tablets controlled clinical trial database of 402 patients were flushing, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, increased cough and pruritus.
In the placebo-controlled clinical trials, flushing episodes (i.e., warmth, redness, itching and/or tingling) were the most common treatment-emergent adverse reactions (reported by as many as 88% of patients) for niacin extended-release tablets. Spontaneous reports suggest that flushing may also be accompanied by symptoms of dizziness, tachycardia, palpitations, shortness of breath, sweating, burning sensation/skin burning sensation, chills, and/or edema, which in rare cases may lead to syncope. In pivotal studies, 6% (14/245) of niacin extended-release tablets patients discontinued due to flushing.
In comparisons of immediate-release (IR) niacin and niacin extended-release tablets, although the proportion of patients who flushed was similar, fewer flushing episodes were reported by patients who received niacin extended-release tablets. Following 4 weeks of maintenance therapy at daily doses of 1,500 mg, the incidence of flushing over the 4-week period averaged 8.6 events per patient for IR niacin versus 1.9 following niacin extended-release tablets. Other adverse reactions occurring in ≥5% of patients treated with niacin extended-release tablets and at an incidence greater than placebo are shown in Table 2 below.
Table 2. Treatment-Emergent Adverse Reactions by Dose Level in ≥ 5% of Patients and at an Incidence Greater than Placebo; Regardless of Causality Assessment in Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trials Placebo-Controlled Studies Niacin Extended-Release Tablets Treatment @ Recommended Daily Maintenance Doses † Placebo (n = 157) % 500 mg ‡ (n = 87) % 1,000 mg (n = 110) % 1,500 mg (n = 136) % 2,000 mg (n = 95) % Gastrointestinal Disorders Diarrhea 13 7 10 10 14 Nausea 7 5 6 4 11 Vomiting 4 0 2 4 9 Respiratory Cough, Increased 6 3 2 < 2 8 Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders Pruritus 2 8 0 3 0 Rash 0 5 5 5 0 Vascular Disorders Flushing & 19 68 69 63 55 Note: Percentages are calculated from the total number of patients in each column. † Adverse reactions are reported at the initial dose where they occur. @ Pooled results from placebo-controlled studies; for niacin extended-release tablets, n = 245 and median treatment duration = 16 weeks. Number of niacin extended-release tablet patients (n) are not additive across doses. ‡ The 500 mg/day dose is outside the recommended daily maintenance dosing range . & 10 patients discontinued before receiving 500 mg, therefore they were not included. In general, the incidence of adverse events was higher in women compared to men.
Atherothrombosis Intervention in Metabolic Syndrome with Low HDL/High Triglycerides: Impact on Global Health Outcomes (AIM-HIGH) In AIM-HIGH involving 3414 patients (mean age of 64 years, 15% women, 92% Caucasians, 34% with diabetes mellitus) with stable, previously diagnosed cardiovascular disease, all patients received simvastatin, 40 to 80 mg per day, plus ezetimibe 10 mg per day if needed, to maintain an LDL-C level of 40 to 80 mg/dL, and were randomized to receive niacin extended-release tablets 1,500 to 2,000 mg/day (n=1718) or matching placebo (IR Niacin, 100 to 150 mg, n=1696). The incidence of the adverse reactions of “blood glucose increased” (6.4% vs. 4.5%) and “diabetes mellitus” (3.6% vs. 2.2%) was significantly higher in the simvastatin plus niacin extended-release tablets group as compared to the simvastatin plus placebo group. There were 5 cases of rhabdomyolysis reported, 4 (0.2%) in the simvastatin plus niacin extended-release tablets group and one (<0.1%) in the simvastatin plus placebo group.
Postmarketing Experience
The following additional adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of niacin extended-release tablets. Because the below reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is generally not possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Cardiac disorders: tachycardia, palpitations, atrial fibrillation, other cardiac arrhythmias Eye disorders: blurred vision, macular edema Gastrointestinal disorders: peptic ulcers, eructation, flatulence Hepatobiliary disorders: hepatitis, jaundice Immune system disorders: hypersensitivity reactions (including anaphylaxis, angioedema, urticaria, flushing, dyspnea, tongue edema, larynx edema, face edema, peripheral edema, laryngismus, and vesiculobullous rash) Metabolism and nutrition disorders: decreased glucose tolerance, gout Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders: myalgia, myopathy Nervous system disorders: dizziness, insomnia, asthenia, nervousness, paresthesia, migraine Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders: dyspnea Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: maculopapular rash, dry skin, sweating, burning sensation/skin burning sensation, skin discoloration, acanthosis nigricans Vascular disorders: syncope, hypotension, postural hypotension Clinical Laboratory Abnormalities Chemistry: Elevations in serum transaminases, LDH, fasting glucose, uric acid, total bilirubin, amylase and creatine kinase, and reduction in phosphorus.
Hematology: Slight reductions in platelet counts and prolongation in prothrombin time.
Warnings & Cautions for Niacin
Mortality and Coronary Heart Disease Morbidity Niacin extended-release tablets have not been
shown to reduce cardiovascular morbidity or mortality among patients already treated with a statin. The Atherothrombosis Intervention in Metabolic Syndrome with Low HDL/High Triglycerides: Impact on Global Health Outcomes (AIM-HIGH) trial was a randomized placebo-controlled trial of 3414 patients with stable, previously diagnosed cardiovascular disease. Mean baseline lipid levels were LDL-C 74 mg/dL, HDL-C 35 mg/dL, non-HDL-C 111 mg/dL and median triglyceride level of 163 to 177 mg/dL. Ninety-four percent of patients were on background statin therapy prior to entering the trial.
All participants received simvastatin, 40 to 80 mg per day, plus ezetimibe 10 mg per day if needed, to maintain an LDL-C level of 40 to 80 mg/dL, and were randomized to receive niacin extended-release tablets 1,500 to 2,000 mg/day (n=1718) or matching placebo (IR Niacin, 100 to 150 mg, n=1696). On-treatment lipid changes at two years for LDL-C were -12.0% for the simvastatin plus niacin extended-release tablets group and -5.5% for the simvastatin plus placebo group. HDL-C increased by 25.0% to 42 mg/dL in the simvastatin plus niacin extended-release tablets group and by 9.8% to 38 mg/dL in the simvastatin plus placebo group (P<0.001). Triglyceride levels decreased by 28.6% in the simvastatin plus niacin extended-release tablets group and by 8.1% in the simvastatin plus placebo group. The primary outcome was an ITT composite of the first study occurrence of coronary heart disease death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, hospitalization for acute coronary syndrome or symptom-driven coronary or cerebral revascularization procedures.
The trial was stopped after a mean follow-up period of 3 years owing to a lack of efficacy. The primary outcome occurred in 282 patients in the simvastatin plus niacin extended-release tablets group (16.4%) and in 274 patients in the simvastatin plus placebo group (16.2%) (HR 1.02, P=0.79. In an ITT analysis, there were 42 cases of first occurrence of ischemic stroke reported, 27 (1.6%) in the simvastatin plus niacin extended-release tablets group and 15 (0.9%) in the simvastatin plus placebo group, a non-statistically significant result (HR 1.79,, p=0.071). The on-treatment ischemic stroke events were 19 for the simvastatin plus niacin extended-release tablets group and 15 for the simvastatin plus placebo group .
Skeletal Muscle Cases of rhabdomyolysis have been associated with concomitant administration of
lipid-altering doses (≥1 g/day) of niacin and statins. Elderly patients and patients with diabetes, renal failure, or uncontrolled hypothyroidism are particularly at risk. Monitor patients for any signs and symptoms of muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, particularly during the initial months of therapy and during any periods of upward dosage titration.
Periodic serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and potassium determinations should be considered in such situations, but there is no assurance that such monitoring will prevent the occurrence of severe myopathy.
Liver Dysfunction Cases of severe hepatic toxicity, including fulminant hepatic necrosis, have
occurred in patients who have substituted sustained-release (modified-release, timed-release) niacin products for immediate-release (crystalline) niacin at equivalent doses. Niacin extended-release tablets should be used with caution in patients who consume substantial quantities of alcohol and/or have a past history of liver disease. Active liver diseases or unexplained transaminase elevations are contraindications to the use of niacin extended-release tablets.
Niacin preparations have been associated with abnormal liver tests. In three placebo-controlled clinical trials involving titration to final daily niacin extended-release tablets doses ranging from 500 to 3,000 mg, 245 patients received niacin extended-release tablets for a mean duration of 17 weeks. No patient with normal serum transaminase levels (AST, ALT) at baseline experienced elevations to more than 3 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) during treatment with niacin extended-release tablets.
In these studies, fewer than 1% (2/245) of niacin extended-release tablets patients discontinued due to transaminase elevations greater than 2 times the ULN. Liver-related tests should be performed on all patients during therapy with niacin extended-release tablets. Serum transaminase levels, including AST and ALT (SGOT and SGPT), should be monitored before treatment begins, every 6 to 12 weeks for the first year, and periodically thereafter (e.g., at approximately 6-month intervals). Special attention should be paid to patients who develop elevated serum transaminase levels, and in these patients, measurements should be repeated promptly and then performed more frequently. If the transaminase levels show evidence of progression, particularly if they rise to 3 times ULN and are persistent, or if they are associated with symptoms of nausea, fever, and/or malaise, the drug should be discontinued.
Laboratory Abnormalities Increase in Blood Glucose: Niacin treatment can increase fasting blood
glucose. Frequent monitoring of blood glucose should be performed to ascertain that the drug is producing no adverse effects. Diabetic patients may experience a dose-related increase in glucose intolerance.
Diabetic or potentially diabetic patients should be observed closely during treatment with niacin extended-release tablets, particularly during the first few months of use or dose adjustment; adjustment of diet and/or hypoglycemic therapy may be necessary. Reduction in platelet count: Niacin extended-release tablets have been associated with small but statistically significant dose-related reductions in platelet count (mean of -11% with 2,000 mg). Caution should be observed when Niacin extended-release tablets are administered concomitantly with anticoagulants; platelet counts should be monitored closely in such patients. Increase in Prothrombin Time (PT): Niacin extended-release tablets have been associated with small but statistically significant increases in prothrombin time (mean of approximately +4%); accordingly, patients undergoing surgery should be carefully evaluated.
Caution should be observed when niacin extended-release tablets are administered concomitantly with anticoagulants; prothrombin time should be monitored closely in such patients. Increase in Uric Acid: Elevated uric acid levels have occurred with niacin therapy, therefore use with caution in patients predisposed to gout. Decrease in Phosphorus: In placebo-controlled trials, niacin extended-release tablets have been associated with small but statistically significant, dose-related reductions in phosphorus levels (mean of -13% with 2,000 mg). Although these reductions were transient, phosphorus levels should be monitored periodically in patients at risk for hypophosphatemia.
Drug Interactions with Niacin
Statins Caution should be used when prescribing niacin (≥1 gm/day) with statins
as these drugs can increase risk of myopathy/rhabdomyolysis .
Bile Acid Sequestrants
An in vitro study results suggest that the bile acid-binding resins have high niacin binding capacity. Therefore, 4 to 6 hours, or as great an interval as possible, should elapse between the ingestion of bile acid-binding resins and the administration of niacin extended-release tablets .
Aspirin
Concomitant aspirin may decrease the metabolic clearance of nicotinic acid. The clinical relevance of this finding is unclear.
Antihypertensive Therapy Niacin may potentiate the effects of ganglionic blocking agents and
vasoactive drugs resulting in postural hypotension.
Other Vitamins or other nutritional supplements containing large doses of niacin or
related compounds such as nicotinamide may potentiate the adverse effects of niacin extended-release tablets.
Laboratory Test Interactions Niacin may produce false elevations in some fluorometric determinations
of plasma or urinary catecholamines. Niacin may also give false-positive reactions with cupric sulfate solution (Benedict’s reagent) in urine glucose tests.
Pregnancy Safety for Niacin
Pregnancy Risk Summary Discontinue niacin extended-release tablets when pregnancy is recognized in patients receiving the drug for the treatment of hyperlipidemia. Assess the individual risks and benefits of continuing niacin extended-release tablets during pregnancy in patients receiving the drug for the treatment of hypertriglyceridemia. Advise patients to inform their healthcare provider of a known or suspected pregnancy.
The potential for embryofetal toxicity with the doses of niacin in niacin extended-release tablets is unknown. The available data on niacin extended-release tablets use in pregnant women are insufficient to evaluate for a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with niacin or with niacin extended-release tablets.
Treatment of hypercholesterolemia is not generally necessary during pregnancy. Atherosclerosis is a chronic process and the discontinuation of lipid-lowering drugs during pregnancy should have little impact on the outcome of long-term therapy of primary hypercholesterolemia for most patients. The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown.
In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively.
Pediatric Use of Niacin
Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness of niacin therapy in pediatric patients (≤16 years) have not been established.
Contraindications for Niacin
Niacin extended-release tablets are contraindicated in the following conditions: Active liver disease or unexplained persistent elevations in hepatic transaminases Patients with active peptic ulcer disease Patients with arterial bleeding Hypersensitivity to niacin or any component of this medication Active liver disease, which may include unexplained persistent elevations in hepatic transaminase levels. Active peptic ulcer disease. Arterial bleeding.
Known hypersensitivity to product components.
Overdosage Information for Niacin
Supportive measures should be undertaken in the event of an overdose.
Clinical Studies of Niacin
Niacin Clinical Studies Niacin’s ability to reduce mortality and the risk of
definite, nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI) has been assessed in long-term studies. The Coronary Drug Project, completed in 1975, was designed to assess the safety and efficacy of niacin and other lipid-altering drugs in men 30 to 64 years old with a history of MI. Over an observation period of 5 years, niacin treatment was associated with a statistically significant reduction in nonfatal, recurrent MI. The incidence of definite, nonfatal MI was 8.9% for the 1119 patients randomized to nicotinic acid versus 12.2% for the 2789 patients who received placebo ( p <0.004). Total mortality was similar in the two groups at 5 years (24.4% with nicotinic acid versus 25.4% with placebo; p =N.S.). At the time of a 15-year follow-up, there were 11% fewer deaths in the niacin group compared to the placebo cohort (52.0% versus 58.2%; p =0.0004). However, mortality at 15 years was not an original endpoint of the Coronary Drug Project. In addition, patients had not received niacin for approximately 9 years, and confounding variables such as concomitant medication use and medical or surgical treatments were not controlled.
The Cholesterol-Lowering Atherosclerosis Study (CLAS) was a randomized, placebo-controlled, angiographic trial testing combined colestipol and niacin therapy in 162 non-smoking males with previous coronary bypass surgery. The primary, per-subject cardiac endpoint was global coronary artery change score. After 2 years, 61% of patients in the placebo cohort showed disease progression by global change score (n=82), compared with only 38.8% of drug-treated subjects (n=80), when both native arteries and grafts were considered ( p <0.005); disease regression also occurred more frequently in the drug-treated group (16.2% versus 2.4%; p =0.002). In a follow-up to this trial in a subgroup of 103 patients treated for 4 years, again, significantly fewer patients in the drug-treated group demonstrated progression than in the placebo cohort (48% versus 85%, respectively; p <0.0001). The Familial Atherosclerosis Treatment Study (FATS) in 146 men ages 62 and younger with Apo B levels ≥125 mg/dL, established coronary artery disease, and family histories of vascular disease, assessed change in severity of disease in the proximal coronary arteries by quantitative arteriography.
Patients were given dietary counseling and randomized to treatment with either conventional therapy with double placebo (or placebo plus colestipol if the LDL-C was elevated); lovastatin plus colestipol; or niacin plus colestipol. In the conventional therapy group, 46% of patients had disease progression (and no regression) in at least one of nine proximal coronary segments; regression was the only change in 11%. In contrast, progression (as the only change) was seen in only 25% in the niacin plus colestipol group, while regression was observed in 39%. Though not an original endpoint of the trial, clinical events (death, MI, or revascularization for worsening angina) occurred in 10 of 52 patients who received conventional therapy, compared with 2 of 48 who received niacin plus colestipol.
Niacin Extended-Release Tablets Clinical Studies Placebo-Controlled Clinical Studies in Patients with Primary
Hyperlipidemia and Mixed Dyslipidemia: In two randomized, double-blind, parallel, multi-center, placebo-controlled trials, niacin extended-release tablets dosed at 1,000, 1,500 or 2,000 mg daily at bedtime with a low-fat snack for 16 weeks (including 4 weeks of dose escalation) favorably altered lipid profiles compared to placebo (Table 3). Women appeared to have a greater response than men at each niacin extended-release tablets dose level (see Gender Effect, below). Table 3. Lipid Response to Niacin Extended-Release Tablets Therapy Mean Percent Change from Baseline to Week 16* Treatment n TC LDL-C HDL-C TG Apo B Niacin extended-release tablets 1,000 mg at bedtime 41 -3 -5 +18 -21 -6 Niacin extended-release tablets 2,000 mg at bedtime 41 -10 -14 +22 -28 -16 Placebo 40 0 -1 +4 0 +1 Niacin extended-release tablets 1,500 mg at bedtime 76 -8 -12 +20 -13 -12 Placebo 73 +2 +1 +2 +12 +1 n = number of patients at baseline; * Mean percent change from baseline for all niacin extended-release tablet doses was significantly different ( p <0.05) from placebo. In a double-blind, multi-center, forced dose-escalation study, monthly 500 mg increases in niacin extended-release tablets dose resulted in incremental reductions of approximately 5% in LDL-C and Apo B levels in the daily dose range of 500 mg through 2,000 mg (Table 4). Women again tended to have a greater response to niacin extended-release tablets than men (see Gender Effect, below). Table 4. Lipid Response in Dose-Escalation Study Mean Percent Change from Baseline* Treatment n TC LDL-C HDL-C TG Apo B Placebo ‡ 44 -2 -1 +5 -6 -2 Niacin extended-release tablets 87 500 mg at bedtime -2 -3 +10 -5 -2 1,000 mg at bedtime -5 -9 +15 -11 -7 1,500 mg at bedtime -11 -14 +22 -28 -15 2,000 mg at bedtime -12 -17 +26 -35 -16 n = number of patients enrolled; ‡ Placebo data shown are after 24 weeks of placebo treatment. * For all niacin extended-release tablet doses except 500 mg, mean percent change from baseline was significantly different ( p <0.05) from placebo for all lipid parameters shown. Pooled results for major lipids from these three placebo-controlled studies are shown below (Table 5). Table 5. Selected Lipid Response to Niacin Extended-Release Tablets in Placebo-Controlled Clinical Studies* Mean Baseline and Median Percent Change from Baseline (25 th, 75 th Percentiles) Niacin Extended-Release Tablets Dose n LDL-C HDL-C TG 1,000 mg at bedtime 104 Baseline (mg/dL) 218 45 172 Percent Change -7 (-15, 0) +14 (+7, +23) -16 (-34, +3) 1,500 mg at bedtime 120 Baseline (mg/dL) 212 46 171 Percent Change -13 (-21, -4) +19 (+9, +31) -25 (-45, -2) 2,000 mg at bedtime 85 Baseline (mg/dL) 220 44 160 Percent Change -16 (-26, -7) +22 (+15, +34) -38 (-52, -14) * Represents pooled analyses of results; minimum duration on therapy at each dose was 4 weeks.
Gender Effect: Combined data from the three placebo-controlled niacin extended-release tablet studies in patients with primary hyperlipidemia and mixed dyslipidemia suggest that, at each niacin extended-release tablet dose level studied, changes in lipid concentrations are greater for women than for men (Table 6). Table 6. Effect of Gender on Niacin Extended-Release Tablets Dose Response Mean Percent Change from Baseline Niacin Extended-Release Tablets Dose n LDL-C HDL-C TG Apo B (M/F) M F M F M F M F 500 mg at bedtime 50/37 -2 -5 +11 +8 -3 -9 -1 -5 1,000 mg at bedtime 76/52 -6* -11* +14 +20 -10 -20 -5* -10* 1,500 mg at bedtime 104/59 -12 -16 +19 +24 -17 -28 -13 -15 2,000 mg at bedtime 75/53 -15 -18 +23 +26 -30 -36 -16 -16 n = number of male/female patients enrolled. * Percent change significantly different between genders ( p <0.05). Other Patient Populations: In a double-blind, multi-center, 19-week study the lipid-altering effects of niacin extended-release tablets (forced titration to 2,000 mg at bedtime) were compared to baseline in patients whose primary lipid abnormality was a low level of HDL-C (HDL-C ≤40 mg/dL, TG ≤400 mg/dL, and LDL-C ≤160, or <130 mg/dL in the presence of CHD). Results are shown below (Table 7). Table 7. Lipid Response to Niacin Extended-Release Tablets in Patients with Low HDL-C Mean Baseline and Mean Percent Change from Baseline* n TC LDL-C HDL-C TG Apo B † Baseline (mg/dL) 88 190 120 31 194 106 Week 19 (% Change) 71 -3 0 +26 -30 -9 n = number of patients * Mean percent change from baseline was significantly different ( p <0.05) for all lipid parameters shown except LDL-C. † n = 72 at baseline and 69 at week 19. At niacin extended-release tablets 2,000 mg/day, median changes from baseline (25 th, 75 th percentiles) for LDL-C, HDL-C, and TG were -3% (-14, +12%), +27% (+13, +38%), and -33% (-50, -19%), respectively.
Drug information sourced from the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before making any medication decisions.
Ready to save on Niacin?
Compare prescription prices at over 70,000 pharmacies and start saving today—no enrollment required.
Compare Niacin Prices