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|Niacin

Niacin

Niacin is used for:

Lowering the levels of LDL ("bad") cholesterol or of triglyceride in the blood of certain patients. It may be used in combination with diet or other medicines. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Niacin is a B vitamin. It works by decreasing the amount of a certain protein that is necessary for the formation of cholesterol in the body.

Do NOT use Niacin if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Niacin
• you have moderate to severe liver problems, unexplained liver or liver function test problems, active ulcer, or bleeding from certain blood vessels (arteries)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Niacin :

Some medical conditions may interact with Niacin . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have a history of liver or gallbladder problems, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), ulcer, diabetes, glaucoma, bleeding problems or active bleeding, gout, low blood pressure, chest pain (angina), heart problems, or if you are having a heart attack
• if you drink alcohol regularly

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Niacin . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Fibrates (eg, gemfibrozil, fenofibrate) or HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors ("statins") (eg, simvastatin) because the risk of side effects, such as serious muscle problems, may be increased
• Medicine for blood pressure (eg, diltiazem) or angina (eg, nitroglycerin) because side effects, such as dizziness upon standing, may be increased by Niacin

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Niacin may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Niacin :

Use Niacin as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Niacin by mouth immediately after a meal unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
• If you miss a dose of Niacin , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Niacin .

Important safety information:

• Niacin may cause dizziness or lightheadedness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Niacin with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Niacin may cause dizziness; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase this effect. To prevent it, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of this effect.
• Follow the diet and exercise program given to you by your health care provider.
• Diabetes patients - Niacin may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
• Do not take large doses of vitamins while you use Niacin unless your doctor tells you to.
• Do not use a different dosage form of Niacin . Cases of severe liver toxicity, including fulminant hepatic necrosis, have occurred in patients who have substituted sustained-release (modified-release, timed-release) nicotinic acid products for immediate-release (crystalline) nicotinic acid at equivalent doses.
• Niacin may cause warmth or flushing. Check with your doctor for ways to lessen these effects. Avoid drinking alcohol or hot drinks at the same time that you take Niacin because the risk of flushing or itching may be increased.
• Diabetes patients - Niacin may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
• Lab tests, including liver function tests and serum creatine kinase tests, may be performed while you use Niacin . These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Niacin should not be used in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Niacin while you are pregnant. It is not known if Niacin is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Niacin .

Possible side effects of Niacin :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Diarrhea; dry skin; headache; itching; stomach upset; temporary skin redness, tingling or feelings of warmth (flushing)

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); black, tarry, or bloody stools; changes in vision; cloudy or blurred vision; decrease in urine or dark-colored urine; dizziness; fast or irregular heartbeat; flu-like symptoms (nausea, vomiting, "not well" feeling); irregular heartbeat; loss of appetite; muscle weakness, swelling, tenderness, or pain; numbness or persistent tingling of the skin; swelling of the hands, legs, or feet; vomit that looks like coffee grounds; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include flushing.

Store Niacin at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Niacin out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Niacin , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Niacin is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Niacin . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.