Brand Name

Niaspan ER (Abbott)

Generic Name

niacin, pronounced NYE a sin

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Drug Guide

The information contained in the following drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

What is Niaspan ER?

Niaspan ER is a medication that can help to lower your cholesterol, especially your “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides. Niaspan ER is effective at reducing the triglycerides, or fatty acids in your blood. If you have high levels of triglycerides you are at a greater risk of atherosclerosis, which is also known as clogged arteries. Niaspan ER is helpful at raising your good cholesterol (HDL), and contains niacin, also called nicotinic acid, a B vitamin (vitamin B3). This vitamin naturally occurs in plants and animals, and is found in a vast majority of multivitamin supplements.

Niaspan ER may also be used for purposes not described in this medication guide.

Key Facts About Niaspan ER

Niaspan ER may help to reduce your low-density lipoprotein (LDL), also known as your “bad” cholesterol.

Niaspan ER may be prescribed to help lower your levels of a type of fat in the blood stream or the blood tissue, called triglycerides.

Your doctor may have prescribed Niaspan ER for you to help lower your risk of heart attack, stroke, or other heart complications. This is important if you have risk factors such as type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease.

Niaspan ER is in FDA pregnancy category C. Niaspan ER is known to harm an unborn baby, especially when it is taken at high doses. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Do not breast-feed if you are taking Niaspan ER, as it is known that Niaspan ER passes into breast milk.

You should not drink alcohol while taking Niaspan ER, as it can raise your triglyceride levels, cause potential liver damage and raise the “flushing” effects of this medication.

Before You Take Niaspan ER

You should not take Niaspan ER if you are allergic to niacin or if you have severe liver disease, a stomach ulcer or active bleeding.

You should inform your doctor if you have heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease, or uncontrolled angina before taking Niaspan ER.

Let your doctor know if you have diabetes or gout before starting treatment with Niaspan ER.

If you have a muscle disorder such as myasthenia gravis you should tell your doctor before beginning treatment with Niaspan ER.

Niaspan ER Drug Interactions

Tell your doctor if you take any of the following medications:

• blood pressure or heart medications like amlodipine
• Norvasc, Caduet, Exforge, Lotrel, Tekamlo, Tribenzor, Twynsta, Amturnide), diltiazem (Cardizem, Cartia, Dilacor, Diltia, Diltzac, Taztia, Tiazac), felodipine (Plendil), nicardipine (Cardene), nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat), nimodipine (Nimotop), nisoldipine (Sular) and verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan)
• cholesterol-lowering drugs like atorvastatin (Lipitor, Caduet), fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (Mevacor, Altoprev, Advicor), pravastatin (Pravachol) and simvastatin (Zocor, Simcor, Vytorin, Juvisync)
• doxazosin (Cardura)
• isosorbide (Dilatrate, Imdur, Isordil, Monoket, Sorbitrate)
• multivitamins with niacin
• nitroglycerin (Nitro-Bid, Nitro-Dur, Nitrostat)
• prazosin (Minipress) or terazosin (Hytrin)
• warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven)

Other drugs you take that are not listed may interact with Niaspan ER. You should tell your doctor about all of the medications you use. This includes prescription drugs, vitamins, supplements and herbal products, and over the counter medications. You should not begin taking a new medication without telling your doctor first.

Directions for Taking Niaspan ER

Take Niaspan ER exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take Niaspan ER in larger or smaller amounts, or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Niaspan ER is typically taken once daily, at bedtime.

You should take Niaspan ER with a glass of cold or cool water.

You should not break, chew, crush or open the extended-release Niaspan ER tablet. You should swallow the tablet whole. If you break or open the tablet too much of the drug may be released at one time. The extended-release tablets contain higher strengths of niacin than the regular tablets.

Niaspan ER can be taken with a low fat snack.

If you are taking cholestyramine (Questran) or colestipol (Colestid) you should take these medications 4 to 6 hours after taking Niaspan ER, or 4 to 6 hours before taking Niaspan ER. You should not take either of these medications at the same time that you take Niaspan ER.

Visit your doctor regularly to be sure that you are getting the best results from your dose. You will need to have your blood tested on a regular basis to be sure that Niaspan ER is not causing you harm and is giving you the best results.

You should avoid drinking hot beverages, such as coffee or tea shortly after taking Niaspan ER. Hot drinks can worsen the “flushing” (warmth, itching, redness, or tingly feeling under your skin) effects of this medication.

You may need to stop taking Niaspan ER on a long-term basis for a surgical or medical emergency. Your doctor will inform you of when you should begin taking Niaspan ER again. Do not start or stop taking Niaspan ER at any time without consulting your doctor first.

Niaspan ER is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines closely as directed by your doctor.

Niaspan ER should be stored at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep the pills in their original container and keep the bottle tightly closed.

If you miss a dose of Niaspan ER you should attempt to take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose do not take the missed dose in addition to your regular dose.

Niaspan ER Side Effects

If you experience any of the following adverse effects you should stop taking Niaspan ER and seek emergency medical help immediately:

• allergic reaction including breathing difficulties, hives and swelling of your face, lips, throat or tongue
• dark urine
• faint feeling like you might pass out
• fast, pounding or uneven heartbeats
• fever, flu symptoms
• high blood sugar signs, including symptoms like increased thirst, increased urination,
• jaundice, a yellowing of your skin or eyes
• muscle pain and weakness
• shortness of breath
• swelling

Less serious side effects of Niaspan ER may include:

• belching
• chills
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• gas
• insomnia or trouble sleeping
• leg cramps
• muscle pain
• nausea
• sweating
• tingly feeling under skin with warmth and redness

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of possible side effects of Niaspan ER. You should contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

Niaspan ER Description and Dosing

Niaspan ER is available as unscored film-coated tablets for oral administration in strengths of 500 mg, 750 mg and 1000 mg. All tablets strengths are a medium-orange color.

Your doctor will tell you the right dose of Niaspan ER for you. Do not attempt to change your dose or stop taking Niaspan ER without speaking to your doctor first.

If you suspect that you have overdosed with Niaspan ER you should seek emergency help immediately.

Ingredients in Niaspan ER

Niaspan ER has the active ingredient niacin. Other inactive ingredients include hypromellose, povidone, stearic acid, and polyethylene glycol, and the following coloring agents: FD&C yellow #6/sunset yellow FCF Aluminum Lake, synthetic red and yellow iron oxides, and titanium dioxide.

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The information contained in this drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.