Understanding plaque buildup
If you have been diagnosed with coronary artery disease (CAD) and high cholesterol, you probably already know that over time cholesterol and other substances can build up in the wall of the heart's arteries. As these deposits (called "plaque") build up, it may narrow the arteries, which can reduce blood flow. Plaque buildup is a complex process and has a number of risk factors that lead up to it, including a family history of early heart disease, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, and abnormal cholesterol levels.
NIASPAN may help you manage plaque
You may already be working with your doctor to develop a program to lower your cholesterol levels. Such a program should include lifestyle changes (including diet and exercise). Your doctor may also have discussed prescribing medication for you such as NIASPAN.
In one study, nearly 39% of patients taking niacin, the active ingredient in NIASPAN®, along with a cholesterol-lowering drug called colestipol, showed some reduction of plaque in the heart's arteries after 2.5 years.1
Another study showed that about 16% of patients who took niacin plus colestipol experienced some disease reduction after two years. In the same study, fewer patients who took niacin plus colestipol experienced disease progression after two years, compared with patients who took a placebo (sugar pill).2
If you have coronary heart disease and high cholesterol levels, NIASPAN, along with diet and a bile acid-binding resin (another cholesterol medicine), can help slow down plaque building or even help clear some of it away.
Safety Information for NIASPAN
NIASPAN should not be taken by people with stomach ulcers, liver or serious bleeding problems. Severe liver damage can occur when switching to a long-acting niacin, such as NIASPAN, from immediate-release niacin. Blood tests are needed before and during treatment with NIASPAN to check for liver problems. Contact a health care provider if serious side effects such as unexplained muscle pain, tenderness or weakness develop. The risk of these side effects may be higher when taking NIASPAN with a statin. Tell your health care provider if you have a history of gout, drink large amounts of alcohol, or if you are a diabetic and experience increases in blood sugar. The most common side effect of NIASPAN is flushing (warmth, itching, and/or tingling of the skin).
Please click here for additional Important Safety Information and Uses for NIASPAN and discuss it with your doctor.
References
- Brown G, Albers JJ, Fisher LD, et al. Regression of coronary artery disease as a result of intensive lipid-lowering therapy in men with high levels of apolipoprotein B. N Engl J Med. 1990;323:1289-1298.
- Blankenhorn DH, Nessim A, Johnson RL, Sanmarco ME, Azen SP, Cashin-Hemphill L. Beneficial effects of combined colestipol-niacin therapy on coronary atherosclerosis and coronary venous bypass grafts. JAMA. 1987;257:3233-3240.
Important Safety Information and Uses You Should Know About
NIASPAN® (niacin extended-release tablets)
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION for NIASPAN
NIASPAN is not for people with liver problems, stomach ulcers, serious bleeding problems, or those allergic to any product ingredient.
Severe liver damage can occur when switching to a long-acting niacin (NIASPAN) from immediate-release niacin. Do not switch between forms of niacin without talking to your health care provider.
Tell your health care provider about any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, as this could be a sign of a serious side effect. This risk may be increased when NIASPAN is taken with a statin, particularly in the elderly, diabetics, and those with kidney or thyroid problems.
NIASPAN should be used with caution if you consume large amounts of alcohol and/or have a past history of liver disease.
Your health care provider should do blood tests before and during treatment to check liver enzyme levels, as these may increase with treatment.
Tell your health care provider if you have kidney problems, or a history of gout. NIASPAN may cause an increase in uric acid levels.
NIASPAN may cause an increase in blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, check your blood sugar levels more frequently during the first few months or with NIASPAN dose changes.
The most common side effects with NIASPAN are flushing, headache, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, increased cough, and itching.
Flushing (warmth, redness, itching, and/or tingling of the skin) is a common side effect of niacin therapy that may get better after several weeks of consistent NIASPAN use. It may vary in severity and is more likely to happen when starting NIASPAN or during dose increases. Talk to your doctor about how the symptoms of flushing are different from symptoms of a heart attack. By dosing at bedtime, flushing will likely occur during sleep. If awakened by flushing, get up slowly, especially if feeling dizzy or faint, or taking blood pressure medications.
If you are taking another cholesterol medication called a bile acid-binding resin (e.g., colestipol, cholestyramine) along with NIASPAN, take these medicines at least 4 to 6 hours apart.
Some medicines should not be taken with NIASPAN. Tell your health care provider about all the medicines you take, including aspirin, any cholesterol medication, blood pressure medication, or blood thinner medication, or any products containing niacin or nicotinamide.
USES for NIASPAN® (niacin extended-release tablets)
NIASPAN is a prescription medication used along with diet when a low-cholesterol diet and exercise alone are not enough.
NIASPAN raises HDL ("good") cholesterol and lowers LDL ("bad") cholesterol and triglycerides in people with abnormal cholesterol levels.
NIASPAN is also used to lower the risk of heart attack in people who have had a heart attack and have high cholesterol.
In people with coronary artery disease and high cholesterol levels, NIASPAN, when used with a bile acid-binding resin (another cholesterol medicine), can slow down or lessen the build up of plaque (fatty deposits) in your arteries.
NIASPAN can be used in combination with lovastatin or simvastatin to improve abnormal cholesterol levels when taking NIASPAN, simvastatin, or lovastatin alone is not enough.
No additional benefit of NIASPAN on heart disease has been demonstrated when used with simvastatin or lovastatin over that shown for niacin, simvastatin, or lovastatin alone.
For more information, talk with your health care provider.
Please see the full Prescribing Information for NIASPAN and discuss it with your health care provider.
Reference: NIASPAN [package insert]. North Chicago, IL: Abbott Laboratories
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
If you cannot afford your medication, contact: www.pparx.org or call the toll-free phone number 1-888-4PPA-NOW (1-888-477-2669) for assistance.