NIASPAN is a prescription niacin agent indicated to RAISE HDL-C, REGRESS atherosclerosis, and REDUCE recurrent non-fatal MI.*
Patients who are educated on flushing are often better prepared to manage it
Niacin, the active ingredient in NIASPAN, offers an important way that
patients can significantly raise their HDL-C levels and may reduce the risk of
secondary coronary events. However, flushing, a common drug side effect
of niacin therapy, may affect compliance with therapy. Compliance to therapy
is important and flushing may be manageable. In a 12-week, open-label study
of 4,449 patients with dyslipidemia designed to evaluate the effects of
niacin extended-release plus lovastatin titrated to a dose of 1000 mg/20
mg (IMPACT study), patients received the following support: dietary counseling,
educational materials, and reminders to call a toll-free number that provided
further education. Study compliance, a primary end point in the study, was 77% with
3245 patients completing the 12-week study.1
NIASPAN and flushing…what you need to know
- Most patients taking original NIASPAN experienced flushing2
- In clinical trials, 88% of patients experienced flushing but <6% of patients discontinued3
- Flushing varies in intensity, is mild to moderate in most patients, and typically abates over several weeks3
- 78% fewer flushing episodes have been observed with original NIASPAN
1500 mg qhs vs. immediate-release niacin 500 mg during 4 weeks of maintenance therapy3- The incidence of flushing over the 4-week period averaged 8.56 events per patient for IR niacin vs. 1.88 events for NIASPAN3
How you can help
The Heart Alliance program supports your counseling on flushing.
Prepare your patients to help manage flushing and GI upset
Print these simple tips for your patients’ use
*In patients with a history of coronary artery disease and hypercholesterolemia, niacin, in combination with a bile acid binding resin, is indicated to slow progression or promote regression of atherosclerotic disease. In patients with a history of myocardial infarction and hypercholesterolemia, niacin is indicated to reduce the risk of recurrent nonfatal myocardial infarction.
References
1. Rubenfire M. Safety and compliance with once-daily niacin extended-release/lovastatin as initial therapy in the impact of medical subspecialty on patient compliance to treatment (IMPACT) study. Am J Cardiol. 2004;94:306-311.
2. NIASPAN® prescribing information. North Chicago, IL; Abbott Laboratories.
3. Data on file.
