Understanding cholesterol
Everyone says you should have your cholesterol levels checked. But what is cholesterol?
And why is it important? Understanding cholesterol is essential to good heart health.
Cholesterol is a kind of fat in your blood that is naturally formed in your body. It is normal, and essential
to certain cell functions. But the wrong amounts of cholesterol in your blood can
affect your heart and arteries.
Understanding your cholesterol levels
When your cholesterol levels are checked, the test involves three different types
of fat in your blood:
- LDL (bad) cholesterol
- HDL (good) cholesterol
- Triglycerides
Each is unique and affects your body in a different way. And because they are different,
each has a different ideal level. Your doctor measures all three cholesterol levels
to calculate your total cholesterol score.
If your total cholesterol is too high, your doctor will work with you to get it
to target levels.
Check out the
cholesterol levels guidelines from the American Heart Association.
LDL cholesterol ("Bad")
LDL cholesterol is known as "bad" cholesterol because it can build up on the walls
of your arteries. The fatty deposits of bad cholesterol, along with other substances, can attach to the arterial walls
of blood vessels, narrowing them over time and blocking normal blood flow. If your
bad cholesterol is high, your doctor may try to lower it.
HDL cholesterol ("Good")
HDL cholesterol is known as "good" cholesterol. HDL removes excess cholesterol from
the heart's arteries and back to the liver, where it is passed from the body. Having
high good cholesterol is better for your heart health. If your good cholesterol is low,
your doctor may try to raise it.
Triglycerides
Triglycerides are a third kind of fat in the blood. Too high a level of triglycerides
is often associated with high total cholesterol, high bad cholesterol (LDL) and low good
cholesterol (HDL). Many people with heart disease or diabetes have increased triglycerides.
Important Safety Information and Uses You Should Know About
NIASPAN® (niacin extended-release tablets)
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
- 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. All forms of niacin are not the same as NIASPAN. 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 lovastatin or simvastatin, particularly in the elderly, diabetics and those with kidney or thyroid problems.
- NIASPAN is associated with increases in liver enzymes. Your health care provider should do blood tests before and during treatment with NIASPAN to check liver enzyme levels. NIASPAN should be used with caution if you consume large amounts of alcohol.
- 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 include 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 subside after several weeks of consistent NIASPAN use. Flushing may vary in severity and is more likely to occur with initiation of therapy, or during dose increases. By dosing at bedtime, flushing will most likely occur during sleep. However, if awakened by flushing at night, you should get up slowly, especially if feeling dizzy, feeling faint, or taking blood pressure medications.
- If you are taking another cholesterol medication called a bile acid binding resin (e.g., colestipol) 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 anticoagulants, also known as blood thinners, or any products containing niacin or nicotinamide.
USES
NIASPAN® (niacin extended-release tablets) is a prescription medication used along with diet when a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet and other non-drug measures alone have been unsuccessful.
- NIASPAN raises HDL ("good") cholesterol and lowers LDL ("bad") cholesterol and triglycerides in people with abnormal cholesterol levels.
- NIASPAN is also used to reduce the risk of recurrent heart attacks in people with abnormal cholesterol levels.
- 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.
- In people with coronary artery disease and abnormal cholesterol levels, NIASPAN, in combination with a bile acid binding resin (e.g., colestipol), is used to slow down or reduce atherosclerosis, the hardening of coronary arteries due to plaque buildup.
- 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 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.