Niaspan® (niacin extended-release) tablets
Niaspan® (niacin extended-release) tablets

How does NIASPAN work?

NIASPAN is a prescription medication used along with diet and exercise to help lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and help raise HDL (“good”) cholesterol in people with abnormal cholesterol levels and lower triglycerides (“fats”) in the blood.1

NIASPAN is pharmaceutical grade niacin. Niacin (nicotinic acid) is a B vitamin that your body uses to help turn food into energy.2 NIASPAN is a prescription medication that, when used along with diet and exercise, has been shown to provide cholesterol benefits.1

NIASPAN is available in 500-mg, 750-mg, and 1000-mg tablets. Tablets not shown actual size.

NIASPAN is available in 500-mg, 750-mg, and 1000-mg tablets. Tablets not shown actual size.

What is the difference between NIASPAN and a niacin supplement?

NIASPAN Niacin supplement
Clinically proven with cholesterol-lowering agents1,3 Yes No
FDA-approved for cholesterol benefits1 Yes No
Prescription strength1,4 Yes Yes
Controlled release of niacin into bloodstream1,3 Yes No
Carefully regulated and controlled—less variability2,5 Yes No

Safety Considerations1

  • NIASPAN should not be taken by people with stomach ulcers or liver or serious bleeding problems
  • Severe liver damage has occurred 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 healthcare provider if serious side effects such as unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness develop. The risk of these side effects may be higher among elderly patients and patients with diabetes, kidney, or thyroid problems
  • Tell your healthcare provider if you have a history of gout, drink large amounts of alcohol, or if you are diabetic and experience increases in blood sugar
  • The most common side effect of NIASPAN is flushing (warmth, redness, itching, and/or tingling of the skin)

Is NIASPAN right for you?1

Only your doctor can decide if NIASPAN should be part of your treatment plan.

NIASPAN and other medicines (including vitamins and herbal supplements) can react with each other and may cause side effects.

Tell your doctor about all the prescription and non-prescription medicines you take, including:

  • Aspirin
  • Cholesterol or triglyceride medication
  • Blood pressure medication
  • Anticoagulants, also known as blood thinners
  • Any products containing niacin or nicotinamide

Also tell your doctor if you consume large amounts of alcohol.

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USES and IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION You Should Know About NIASPAN® (niacin extended-release tablets)1

Uses

NIASPAN® (niacin extended-release tablets) are 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 buildup of plaque (fatty deposits) in your arteries.

Taking NIASPAN with another cholesterol-lowering medicine (simvastatin) does not reduce heart attacks or strokes more than taking simvastatin alone.

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 has occurred when switching to a long-acting niacin (NIASPAN) from immediate-release niacin. Do not switch between forms of niacin without talking to your healthcare provider.
  • Tell your healthcare provider about any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, as this could be a sign of a serious side effect. This risk increases when NIASPAN is taken, 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 healthcare provider should do blood tests before and during treatment to check liver enzyme levels, as these can increase with treatment.
  • NIASPAN can 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.
  • Tell your healthcare provider if you have kidney problems or a history of gout. NIASPAN can cause an increase in uric acid levels.
  • The most common side effects with NIASPAN are flushing, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, increased cough, and itching.
  • Flushing (warmth, redness, itching, and/or tingling of the skin) is a common side effect of NIASPAN therapy. It may vary in severity and is more likely to happen when starting NIASPAN or during dose increases. Flushing may get better after several weeks of consistent NIASPAN use. 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 healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including aspirin, any cholesterol medication, blood pressure medication, blood thinner medication, or any products containing niacin or nicotinamide.

For more information, talk with your healthcare provider.

References: 1. NIASPAN [package insert]. North Chicago, IL: AbbVie Inc. 2. Mayo Clinic. Niacin can boost ‘good’ cholesterol. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/niacin/art-20046208. Published April 15, 2017. Accessed October 5, 2020. 3. Medicinenet.com website. Statins vs. niacin. https://www.medicinenet.com/statins_vs_niacin/article.htm#statins_vs_niacin Accessed October 5, 2020. 4. WebMD.com website. Niacin (Vitamin B3) https://www.webmd.com/diet/supplement-guide-niacin#1 Accessed October 5, 2020. 5. Andrews KW, Roseland JM, Gusev PA, et al. Analytical ingredient content and variability of adult multivitamin/mineral products: national estimates for the Dietary Supplement Ingredient Database. Am J Clin Nutr. 2017 Feb;105(2):526-539.

Please see the full Prescribing Information for NIASPAN and discuss it with your healthcare provider.

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 are having difficulty paying for your medicine, AbbVie may be able to help. Visit AbbVie.com/myAbbVieAssist to learn more.

If you have any questions about AbbVie’s NIASPAN.com website that have not been answered, click here. This website and the information contained herein is intended for use by U.S. residents only, is provided for informational purposes only, and is not intended to replace a discussion with a healthcare provider. All decisions regarding patient care must be made with a healthcare provider and take into consideration the unique characteristics of each patient.

USES and IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION You Should Know About NIASPAN® (niacin extended-release tablets)1

Uses

NIASPAN® (niacin extended-release) tablets are 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 buildup of plaque (fatty deposits) in your arteries.