Cholesterol tools and resources

Congratulations on taking steps to find out more about cholesterol and NIASPAN. These additional resources are here to help answer questions you may have.

Doctor discussion guide

If you are concerned about your cholesterol levels, and want to know if NIASPAN may be right for you, start a conversation with your doctor. If you're not sure how to begin or what questions to ask, allow us to help you talk with your doctor about cholesterol and NIASPAN as a treatment.

NIASPAN videos

Meet Pete's brother and Bonnie's sister from the NIASPAN TV ads. Watch how others may share concern for those they care about.

Health tracking tools

If your doctor is concerned about your cholesterol levels, he may ask you to start keeping track of them. Learn how to set goals for healthier cholesterol levels and track your cholesterol numbers. You can even download and print our templates to make tracking easier.

Additional NIASPAN resources

If your doctor has decided that NIASPAN is the right option to help manage your cholesterol levels, we have provided you with a collection of additional resources.

• Flushing Information — Learn about NIASPAN and flushing through this interactive tool
• NIASPAN Tips — Print these helpful hints about managing flushing and stomach upset (PDF)
• NIASPAN Dosing Tracker — Create a routine for yourself so you don't miss a dose (PDF)
• Heart Alliance — Continue to get answers to your questions and updated information about NIASPAN, including free 24 hour support

The FREE Adobe Reader needs to be installed on your computer in order to view and print PDF documents. If you do not already have this program, visit the Adobe Web site. (Note: you will be leaving the NIASPAN.com Web site.)

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.