Track your cholesterol numbers

If your doctor has determined that your cholesterol levels are abnormal, setting cholesterol goals to help you live a healthier lifestyle is important. To make it easier to see your progress, it may help to keep a record of your goals. To begin, discuss with your doctor where your cholesterol levels should be. Be sure to ask about:

• LDL (bad) cholesterol
• HDL (good) cholesterol
• Triglycerides

And don't forget your total cholesterol number.

Then, use our printable cholesterol tracker to compare your target cholesterol levels and your most recent results. This will aid you in discussing your progress with your doctor at each visit.

Download and print the cholesterol tracker (PDF)

To achieve and maintain heart health, it is helpful to set targets and keep track of your advancement. A health diary may help you organize your goals and focus you on your heart health. Our weekly health diary template gives you the tools you need to get started. Print multiple copies to give yourself a month’s worth of entries.

Download and print the weekly health diary (PDF)

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.