What is Niaspan?
Niaspan belongs to a type of medications, aimed at reduction of triglycerides and cholesterol in the body, while increasing the level of food cholesterol. The innovative composition of the treatment that contains vitamin B3 and niacin, known as nicotinic acid, promotes the desirable effect without any harm to the overall health condition. Generally, Niaspan is prescribed in cases patients have high levels of bad cholesterol or triglycerides in the blood. Additionally, it serves a preventative medication to warn heart attack, especially in patients, who have already experienced it. Besides, Niaspan can be administered by people, who are diagnosed with coronary artery disease. Ask your doctor about other off-label uses of Niaspan and their safety.
Recommendations for Use
Administer Niaspan right as directed by the doctor and instructed in the safety guide. Do not change the prescription even if the therapy seems ineffective. Contact the doctor and report all the disorders. The treatment should be used in a correct dose that will be both safe and effective. Your healthcare specialist will also recommend you a proper length of the treatment course.
Take Niaspan with much water, preferably at bedtime. The treatment can lead to numerous side effects, especially if a patient keeps drinking alcohol. Do not break or crush the tablet, while using it, as it can lead to overdose with its harmful consequences.
Precautions and Contraindications
Talk to your doctor primarily to Niaspan treatment course. Irrespective of high effectiveness and safety of the drug, it can cause dangerous side effects, if misused or overused. Inform the physician about all the illnesses, impairments and abnormalities you have for him/her to adjust a proper dose that will not only be sufficient for a beneficial effect, but also safe. Pay ultimate attention to the health conditions, including gout, diabetes, kidney or liver disorders, abnormal chest pain, myasthenia gravis and other problems.
Niaspan is contraindicated for people, who are allergic to its ingredients, diagnosed with stomach ulcer, liver disorders or have active bleeding. Moreover, pregnant and breastfeeding women are not advised to undergo Niaspan therapy, as it may trigger aggravating influences on an unborn and nursing child. Hot drinks and alcohol will significantly decrease the effectiveness of Niaspan action.
Drug Interactions
The proper dose is based on numerous factors, with other medications the patient uses being not the least important feature. Thus, inform your doctor about the drugs, vitamins, supplements and minerals you are using to avoid undesirable interactions. Niaspan should not be administered together with other medications that lower cholesterol levels, as it may cause overdose and lead to critically low cholesterol range. Tell your healthcare provider about all the other therapies you are undergoing, with ultimate attention to Lovastatin, Simvastatin, Atorvastatin, Felodipine, Diltiazem, Nifedipine, Verapamil, Nitroglycerin, Prazosin, Terazosin, blood thinners, niacin containing supplements, heart treatments, blood pressure remedies, etc.
Side Effects
Call your physician if Niaspan intake caused any health complications or abnormalities, especially allergic reactions, swelling, jaundice, irregular heartbeats, lightheadedness, muscle tenderness, pain, symptoms of flu or cold, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, stomach disorders, headache, dizziness and others.