Thursday, November 20, 2008
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NiaspanFlushing may occur temporarily when you first start taking this medicine or when you first increase the dose. A gradual increase in the dose helps decrease flushing.Please notify us if you have any problems with Niaspan or if you are taking Vitamins/supplements containing more than 100 mg of niacin. The doctor wants your labs repeated after you have been taking 1000 mg of Niaspan for 4 weeks. It is important to have your blood tests done promptly when ordered so that your liver enzymes, as well as your cholesterol levels, can be monitored.
Name NIASPAN (Niacin, extended-release tablets)
Purpose To lower total cholesterol, LDL, Lp(a), and triglycerides, and raise HDL.
Dosage and Administration
Niaspan 500 mg. to 2000 mg. daily at bedtime. In order to reduce “flushing” (i.e. warmth, redness, itching and/or tingling), we recommend that you take an aspirin 30 minutes before taking Niaspan, enjoy a low-fat snack with a cold non-alcoholic beverage, and then take Niaspan at bedtime. Do not take Niaspan on a empty stomach.
Week 1-4 Niaspan 500 mg. 1 tablet at bedtime
Week 5-8 Niaspan 500 mg. 2 tablets at bedtime
Week 9 and following: Personalized Dosing__________________________
Niaspan tablets should be taken whole, not broken, crushed, or chewed. The daily dosage of Niaspan should not be increased by more than 500 mg in any 4-week period. You should only take the dose prescribed for you. Do not substitute any other Niacin products or change dosage of this medication without consulting the Lipid Clinic.
Please notify us if you have any problems with Niaspan or if you are taking Vitamins/supplements containing more than 100 mg of niacin. The doctor wants your labs repeated after you have been taking 1000 mg of Niaspan for 4 weeks. It is important to have your blood tests done promptly when ordered so that your liver enzymes, as well as your cholesterol levels, can be monitored.
You should not take Niaspan if
You have liver disease, active peptic ulcer, arterial bleeding, or a hypersensitvity to niacin.
You should be cautious about taking Niaspan with Lopid (Gemfibrozil), Tricor, or high dose statins; however, combinations of these medications may be ordered by the Lipid MD with careful monitoring.
PRECAUTION
Women capable of childbearing must have a pregnancy test (serum HCG) before starting this medication. This is a category C drug and not recommended for use during pregnancy or lactation.