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

Living with cholesterol

If you have been diagnosed with high cholesterol, your doctor may have already advised you to make healthy changes in your lifestyle.

These changes might include eating a low-cholesterol diet and exercising more. The main goal in making healthy changes is to lower your LDL level.1

5 benefits of lower LDL1

Prevent
heart attacks

Reduce deaths
from heart disease

Slow, stop,
or even reverse
plaque buildup

Stabilize plaques
to reduce heart attack risk

Prolong life
of heart disease
patients

 

Simple changes can lower bad cholesterol.1

Action Goal LDL reduction Steps you may take
Reduce weight1
10 pounds
5–8%
  • Ask your doctor for healthy ways to shed pounds
Reduce saturated fat1 Less than 7% of calories 8–10%
  • Eat more fruits and vegetables2
  • Eat more fish and skinless chicken2
  • Choose leaner cuts of beef and pork2
  • Bake, broil, or grill; avoid frying2
Reduce dietary cholesterol1 Less than 200 mg/day 3–5%
  • Read food labels3
  • Eliminate trans fats3
  • Choose more foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids3
  • Add whey protein3
Increase soluble fiber1 Add 5–10 grams/day 3–5%
  • Eat more grains and cereals4
  • Consume more beans and legumes4
  • Eat more fruits and vegetables4
  • Take fiber supplements4

Talk to your doctor about diet and exercise.

To address high cholesterol, it is essential to work with your healthcare team to build a plan that includes a a diet and exercise plan that are right for you. Discuss your treatment plan and make sure you’re on the same page as your healthcare team about your goals and next steps.

Also, tell your doctor about any symptoms or side effects you may experience.

AND

Your doctor has some opinions about what you eat. They can provide direction to help you make healthier mealtime decisions.

Learn more about diet

AND

Your healthcare providers can offer advice on your physical activity level. They can help you take steps to incorporate appropriate forms of exercise for you.

Learn more about exercise

USES and IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION You Should Know About NIASPAN® (niacin extended-release) tablets5

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. US Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Your Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol With TLC. NIH publication No. 06-5235. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/files/docs/public/heart/chol_tlc.pdf. Published December 2005. Accessed January 29, 2020. 2. Texas Heart Institute. 14 simple ways to reduce saturated fat. https://www.texasheart.org/heart-health/heart-information-center/topics/14-simple-ways-to-reduce-saturated-fat/. Accessed January 29, 2020. 3. Mayo Clinic. Top 5 lifestyle changes to improve your cholesterol. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/reduce-cholesterol/art-20045935?p=1. Published June 19, 2015. Accessed January 29, 2020. 4. University of California San Francisco Medical Center. Increasing fiber intake. https://www.ucsfhealth.org/education/increasing_fiber_intake/. Accessed January 29, 2020. 5. NIASPAN [package insert]. North Chicago, IL: AbbVie Inc.

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) tablets5

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.