It’s sometimes called “bad” cholesterol. It is considered bad because it carries cholesterol through the bloodstream to different tissues, including the arteries. The higher the levels of LDL, the greater the risk of heart disease.1
If there is too much LDL in your blood, LDL can slowly accumulate in the walls of the arteries. This is called plaque. Plaque can narrow your blood vessels and make them less flexible. This condition is called atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries.1
This process can happen to blood vessels anywhere in your body, including your heart. If the arteries in the heart are blocked by plaque, this decreases blood flow to the heart and could lead to chest pain (angina) or even a heart attack.1
Genetics: They partially determine how much LDL the body manufactures and how efficiently it is removed from the blood |
Lack of physical activity |
Being overweight |
Diets that are high in saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol | |
Menopause |
The recommended way to find out if you have high LDL cholesterol is through a blood test called a lipoprotein profile.1 After a 9- to 12-hour fast, your doctor will take a small sample of blood for the test to determine your cholesterol level.1
NIASPAN® (niacin extended-release tablets) are a prescription medication used along with diet when a low-cholesterol diet and exercise alone are not enough.
Taking NIASPAN with another cholesterol-lowering medicine (simvastatin) does not reduce heart attacks or strokes more than taking simvastatin alone.
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
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.
NIASPAN® (niacin extended-release) tablets are a prescription medication used along with diet when a low-cholesterol diet and exercise alone are not enough.