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

What you should know when taking NIASPAN

When taking NIASPAN, you may experience a common side effect known as flushing.1

Flushing happens when tiny blood vessels near the surface of the skin (especially on the face, neck, chest, and/or back) open wider. Below are some simple tips that may help you manage flushing.

What is flushing?1

Many people describe flushing as warmth, redness, itching, or tingling of the skin, mostly on the face and upper body. Flushing occurs as blood vessels expand, increasing the flow of blood to the surface of the skin.

Warmth

Redness

Itching

Tingling

Flushing feels different for everyone. You may experience flushing when you first begin taking NIASPAN or when your doctor increases your dose.

Many patients who continue taking NIASPAN notice that flushing lessens after several weeks.

Tips to help if flushing occurs1

  1. Take aspirin (up to the recommended dose of 325 mg) 30 minutes before taking NIASPAN. This can help reduce the frequency and severity of flushing. Just check with your doctor first.
  2. Take NIASPAN at bedtime. This way, flushing will most likely occur during sleep. If flushing wakes you up, get up slowly—especially if you feel dizzy or faint, or take blood pressure medications.
  3. Take NIASPAN with a low-fat snack, like almonds. This will lessen upset stomach.
  4. Avoid alcohol, hot beverages (including coffee), and spicy foods near the time you take NIASPAN. This can help reduce the chance of flushing.

Other common side effects may include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, increased cough, and itching.1

Safety Considerations1

  • NIASPAN should not be taken by people with stomach ulcers or liver or serious bleeding problems
  • Severe liver damage has occurred when switching to a long-acting niacin, such as NIASPAN, from immediate-release niacin
  • Blood tests are needed before and during treatment with NIASPAN to check for liver problems
  • Contact a healthcare provider if serious side effects such as unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness develop. The risk of these side effects may be higher among elderly patients and patients with diabetes, kidney, or thyroid problems
  • Tell your healthcare provider if you have a history of gout, drink large amounts of alcohol, or if you are diabetic and experience increases in blood sugar
  • The most common side effect of NIASPAN is flushing (warmth, redness, itching, and/or tingling of the skin)

Is NIASPAN right for you?1

Only your doctor can decide if NIASPAN should be part of your treatment plan.

NIASPAN and other medicines (including vitamins and herbal supplements) can react with each other and may cause side effects.

Tell your doctor about all the prescription and non-prescription medicines you take, including:

  • Aspirin
  • Cholesterol or triglyceride medication
  • Blood pressure medication
  • Anticoagulants, also known as blood thinners
  • Any products containing niacin or nicotinamide

Also tell your doctor if you consume large amounts of alcohol.

What is
NIASPAN?

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high cholesterol

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USES and IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION You Should Know About NIASPAN® (niacin extended-release tablets)1

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.

Reference: 1. 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 tablets)1

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.