NIACOR SUMMARY
Niacin or nicotinic acid, a water-soluble B-complex vitamin and antihyperlipidemic agent, is 3-pyridinecarboxylic acid. It is a white, crystalline powder, sparingly soluble in water.
Niacor is indicated for the following:
I. Therapy with lipid-altering agents should be only one component of multiple risk factor intervention in those individuals at significantly increased risk for atherosclerotic vascular disease due to hypercholesterolemia. Nicotinic acid, alone or in combination with a bile-acid binding resin, is indicated as an adjunct to diet for the reduction of elevated total and LDL cholesterol levels in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia (Types IIa and IIb)†, when the response to a diet restricted in saturated fat and cholesterol and other nonpharmacologic measures alone has been inadequate (see also the NCEP treatment guidelines6). Prior to initiating therapy with nicotinic acid, secondary causes for hypercholesterolemia (e.g., poorly controlled diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, nephrotic syndrome, dysproteinemias, obstructive liver disease, other drug therapy, alcoholism) should be excluded, and a lipid profile performed to measure total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides.
II. Nicotinic acid is also indicated as adjunctive therapy for the treatment of adult patients with very high serum triglyceride levels (Types IV and V hyperlipidemia)† who present a risk of pancreatitis and who do not respond adequately to a determined dietary effort to control them. Such patients typically have serum triglyceride levels over 2000 mg/dL and have elevations of VLDL cholesterol as well as fasting chylomicrons (Type V hyperlipidemia)†. Subjects who consistently have total serum or plasma triglycerides below 1000 mg/dL are unlikely to develop pancreatitis. Therapy with nicotinic acid may be considered for those subjects with triglyceride elevations between 1000 and 2000 mg/dL who have a history of pancreatitis or of recurrent abdominal pain typical of pancreatitis. Some Type IV patients with triglycerides under 1000 mg/dL may, through dietary or alcoholic indiscretion, convert to a Type V pattern with massive triglyceride elevations accompanying fasting chylomicronemia, but the influence of nicotinic acid therapy on the risk of pancreatitis in such situations has not been adequately studied. Drug therapy is not indicated for patients with Type I hyperlipoproteinemia, who have elevations of chylomicrons and plasma triglycerides, but who have normal levels of VLDL. Inspection of plasma refrigerated for 14 hours is helpful in distinguishing Types I, IV, and V hyperlipoproteinemia7.
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NEWS HIGHLIGHTSMedia Articles Related to Niacor (Niacin)
Use Of Drugs To Block "Niacin Flush" In Heart Patients Questioned
Source: Cholesterol News From Medical News Today [2012.04.11]
Niacin, or vitamin B3, is the one approved drug that elevates "good" cholesterol (high density lipoprotein, HDL) while depressing "bad" cholesterol (low density lipoprotein , LDL), and has thereby attracted much attention from patients and physicians. Niacin keeps fat from breaking down, and so obstructs the availability of LDL building blocks...
Published Studies Related to Niacor (Niacin)
Effect of niacin on erectile function in men suffering erectile dysfunction and dyslipidemia. [2011.10]
INTRODUCTION: Dyslipidemia is closely related to erectile dysfunction (ED). Evidence has shown that the lipid-lowering agent, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitor (statins), can improve erectile function. However, information about the potential role of another class of lipid-lowering agent, niacin, is unknown. AIM: To assess the effect of niacin alone on erectile function in patients suffering from both ED and dyslipidemia... CONCLUSIONS: Niacin alone can improve the erectile function in patients suffering from moderate to severe ED and dyslipidemia. (c) 2011 International Society for Sexual Medicine.
Extended-release niacin/laropiprant lowers serum phosphorus concentrations in patients with type 2 diabetes. [2011.07]
BACKGROUND: Niacin compounds lower serum phosphorus concentrations in patients with end-stage renal disease. METHODOLOGY: We evaluated the impact of extended release niacin, given in fixed-dose combination with laropiprant, a specific inhibitor of prostaglandin-mediated, niacin-induced flushing, versus placebo, on serum phosphorus concentrations measured serially (at weeks 0, 4, 8, 12, 18, 24, 30, and 36) during a 36-week randomized, controlled trial...
Combination of niacin and fenofibrate with lifestyle changes improves dyslipidemia and hypoadiponectinemia in HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy: results of "heart positive," a randomized, controlled trial. [2011.07]
CONTEXT: HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART) have a unique dyslipidemia [elevated triglycerides and non-high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), low HDL-C] with insulin resistance (characterized by hypoadiponectinemia). OBJECTIVE: The aim was to test a targeted, comprehensive, additive approach to treating the dyslipidemia... CONCLUSIONS: A combination of fenofibrate and niacin with low-saturated-fat D/E is effective and safe in increasing HDL-C, decreasing non-HDL-C and hypertriglyceridemia, and ameliorating hypoadiponectinemia in patients with HIV/ART-associated dyslipidemia.
Quercetin with vitamin C and niacin does not affect body mass or composition. [2011.06]
In vitro and animal data suggest that quercetin affects adipogenesis and basal metabolism; however, whether this metabolic effect translates to reductions in body mass or improvement in body composition in humans is unknown. This study investigated 12-week supplementation of 2 different doses of quercetin, combined with vitamin C and niacin, on body mass and composition in a large, heterogeneous group of adults (n = 941; 60% female, 40% male; 18-85 years of age; 45% normal body mass index, 30% overweight, 25% obese)...
The effect of gemfibrozil, niacin and cholestyramine combination therapy on metabolic syndrome in the Armed Forces Regression Study. [2011.05]
INTRODUCTION: Metabolic syndrome is a powerful predictor of cardiovascular events independent of overt diabetes. Dietary restriction and weight loss modify metabolic syndrome components. This study addresses whether combination pharmacologic therapy focused on dyslipidemia provides additional benefit... CONCLUSIONS: The combination of gemfibrozil, niacin and cholestyramine has profound, beneficial effects on the components of metabolic syndrome. These benefits are additive to those seen with aggressive diet and lifestyle modification.
Clinical Trials Related to Niacor (Niacin)
Nicotinamide Versus Sevelamer Hydrochloride on Phosphatemia Control on Chronic Hemodialysed Patients [Recruiting]
The comparison between nicotinamide and sevelamer aims to demonstrate, in chronic
hemodialysed patients, the non-inferiority of nicotinamide in terms of control of the
phosphatemia. Secondary objectives is to compare the two treatments in terms of efficiency
in other biological parameters, vascular calcification and bone mass loss and on the
clinical and biological tolerance and finally to explore the roles of metabolites of
nicotinamide.
Biosynthesis of PGD2 in Vivo [Recruiting]
We would like to see if aspirin could block niacin-induced flushing by analyzing blood and
urine after taking aspirin.
Phase I: 5 days of 81 mg aspirin/placebo followed by 600 mg Niacin, 2 week washout and 5
days taking the alternate. The order in which this is given will be randomized or assigned
by chance.
Phase II: One study week consisting of 5 days of taking 81 mg Aspirin, taken once daily,
followed by a single dose of 600 mg Niacin on day 6.
Phase III: 5 days taking 81 mg Aspirin/placebo, 10 day washout in between.
Randomized, Controlled Trial of Extended-Release Niacin (Niaspan�) to Augment Subacute Ischemic Stroke Recovery [Recruiting]
Flexible Doses of Niacin (Niaspan) as an Adjunct to Antipsychotic Medication in the Treatment of First Episode Psychosis [Recruiting]
Cognitive deficits, including impairments in areas such as memory, attention, and executive
function, are a major determinant and predictor of long-term disability in schizophrenia.
Individuals with cognitive impairment have poorer psychosocial outcomes, including work,
social skills, and self care.
A major objective of the proposed research will be to extend previous findings of enhanced
function and neuroprotective effects of niaspan administration in first episode psychosis
patients.
The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of niaspan as an adjunct to
antipsychotic medication versus antipsychotic medication alone on cognitive, symptomatic and
functional outcomes in the treatment of first episode psychosis patients.
The Genetics of Evoked Responses to Niacin and Endotoxemia: The GENE Study [Recruiting]
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PATIENT REVIEWS / RATINGS / COMMENTSBased on a total of 2 ratings/reviews, Niacor has an overall score of 6.50. The effectiveness score is 6 and the side effect score is 6. The scores are on ten point scale: 10 - best, 1 - worst.
| | Niacor review by 63 year old male patient | | | Rating |
| Overall rating: | |  |
| Effectiveness: | | Highly Effective |
| Side effects: | | Mild Side Effects | | |
Treatment Info |
| Condition / reason: | | hypercholesterolemia w/ low LDL |
| Dosage & duration: | | 1,000mg taken 1x - 2x / day for the period of 6 mos |
| Other conditions: | | CAD, hypertension |
| Other drugs taken: | | Lipitor, Toporol, Plavix, HCTZ, Asprin, Omega 3 supplement, CoQ10 | | |
Reported Results |
| Benefits: | | Very effective increase of HDL |
| Side effects: | | Flushing in the beginning. |
| Comments: | | I added supplements after statins were not effective at raising HDL to "good" levels. Although excellent at reducing LDL. The most dramatic effect was the addition of Niacin. I've added other anti-oxidants and supplements since, but the measurable results from Nicin therapy were dramatic. |
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| | Niacor review by 54 year old female patient | | | Rating |
| Overall rating: | |  |
| Effectiveness: | | Ineffective |
| Side effects: | | Severe Side Effects | | |
Treatment Info |
| Condition / reason: | | high cholesterol |
| Dosage & duration: | | 100 mg gradually increasing to 400 mg taken three times a day for the period of 4 days |
| Other conditions: | | osteoporosis |
| Other drugs taken: | | fosamax | | |
Reported Results |
| Benefits: | | I was not willing to deal with the effects of the drug three times a day and so I discontinued use. |
| Side effects: | | There were no side effects -- but the expected effects were very intense -- a hot flush that moved from my face to my legs, and itching on my arms, legs, back, and torso. |
| Comments: | | Niacin taken in such a large dose opens the capillaries. This increases the blood flow close to the skin and releases histamines. The resulting hot flush and itching lasts for about 15 minutes. It is an interesting experience, but three times a day is a bit much, especially during my at work dose. The red face was alarming my customers and the itching was a bit too distracting. |
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Page last updated: 2012-04-11
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