Loading...
When niacin is used to treat hypercholesterolemia, it is often prescribed in sustained-release (SR) form to reduce vasodilatory side effects. However, SR niacin may cause liver toxicity. This randomized study compared increasing doses of SR and immediate-release (IR) niacin in 46 adults with LDL cholesterol levels above 160 mg/dl.
Each drug was given at 500, 1000, 1500, 2000, and 3000 mg per day in two divided doses for six weeks each. Patients were advised to take food with each dose and take aspirin 30 minutes before the morning dose.
At daily doses of 1500 mg or more, SR niacin lowered LDL cholesterol significantly more than IR niacin; 3000 mg of SR niacin lowered LDL cholesterol 50 percent, versus 22 percent with IR niacin. However, at al…