The prescription drug Niaspan is able to be used to lower cholesterol and triglycerides in people with high levels. This medication is able to also lower the chances of another heart attack in people with a history of heart attack and high cholesterol. Niaspan comes in tablet form and is usually taken once a day. Possible side effects include headache, diarrhea and neck and flushing of the face.

Who Makes It?

Niaspan is manufactured by Abbott Laboratories.

What Is Niaspan Used For?

This medication has been approved for more than a few uses, including:

• Lowering cholesterol levels in people with hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol). Niaspan can decrease total cholesterol, LDL (“bad” cholesterol), apo B (a component of cholesterol that is related to several heart disease risk factors), and VLDL (very low density lipoprotein cholesterol). It also raises HDL (“good” cholesterol).

• Lowering triglycerides in people with hypertriglyceridemia (high triglyceride levels). Very high triglyceride levels in the body increase the risk of developing a condition known as pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas).

• Lowering triglycerides or cholesterol levels in people who are already taking another cholesterol medication, such as statins or bile acid sequestrants (e.g., cholestyramine, colestipol, colesevelam).

• Decreasing the chances of another heart attack in people who have a history of both a heart attack and high cholesterol.

• When combined with a bile acid sequestrant, slowing the progression of atherosclerosis (narrowing or hardening of the arteries) in people with a history of coronary artery disease (CAD) and high cholesterol.

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