If you have elevated cholesterol levels, it puts you at a greater risk for developing atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, heart attack and stroke. If your cholesterol levels are too high, over 200 mg/dL, your doctor may prescribe a cholesterol-lowering medication. Niaspan is long-acting, prescription strength niacin, or vitamin B3, that can be used alone or in combination with other cholesterol medications to improve your high-density lipoprotein, or HDL, and lower your low-density lipoprotein, or LDL. Consult your doctor about taking Niaspan to raise your HDL levels.
HDL Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a waxy substance that makes up part of the lipids, or fats, in your body. Lipids are needed for production of hormones, bile acids, vitamin D and to maintain cell membranes. Lipids don't dissolve in water, so they must be encased in a lipoprotein shell to be transported through your bloodstream. Your liver produces two types of cholesterol, HDL and LDL. HDL cholesterol is often termed the "good" cholesterol because it appears to protect you from heart problems by carrying excess cholesterol in the arteries back to the liver for removal. The American Heart Association states that you need a blood level of at least 60 mg/dL of HDL to protect your heart.
Taking Niaspan
HDL levels below 40 mg/dL for men and 50 mg/dL for women can lead to heart problems. Along with following a diet low in saturated fats and getting enough exercise, your physician may prescribe Niaspan to help boost your HDL levels and lower your levels of LDL, the type of cholesterol that causes plaques to form in your arteries. Niaspan is also used to prevent subsequent heart attacks in people who have already had one and lower triglycerides, other fats that can be harmful to your heart if elevated.
Dosage of Niaspan
Your doctor prescribes the dosage of Niaspan that is appropriate for you, which depends on your age, overall health and other medications. Treatment with Niaspan must be instituted in a controlled fashion to lessen the impact of some its side effects. Typically, you take the initial dosage of 500 mg Niaspan at bedtime with a low-fat snack. After one to four weeks, Niaspan dosage is increased to 1,000 mg. After eight weeks, your doctor determines if that dose is effective or if it needs to be increased to 1,500 or 2,000 mg.
Precautions
Never self-treat high cholesterol with over-the-counter niacin, or vitamin B3. If you are taking over-the-counter niacin for other reasons, inform your health-care provider before starting treatment with Niaspan. Abbot Laboratories, the manufacturer of Niaspan, warns of potential for severe liver damage if you switch from an immediate-acting niacin supplement to long-acting Niaspan. Other side effects include flushing of the face, headache, stomach upset, diarrhea and heartburn. Niaspan can also cause more serious side effects, such as muscle pain, increased uric acid levels, increased blood sugar levels and increased risk of bleeding.
