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Niacin (vitamin B3, nicotinic acid), is the main component of the prescription drug Niaspan. It is used to treat people suffering from high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, and to prevent heart complications from happening. People who have heart conditions and already suffered an initial heart attack are advised to take Niaspan to lower their risk of having a second attack. In some cases, it is taken to treat pellagra, a disease caused by having a severe deficiency of niacin. There are many possible side effects of Niaspan, so utmost care should be taken when taking it.
People taking Niaspan to help lower cholesterol levels are advised to undertake an exercise program in conjunction with a low fat diet to successfully address their condition. Aside from playing a crucial role in lowering incidences of heart diseases, it also a good source for good digestive health and in the prevention of cataracts.
Some minor side effects to watch out for are mild to moderate lightheadedness, sleeplessness, sweating, cold chills, hot flushes, nausea, digestive problems, and muscle aches. Since most symptoms are moderately minor, and oftentimes disappear after a certain time during the treatment period, most patients are able to continue with their treatment unhindered. In some rare cases, some patients are given additional drugs to offset these side effects.
The more severe side effects of Niaspan may be in the form of many allergic reactions affecting the skin, swelling of the face, difficulty in breathing, irregular heartbeat, chest pain and tightness. Patients who experience having any or all of these severe symptoms are advised to seek immediate medical treatment. Additional side effects also include having dark or bloody stools, clouded vision, and kidney damage that can be ascertained by the occurrence of dark-colored urine, or a sudden decrease in urinating.
Patients are advised to take the recommended daily dosage as prescribed by their doctors, as excessive amounts of niacin in the body can have detrimental consequences. Niaspan may also react negatively when taken with hot fluids and other medications and supplements. The tablets should not be broken down in the mouth to ensure a stable amount of niacin is absorbed and distributed in the body.
When taking Niaspan, it is important to inform your healthcare provider if you are taking any other form of medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements as it may contain some substances that can react negatively with it and therefore might increase or worsen the side effects of Niaspan.
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