Dr. Ogbru received his Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy in 1995. He completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Arizona/University Medical Center in 1996. He was a Professor of Pharmacy Practice and a Regional Clerkship Coordinator for the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy from 1996-99.
Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Niacin (nicotinic acid, vitamin B3) is a part of
the normal diet that is essential to various chemical reactions in the body. It
is used medically to treat individuals with deficiency of niacin. Advanced
deficiency of niacin can lead to a condition called pellagra in which
individuals develop diarrhea,
dermatitis (inflammation of the skin), and
dementia. Niacin also is used to reduce cholesterol and
triglyceride levels in
the blood. Specifically it reduces bad cholesterol (LDL cholesterol) and
increases good cholesterol (HDL cholesterol). It is not clear how niacin causes
its effects on cholesterol and triglyceride levels, but it may be by reducing
the production of proteins that transport cholesterol and triglycerides in the
blood.
Niacin is available in immediate and slow-release forms (Niaspan,
Slo-Niacin). Natural sources of niacin include meat, poultry, liver, fish, nuts,
green vegetables, whole grains, and potatoes. Niaspan was approved by the FDA in
July 1997.
PRESCRIPTION: Most formulations are available over the counter.
GENERIC AVAILABLE: Yes
PREPARATIONS: Tablets: 250, 500, 750, and 1000 mg. Capsules: 250 and 500 mg
STORAGE: Niacin should be stored at room temperature between 15-30 C
(59-86 F).
PRESCRIBED FOR: Niacin is used for treating niacin deficiency. It is also
used for reducing elevated blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels and
increasing HDL cholesterol. In patients with high cholesterol,
coronary artery
disease that increase the risk of
heart attacks, niacin reduces the risk of
heart attacks, and slows progression or promotes regression of coronary artery
disease.
DOSING: The recommended oral dose of immediate release niacin for treating
high cholesterol levels in adults is 1-2 g two to three times daily. The maximum
recommended dose is 6 g daily. When using extended release tablets, the maximum
recommended dose is 2 g per day. Niacin should be started at low doses and
increased slowly over several weeks. To avoid stomach upset, niacin should be
taken with meals.
Extended release tablets should be swallowed whole and should not be crushed
or chewed. Extended release formulations should not be substituted with
equivalent doses of immediate release niacin since this leads to an overdose of
niacin that may cause liver failure.
Pellagra may be treated with up to 500 mg per day of oral niacin.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Use of niacin with drugs that cause liver or muscle
injury, for example, lovastatin (Mevacor) or simvastatin (Zocor) may increase
the occurrence of liver or muscle injury.
Niacin may increase blood glucose levels in individuals with
diabetes. Therefore, medications
for controlling blood glucose may need to be adjusted when niacin is taken by
those with diabetes.
Bile acid sequestrants (for example, cholestyramine
[Questran]) bind and
prevent absorption of niacin. Administration of bile acid sequestrants and
niacin should be separated by 4-6 hours.
PREGNANCY: It is not known whether the high doses of niacin used in treating
elevated cholesterol levels are harmful to the fetus during
pregnancy.
Eczema, also known as dermatitis, is a general term for many types of skin inflammation. The most common form of eczema is atopic dermatitis. The other forms of eczema include: contact eczema, seborrheic eczema, Nummular eczema, Neurodermatitis, stasis dermatitis, and dyshidrotic eczema. Symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of eczema may vary from person to person and may depend on the type of eczema.
Night sweats are severe hot flashes that occur at night and result in a drenching sweat. In order to distinguish night sweats that arise from medical causes from those that occur because one's surroundings are too warm, doctors generally refer to true night sweats as severe hot flashes occurring at night that can drench sleepwear and sheets, which are not related to an overheated environment.
Liver disease can be cause by a variety of things including infection (hepatitis), diseases such as gallstones, high cholesterol or triglycerides, blood flow obstruction to the liver, and toxins (medications and chemicals). Symptoms of liver disease depends upon the cause; however, common symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, upper right abdominal pain, and jaundice. Treatment depends upon the cause of the liver disease.
A stroke results from impaired oxygen delivery to brain cells via the bloodstream. A stroke is also referred to as a CVA, or cerebrovascular incident. Symptoms of stroke include: sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg. Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding. Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes, sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance, and/or sudden severe headache with no known cause. A TIA, or transient ischemic attack is a short-lived temporary impairment of the brain caused by loss of blood supply. Stroke is a medical emergency.
Cholesterol is naturally produced by the body, and is a building block for cell membranes and hormones. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is the "bad" cholesterol, conversely, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is the "good" cholesterol. High cholesterol treatment includes lifestyle changes (diet and exercise), and medications such as statins, bile acid resins, and fibric acid derivatives.
Heart attack happens when a blood clot completely obstructs a coronary
artery supplying blood to the heart muscle. A heart attack can cause chest pain, heart failure, and electrical
instability of the heart.
Cholesterol is the most common type of steroid in the body. The treatment of elevated cholesterol involves not only diet but also weight loss, regular exercise, and medications. By understanding your cholesterol profile you can better manage your cholesterol levels.
Heart attacks are the major causes of unexpected, sudden death among men and women. A heart attack is also a significant cause of heart failure. Learn the risk factors for heart attack such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and other heart conditions. Lowering your risk factor, lifestyle changes, and in some cases medication are the most effective way of preventing a heart attack.
Cholesterol occurs naturally in the body. High blood cholesterol levels increase a person's risk of developing heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, TIAs, and more. In addition to medication (fibrates, statins, bile acid sequestrants, and niacin), lifestyle changes can be made to lower blood cholesterol levels
The liver, located in the right upper portion of the abdominal cavity just
beneath the right side of the rib cage, has many vital functions. Briefly, some
of these functions are:
Detoxification of blood
Production of important clotting factor and other important proteins
Metabolizing (processing) medications and nutrients
Processing of waste products of hemoglobin
Storing of vitamins, fat, cholesterol, and bile
Production of glucose
What are common liver blood tests?
Liver blood tests are some of the most commonly performed blood tests. These tests can assess liver functions or liver injury. An initial step in detecting liver damage is a simple blood test to determine the presence of certain liver enzymes (proteins) in the blood. Under normal circumstances, these enzymes reside within the cells of the liv...
Cholesterol RSS
Healthy Living Tips
