niacin extended-release - oral, Niaspan

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GENERIC NAME: NIACIN EXTENDED-RELEASE - ORAL (NYE-a-sin)

BRAND NAME(S): Niaspan

Medication Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage

USES: Niacin is used in addition to a proper diet and exercise to help control levels of fats in the blood. It can help lower "bad" cholesterol and fats (e.g., LDL, triglycerides) and raise "good" cholesterol (HDL). In general, this drug is used after your blood fat levels have not been fully controlled by other treatment (e.g., diet changes, exercise, decreasing alcohol intake, stopping smoking, weight loss if overweight, and controlling blood sugar if diabetic). It may be used with or without other medications.Lowering "bad" cholesterol/triglycerides and raising "good" cholesterol may help decrease the risk for strokes and heart attacks. Lowering fats may also help reduce the risk of pancreas problems (pancreatitis) in people at risk. Niacin is also known as vitamin B-3 (nicotinic acid), one of the B-complex vitamins.

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