Viewer Question:
What is cholesterol-lowering
niacin or
nitcotinic acid?
Doctor's Response:
Nicotinic acid or niacin, one of the water-soluble B vitamins, improves
all
lipoproteins when given in doses well above the vitamin
requirement.
Nicotinic acid lowers the total
cholesterol, "bad" LDL-cholesterol, and triglyceride levels,
while raising the "good" HDL-cholesterol level.
There are two types of nicotinic acid: immediate release and timed release. Most experts recommend
starting with the immediate-release form; discuss with your doctor which type is best for you.
Nicotinic acid is inexpensive and widely accessible to patients without a prescription but must not
be used for cholesterol lowering without the monitoring of a physician because of the potential side
effects. (Nicotinamide, another form of the vitamin niacin, does not lower cholesterol levels and
should not be used in the place of nicotinic acid.)
All patients taking nicotinic acid to lower serum cholesterol
should be closely monitored by their doctor to avoid complications from this medication. Self-medication
with nicotinic acid should definitely be avoided because of the possibility of missing a serious side
effect if not under a doctor's care.
Patients on nicotinic acid are usually started on low daily doses and gradually increased to an average
daily dose of 1.5 to 3 grams per day.
Nicotinic acid reduces LDL-cholesterol levels by 10 to 20 percent, reduces
triglycerides by 20 to 50 percent, and raises HDL-cholesterol by 15 to
35 percent.
A common and troublesome side effect of nicotinic acid is flushing or hot
flashes, which are the result of the widening of blood vessels. Most patients develop a tolerance to
flushing, and in some patients, it can be decreased by taking the drug during or after meals or by the use of
aspirin or other similar medications prescribed by your doctor. The effect of high blood pressure medicines
may also be increased while you are on niacin. If you are taking high blood
pressure medication, it is important to set up a blood pressure monitoring system while you are getting
used to your new niacin regimen. A variety of gastrointestinal symptoms including nausea, indigestion, gas,
vomiting, diarrhea, and the activation of peptic ulcers have been seen with the use of nicotinic acid.
Three other major adverse effects include liver problems, gout, and high blood sugar. Risk of these
three complications increases as the dose of nicotinic acid is increased. Your doctor will probably not
prescribe this medicine for you if you have diabetes, because of the
effect on your blood sugar.
Thank you for your question.
Last Editorial Review: 12/30/2004
Cholesterol RSS