Niaspan Extended Release

[Guest]

Hi, I was wondering if anyone here takes Niaspan for their high cholesterol because they can't take statins? Did it effect your INR? What is your dosage? Did it lower your bad cholesterol? How about side effects? So far, no flushing for me, no sleep disturbance, etc. You can PM me if you prefer.

I'm on 500 mg for 3 months, test cholesterol levels to see where I am, then adjust from there. I'm sensitive to all medications, my primary has instructed me to test my INR 2 x week as niacin can effect your INR. I checked our drug interaction site(Ross, that has been a lifesaver) and it says no known interactions for Coumadin and Niaspan.

I asked if she would take over my coumadin management and she politely declined. Until I'm stable with the Niaspan, she prefers I stay with the coumadin clinic. The other side is that she has 4 patients that she is currently managing and they are non-compliant and she doesn't want the hassle. I told her I respected her honesty, I was not offended. She did say that because I'm a home tester, she would not think I'd be non-compliant, maybe later down the road she would reconsider.

 

[Ross]

No interactions were found for the drugs you selected.
You searched for interactions between the following drugs :

Coumadin Tablets
Niacin (Vitamin B3) Tablets

No interactions were found for the drugs you selected.
You searched for interactions between the following drugs :

Coumadin Tablets
Niaspan Extended-Release Tablets

 

[Guest]

Thanks Ross, I checked both too. Niacin, over the counter causes flushing, the prescription Niaspan is supposed to not cause flushing, so I'm trying the prescription.

 

[Herb M]

You can find flush free Niacin at most places that sell suppplements.

I have read that time release Niacin can cause problemswith the liver.

 

[BigOwl]

I've probably said this before somewhere but here's a warning: do not take OTC niacin, slow-release or not, unless and until you check with your doc. I very stupidly went off some of my prescriptions several years ago, and the only good thing I got out of it was my new cardiologist. With prescription Niaspan (usually comes in a weaning pack) you have to have your liver enzymes checked periodically (usually in conjunction with levels for other cholesterol-lowering drugs that act on the liver). Niacin is a cheap, powerful, effective drug for some of us, but it has to be monitored. I'm starting my coumadin regimen in conjunction with 2000 mg of Niaspan, and both will be monitored along with Lipitor and Zetia.

 

[Ross]

I've probably said this before somewhere but here's a warning: do not take OTC niacin, slow-release or not, unless and until you check with your doc. I very stupidly went off some of my prescriptions several years ago, and the only good thing I got out of it was my new cardiologist. With prescription Niaspan (usually comes in a weaning pack) you have to have your liver enzymes checked periodically (usually in conjunction with levels for other cholesterol-lowering drugs that act on the liver). Niacin is a cheap, powerful, effective drug for some of us, but it has to be monitored. I'm starting my coumadin regimen in conjunction with 2000 mg of Niaspan, and both will be monitored along with Lipitor and Zetia.

Just let us know how the "Monitoring" is going. I'm dying to know if you have someone that actually knows what they're doing or not.

 

[hensylee]

Thanks Ross, I checked both too. Niacin, over the counter causes flushing, the prescription Niaspan is supposed to not cause flushing, so I'm trying the prescription.

dr gave me samples of Niaspan, took them a few nights until the night I read too long and the FLUSHING really got to me. I then bought non-flushing over the counter - no heat. don't know any results yet.

 

[BigOwl]

Just let us know how the "Monitoring" is going. I'm dying to know if you have someone that actually knows what they're doing or not.

I posted about my first visit to the Coumadin Clinic at Legacy Heart Center in Plano in the "when do you take your coumadin" thread. But these folks do seem to know their stuff, and they were wonderful to me after a rotten experience yesterday.

I had arranged (or thought I had, through my Nurse Practitioner in the hospital) to have my coumadin tested at the closer McKinney hospital, through LabCorp. I should have pricked up my ears at that, but didn't catch it, so dutifully arranged for Little Owl to drive me over there for testing. But to them, I didn't exist, and I'm just as glad--because they would have drawn blood and sent it out for testing. Not only that, there was a big sign on the door about "drug screenings done only at such and such hours"--and they treated me like a bag lady. Not good for people recently spoiled at posh hospitals!

The Coumadin Clinic, on the other hand, is really efficient, quick to adjust the dose, and will work with me until I'm cleared for home testing sometime after I'm stable (and clearly more responsible). It's well worth the 30 minute drive each way to get it done this way.

Anything I should look out for? If I'm to be your spy, don't I need a communicator watch or something?

 

[Guest]

You can find flush free Niacin at most places that sell suppplements.

I have read that time release Niacin can cause problemswith the liver.

I'll have to check this, I've read online that Niaspan is supposed to be the less likely one to cause flushing, and supplements can cause flushing. Supplement Niacin should be monitored as well if you're taking large doses. I just hope it works and lowers my cholesterol without messing around with anything else.

 

[BigOwl]

I'll have to check this, I've read online that Niaspan is supposed to be the less likely one to cause flushing, and supplements can cause flushing. Supplement Niacin should be monitored as well if you're taking large doses. I just hope it works and lowers my cholesterol without messing around with anything else.

I never once experienced flushing with Niaspan because I was weaned onto it slowly (I had been on Niacor B3, onto which I was also slowly weaned). I take 2000 mg per day, and it seems to be highly effective in keeping my HDL on the high side.

But again, the warning: not all OTC niacin is created equal. So if you plan to use it, ask your doc for a recommendation if he/she can give you one, and then make sure you let him/her know what you end up with.

 

[Eva]

I take Niacin (non-flush), Louise, but I do not know about the Exteneded Release.

It helped to elevate my good cholesterol, but did not lower the bad one for me. It worked for people I know who took it with a combination of Fish Oil or Omega-3 pills.

Good luck and keep us posted.