Precautions and Warnings With Niacin Extended-Release

There are many precautions and warnings with niacin extended-release to be aware of. Among other things, niacin extended-release can contribute to gout and high blood sugar, interact with a number of medicines (such as statins), and have side effects like an increase in liver enzymes. A few of the conditions to let your doctor know about before taking niacin extended-release include stomach or intestinal ulcers, gallbladder disease or gallstones, and heart disease or a history of heart attack.

 

Niacin Extended-Release: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?

Prior to taking niacin extended-release (Niaspan®), you should talk with your healthcare provider if you have:
 
  • Diabetes
  • Gallbladder disease or gallstones
  • Gout
  • Low blood counts, low platelet counts, or bleeding problems
  • Heart disease or a history of heart attack
  • Kidney disease or kidney failure
  • Liver disease or liver failure
  • Low blood pressure (or if you are taking blood pressure medication)
  • Stomach or intestinal ulcers
  • An allergy to niacin extended-release, any other medications, foods, dyes (tartrazine), or preservatives.
     
It is also important to let your healthcare provider know if you are:
 
  • Pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant
  • Breastfeeding
  • A frequent user of alcoholic beverages.
     
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you may currently be taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Some vitamins or nutritional supplements may contain niacin or related substances that can increase the side effects of niacin extended-release.
 
(Precautions and Warnings With Niacin Extended-Release Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;