Niacin

Niacin is form of vitamin B3. Niacin is also called nicotinic acid. Niacin is not stored in the body which means that you need a regular supply of niacin through vitamins and foods. Niacin helps the digestive system, skin, and nerves to function. It is also important converting food to energy.

Niacin is a used as a treatment option for low cholesterol (HDL), high cholesterol (LDL), and triglyceride levels.

Niacin is available under the following different brand names: Simcor

Tablets

• 50 mg – 1 gram tablet, extended release taken by mouth

Dosage Considerations

• Take with cold liquid and a low-fat snack.
• Swallow tablet whole; do not break, crush, or chew.
• Flushing may be reduced by pre-treatment with no enteric-coated aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), 30 minutes before dose.
• Reiterate dose if therapy discontinued for over 7 days.
• Due to risk of hepatotoxicity, substitute Simcor only for equivalent doses of niacin-ER, and no other forms of niacin.
• Monitor liver function tests 6 weeks after initiation or dose escalation.

Adult Dosage

Hyperlipidemia

December 31, 2015: Manufacturer voluntarily withdrew drug from the market and discontinued distribution April 15, 2016: Based on several large cardiovascular outcome trials including AIM-HIGH, ACCORD, and HPS2-THRIVE, the FDA decided that “scientific evidence no longer supports the conclusion that a drug-induced reduction in triglyceride levels and/or increase in HDL-cholesterol levels in statin-treated patient’s results in a reduction in the risk of cardiovascular events”. Consistent with this conclusion, the FDA has determined that the benefits of niacin ER tablets for co-administration with statins no longer outweigh the risks, and the approval for this indication should be withdrawn.

Pediatric Dosage

Safety and efficacy has not been established.