Niacin

NIACIN- niacin tablet, extended release
Carilion Materials Management

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Therapy with lipid-altering agents should be only one component of multiple risk factor intervention in individuals at significantly increased risk for atherosclerotic vascular disease due to hyperlipidemia. Niacin, USP therapy is indicated as an adjunct to diet when the response to a diet restricted in saturated fat and cholesterol and other nonpharmacologic measures alone has been inadequate.

1.

Niacin Extended-Release Tablets USP are indicated to reduce elevated TC, LDL-C, Apo B and TG levels, and to increase HDL-C in patients with primary hyperlipidemia and mixed dyslipidemia.

2.

In patients with a history of myocardial infarction and hyperlipidemia, niacin, USP is indicated to reduce the risk of recurrent nonfatal myocardial infarction.

3.

In patients with a history of coronary artery disease (CAD) and hyperlipidemia, niacin, USP, in combination with a bile acid binding resin, is indicated to slow progression or promote regression of atherosclerotic disease.

4.

Niacin Extended-Release Tablets USP in combination with a bile acid binding resin are indicated to reduce elevated TC and LDL-C levels in adult patients with primary hyperlipidemia.

5.

Niacin, USP is also indicated as adjunctive therapy for treatment of adult patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia who present a risk of pancreatitis and who do not respond adequately to a determined dietary effort to control them.

Limitations of Use

Addition of Niacin Extended-Release Tablets USP did not reduce cardiovascular morbidity or mortality among patients treated with simvastatin in a large, randomized controlled trial (AIM-HIGH) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

Niacin Extended-Release Tablets should be taken at bedtime, after a low-fat snack, and doses should be individualized according to patient response. Therapy with Niacin Extended-Release Tablets must be initiated at 500 mg at bedtime in order to reduce the incidence and severity of side effects which may occur during early therapy. The recommended dose escalation is shown in Table 1 below.

Table 1. Recommended Dosing

	Week(s)	Daily Dose	Niacin Extended-Release Tablets Dosage
INITIALTITRATION	1 to 4	500 mg	1 Niacin Extended-Release 500 mg Tablet at bedtime
SCHEDULE	5 to 8	1000 mg	1 Niacin Extended-Release 1000 mg Tablet or 2 Niacin Extended-Release 500 mg Tablets at bedtime
	*	1500 mg	2 Niacin Extended-Release 750 mg Tablets or 3 Niacin Extended-Release 500 mg Tablets at bedtime
	*	2000 mg	2 Niacin Extended-Release 1000 mg Tablets or 4 Niacin Extended-Release 500 mg Tablets at bedtime
* After Week 8, titrate to patient response and tolerance. If response to 1000 mg daily is inadequate, increase dose to 1500 mg daily; may subsequently increase dose to 2000 mg daily. Daily dose should not be increased more than 500 mg in a 4-week period, and doses above 2000 mg daily are not recommended. Women may respond at lower doses than men.

Maintenance Dose

The daily dosage of Niacin Extended-Release Tablets should not be increased by more than 500 mg in any 4-week period. The recommended maintenance dose is 1000 mg (two 500 mg tablets or one 1000 mg tablet) to 2000 mg (two 1000 mg tablets or four 500 mg tablets) once daily at bedtime. Doses greater than 2000 mg daily are not recommended. Women may respond at lower Niacin Extended-Release Tablet doses than men [see Clinical Studies (14.2)].

Single-dose bioavailability studies have demonstrated that two of the 500 mg and one of the 1000 mg tablet strengths are interchangeable but three of the 500 mg and two of the 750 mg tablet strengths are not interchangeable.

Flushing of the skin [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)] may be reduced in frequency or severity by pretreatment with aspirin (up to the recommended dose of 325 mg taken 30 minutes prior to Niacin Extended-Release Tablet dose). Tolerance to this flushing develops rapidly over the course of several weeks. Flushing, pruritus, and gastrointestinal distress are also greatly reduced by slowly increasing the dose of niacin and avoiding administration on an empty stomach. Concomitant alcoholic, hot drinks or spicy foods may increase the side effects of flushing and pruritus and should be avoided around the time of Niacin Extended-Release Tablet ingestion.

Equivalent doses of Niacin Extended-Release Tablets should not be substituted for sustained-release (modified-release, timed-release) niacin preparations or immediate-release (crystalline) niacin [see Warnings and Precautions (5)]. Patients previously receiving other niacin products should be started with the recommended Niacin Extended-Release Tablet titration schedule (see Table 1), and the dose should subsequently be individualized based on patient response.

If Niacin Extended-Release Tablet therapy is discontinued for an extended period, reinstitution of therapy should include a titration phase (see Table 1).

Niacin Extended-Release Tablets should be taken whole and should not be broken, crushed or chewed before swallowing.

Dosage in Patients with Renal or Hepatic Impairment

Use of Niacin Extended-Release Tablets in patients with renal or hepatic impairment has not been studied. Niacin Extended-Release Tablets are contraindicated in patients with significant or unexplained hepatic dysfunction. Niacin Extended-Release Tablets should be used with caution in patients with renal impairment [see Warnings and Precautions (5)].

3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS

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500 mg white to off-white, capsule-shaped, unscored, biconvex, debossed tablets

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750 mg white to off-white, capsule-shaped, unscored, biconvex, debossed tablets

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1000 mg white to off-white, capsule-shaped, unscored, biconvex, debossed tablets

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS

Niacin extended-release tablets are contraindicated in the following conditions:

•

Active liver disease or unexplained persistent elevations in hepatic transaminases [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)]

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Patients with active peptic ulcer disease

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Patients with arterial bleeding

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Hypersensitivity to niacin or any component of this medication [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]