Niacin Side Effects

Few of the side effects are likely to occur in some of the patients while administering Niacin. However, common side effects associated with the drug usually disappear after continual usage of the drug for some time. If any of these side effects persists or become bothersome, one should seek the medical attention immediately. Some of the common side effects reported with Niacin are as follows:

Cramps or muscle pain
Belching or gas
Nausea
Diarrhea
Flushing
Headache
Dizziness
Sweating

Sometimes severe side effects can also be experienced by few patients. The chances of severe side effects are quite rare but still upon experiencing any of the severe side effects patients must immediately stop the medication and seek medical attention. Severe side effects associated with Niaspan include:

Unexplained muscle pain
Weakness or tenderness
Unusual tiredness
Liver Problems
Severe Stomach pain
Increased heart rate

Least severe side effects of Niaspan may include:

Temperate muscle pain
Diarrhea;
Mild sickness

Niaspan Drug Interactions

Niaspan is not recommended to be used in combination with certain medications. It is important for the patients to check with the doctor that combination of drugs that they are planning to take is safe or not. Following medications are known to interact with Niacin and cause adverse reactions:

Niaspan should not be used in combination with other nicotinic acid based drugs.
High blood pressure medicines
Diabetic drugs
Vitamin B supplements
Anti-blood clotting drugs like Warfarin
Nitrates like glyceryl trinitrate
Cholesterol lowering medicine like Statin

This drug should be cautiously used by the individuals if they are suffering from the following:

Liver disease
Kidney disease
Diabetes
Gall bladder disease
Jaundice
Peptic ulcer
Heart attack
Gout

Warning and Precautions of Niaspan

Patients prescribed with Niaspan must be aware of some precautions and warnings. This will allow them to safely administer the drug without any major health problems. Following warnings are usually associated with Niacin:

Niaspan tablet should be swallowed with a glass full of water.
The tablet should not be broken or crushed.
Niacin must be started with low dose and its dosage should be gradually increased.
Patients should regularly have their blood test done to monitor the functioning of the liver.
This medicine is not recommended for children and adolescents.
Niacin should not be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Before undergoing any type of surgery including dental, patients must let their doctor know that they are taking Niacin.
Patients taking Niaspan might be at risk of low phosphorous in their body.