title: Niacin for lipid disorders. Indications, effectiveness, and safety.
abstract: Niacin can be very effective and safe in lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels and also in increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. In combination with other lipid-lowering drugs (eg, bile acid sequestrants), it has reduced the incidence of cardiovascular events and stopped the progression of coronary artery lesions. It may be the most cost-effective lipid-lowering agent currently available. At lower doses, sustained-release forms of niacin may also improve patient compliance.
authors.affiliation: Division of Arteriosclerosis and Lipid Metabolism, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, USA.
authors.forename: W V
authors.initials: WV
authors.lastname: Brown
mesh_terms: D000075202:Contraindications; D003875:Drug Eruptions / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D009525:Niacin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D009525:Niacin