Effect of two aspirin pretreatment regimens on niacin-induced cutaneous reactions.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effects of pretreatment with two aspirin regimens and placebo on niacin-induced cutaneous reactions.


METHODS
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study.


METHODS
Internal medicine clinic in an academic health center.


METHODS
Forty-two healthy subjects (22 males and 20 females) between the ages of 35 and 65 (mean age 44.2 years) were recruited and completed the study. Subjects received aspirin 325 mg, aspirin 650 mg, and placebo for 4 consecutive days, and on the fourth day also ingested 500 mg of immediate-release niacin 30 minutes after taking aspirin or placebo. They reported the intensity of flushing, headache, pruritus, tingling, and warmth on a 10-cm visual analogue scale. Reactions were evaluated at time 0 (before the niacin dose), and at 15, 30, 60, and 120 minutes following the niacin dose. Cutaneous reactions were compared at each evaluation time and scored by two other methods. The peak intensity was the highest score recorded at any of the four evaluation times after niacin administration. An intensity-time factor was calculated by totaling the scores of each of the four evaluation times.


RESULTS
The symptom scores for flushing, itching, tingling, and warmth were all significantly reduced by both aspirin regimens (p < .05 in all cases), although there were no significant differences between the 325-mg and 650-mg doses. The results were similar for each scoring method.


CONCLUSIONS
An aspirin regimen of 325 mg is effective in suppressing niacin-induced cutaneous reactions. Increasing the dose to 650 mg does not provide additional benefit.
Jungnickel
P W
PW
Department of Clinical Pharmacy Practice, Auburn University, Ala. 36849-5501, USA.
Maloley
P A
PA
Vander Tuin
E L
EL
Peddicord
T E
TE
Campbell
J R
JR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005260:Female; D005483:Flushing / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D006940:Hyperemia / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009525:Niacin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011537:Pruritus / Q000517:prevention & control; D012016:Reference Values; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D009525:Niacin; D001241:Aspirin