title: Cholesterol and glycemic effects of Niaspan in patients with type 2 diabetes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effect of Niaspan--a niacin preparation with both immediate- and extended-release characteristics--on lipid and glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective study
  
  
  METHODS
  Private-practice endocrinology group.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-two patients (mean age 60 yrs; 72% men) with type 2 diabetes identified by a computerized text search.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients received Niaspan 1000, 1500, or 2000 mg/day (median daily dosage 1000 mg).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, hemoglobin A1c, and transaminase levels were compared for each patient before and 6 months after initiation of Niaspan. Niaspan therapy was associated with a significant 34% increase in HDL (p=0.033), a significant 36% reduction of triglycerides (p=0.049), and no significant change in LDL (p=0.236) or total cholesterol (p=0.122). Mean hemoglobin A1c levels significantly decreased from baseline by 0.5 +/- 0.3% (p=0.032), even though dosages and treatment with antidiabetic agents remained constant. There were no significant changes in transaminase levels. Seven patients (21.9%) discontinued Niaspan; one of them experienced an increase in blood glucose while receiving the agent.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For most patients with type 2 diabetes, Niaspan is a safe and effective therapy for dyslipidemia and does not exacerbate glycemic control.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice, Albany College of Pharmacy, New York 12208, USA. kanem@acp.edu
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Kane
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Hamilton
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Addesse
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Busch
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bakst
mesh_terms: D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009525:Niacin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D009525:Niacin; D002784:Cholesterol