title: Combination niacin and statin therapy in primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease.
abstract: Statin monotherapy may not be sufficient to reach serum lipid goals in many patients, especially in those with combined lipid abnormalities. Statins cause only a modest increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL)--an established independent protective factor for coronary heart disease (CHD)--and a modest decrease in triglycerides (TG). Niacin is an effective pharmacologic agent for increasing HDL, as well as lowering TG. Used in combination with a statin, niacin provides an option to help patients attain their low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goals, non-HDL goals, and HDL goals. Based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999 to 2000, only 12% of the surveyed adult population were under treatment for diagnosed hypercholesterolemia. Furthermore, only 5.4% of the surveyed population had attained goal total cholesterol levels of < 5.2 mmol/I (< 200 mg/dl). Combination therapy offers a means to get more people to goal. This paper reviews the impact of lipid-modifying combination therapy with niacin plus a statin on lipid profile outcomes.
authors.affiliation: University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA. deborah_levy@vmed.org
authors.forename: Deborah R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Levy
authors.forename: Thomas A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Pearson
mesh_terms: D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009525:Niacin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011322:Primary Prevention; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D009525:Niacin