Niaspan Dosage

• Niaspan should be used in combination with lifestyle modifications. This includes a healthy diet low in cholesterol and saturated fats (see Low Cholesterol Diet), limited alcohol use, weight loss, and exercise.
   
• Niaspan should be taken at bedtime with a drink of water. It is recommended that you eat a low-fat snack before taking Niaspan to prevent an upset stomach.
   
• Do not break, chew, or crush the Niaspan tablets.
   
• Niaspan may cause flushing (warmth and redness) of the face and neck. To reduce the severity of this side effect, take aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil^®, Motrin^®) 30 minutes before you take Niaspan. It is also important to avoid drinking alcohol or hot drinks around the time you take your Niaspan.
   
• If you are taking a bile acid sequestrant, make sure to take your Niaspan more than one hour before the bile acid sequestrant or more than four hours after. Bile acid sequestrants include:

o Cholestyramine (Prevalite^®, Questran^®, Questran^® Light, LoCholest^®)

o Colestipol (Colestid^®)

o Colesevelam (WelChol^®).

• Niaspan should be taken at the same time every day to help maintain an even level in the blood. Do not take it more often than directed.
   
• If you forget to take a dose of Niaspan, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your normal dosing schedule. Never double your dose of Niaspan at one time.
   
• For Niaspan to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. You should follow the specific dosing and titration schedule your healthcare provider recommends. Niaspan will not work if you stop taking it.
   
• If you have stopped taking Niaspan for a period of time, contact your healthcare provider before you start taking it again. Your dose will need to be slowly re-titrated again.
   
• If you are switching from the immediate-release form of niacin to Niaspan (extended-release form), you will need to be started on a lower dose that will gradually be increased. Contact your healthcare provider before you switch to Niaspan and never substitute the two forms of the drug for one another.
   
• If you are unsure about anything related to Niaspan or your Niaspan dosage, please talk to your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. Do not stop taking Niaspan without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.