Niaspan Drug Interactions

Bile acid sequestrants can bind to Niaspan in the digestive tract and decrease its absorption into the body. To avoid this drug interaction, Niaspan should be taken at least one hour before or four to six hours after a bile acid sequestrant has been given.

 

Niaspan may increase the anticoagulant effect of warfarin. This means that you may be at an increased risk of bleeding if you are taking both Niaspan and warfarin. Your healthcare provider may choose to monitor your INR and prothrombin time more frequently and make any necessary dosing adjustments. INR and prothrombin time measure how well your blood is clotting.

 

Consuming alcohol or hot beverages while taking Niaspan can increase the flushing caused by Niaspan. Therefore, it is recommended that you avoid these beverages around the time you take your Niaspan. Alcohol and Niaspan can also both be damaging to the liver, so it is best to avoid consuming large amounts of alcohol at any time during your treatment with Niaspan.

 

If you are taking both aspirin and Niaspan, your body may metabolize the drugs differently than intended. Aspirin can cause Niaspan to stay in your body longer than normal. In addition, both medicines can be damaging to the liver. However, the use of aspirin with Niaspan can also be beneficial because it helps reduce the flushing that is associated with Niaspan. Your healthcare provider may recommend that, instead of aspirin, you take a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) like ibuprofen to help control this side effect.

 

Use extreme caution when taking Niaspan in combination with medications used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension), chest pain, or heart failure. Using Niaspan along with these drugs can cause your blood pressure to drop so low that your feel dizzy and lightheaded when you stand. Your healthcare provider may choose to monitor your condition more closely.