General Information about Niacor
Cholesterol levels in the blood need to be continuously monitored. Higher levels of cholesterol in the system may lead to severe complications for the body. Niacor is a drug which is used to combat the levels of fat and cholesterol in the body, and keep it under control. The generic name of Niacor is niacin.
You may buy Niacor from drug retail stores in various strengths, but the higher strengths cannot be purchased without a doctor’s prescription. However, it must be noted that before Niacor is prescribed, the doctor prepares a diet chart for the patients to follow. This diet mainly consists of food which has lower levels of fat and cholesterol.
Side Effects of Niacor
As with most medications, Niacor too has some adverse effects. Some of them are as follows:
- Redness in parts of the skin
- Abdominal pain
- Sneezing
- Allergic reactions like rashes
- Muscle and joint aches
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Irregular heartbeat
There are some other side effects which need the immediate attention of a doctor. These side effects are as follows:
- Urine darkening
- Changes in the stool colour
- Yellowing of skin and eyes
- Stomach pain or ache
- Loss of apetite
Before taking Niacor, patients have to adhere to whatever the doctor prescribes. Niacor only helps in controlling the levels of cholesterol and fat in the blood. Patients should never expect the drug to completely cure them of their medical condition. It is for this reason that doctors ask patients to follow an appropriate diet plan. Patients should strictly follow that diet plan in order for the drug to work better. The medicine can be taken alone. However, if a patient experiences stomach pain, it can be taken with meals.
Dosage of Niacor
Currently, you may buy Niacor is the following forms- tablets, capsules, extended release forms of both tablets and capsules, and Elixir. The normal dosage of Niacor is 1 to 2 grams, taken two or three times a day. However, the dosage of the drug is completely dependent on the patient’s requirements. It is recommended to start taking the drug in small doses and gradually increase the strength of the doses if needed. Gastric problems might occur if patients take the drug without having food. Flushing of the skin is a common side effect of the drug. But it can be dealt with by taking aspirin. If a woman becomes pregnant while taking the drug, it should be discontinued immediately.
Interactions
Drug interactions occur when two or more drugs are taken together. These interactions can have adverse effects on the body and patients should always consult a doctor before taking numerous drugs at the same time. Drug interactions might occur if Niacor is taken with substances like Ezetimibe, Atorvastatin, Pitavastatin, Simvastatin, Lovastatin and Cerivastatin. If these substances are prescribed by a doctor along with Niacor, the doctor changes the doses accordingly. Ethanol should be strongly avoided as well. Certain effects might also occur if Niacor is taken with certain food items or alcohol.
