Niacin and statin
Common Questions and Answers about Niacin and statin
niaspan
What is the purpose of the 
I just started getting MS spasms; however, last year I was taking a statin & 1000 mg/day of Niacin (*not* niacinamide, which does does not produce the flush) and started having severed cramps in my buttocks/thighs to the point where I could not walk my dog. Found out that niacin is contraindicated for use w/statins, quit taking it. Niacin can lower cholesterol at high doses (my plan). I now take 500 w/out side effects.
Believe it or not, I am taking 5 Niacin tablets in the morning and 5 at night for high trigylcerides. I can't remember the strength, but this is what is oredered by my doctor. In addition to that of course I have to take a statin and Tricor. Good news is that Tricor will have a generic out in May. I was also told by my pharmicist that Plavix has a generic coming out in July. Ask your pharmicist if there is a generic of Niaspan due out any time soon.
Recently, I stopped taking all statin medications due to severe muscle pain and weakness getting worse. I am concerned about my cholesterol levels and triglycerides. I am on a strict diet, but high cholesterol and triglycerides are genetic. Is it safe for me to take Centrum Cardio Vitamins (with plant phytols) to help lower my cholesterol? Also, does buffered niacin (or non-flushing niacin) work equally as well as regular niacin in helping to lower cholesterol?
t have enough self control to lose any weight. I had muscle pain and memory loss with statins, flushing and finally facial swelling with niacin supplements. The memory loss was so bad, I sold my veterinary practice and retired BEFORE the lawsuit. I ran for exercise until I wore out my left knee, now I walk.
Again, these labs are before any medication.
I found this interesting podcast from Chris Kresser - RHR: How Your Lipoprotein(a) Level Affects Your Risk of Heart Disease. So from that info find a good quality fish oil. I believe Krill Oil is even better but it's more expensive. There is also niacin (look for non flush niacin) and L-carnitine. And of course look at your diet. You can check out what to eat and avoid on this article from Authority Nutrition: A Paleo Diet Meal Plan and Menu That Can Save Your Life.
because -- at least according to the theory of why both statin drugs and niacin work -- it is the process of the liver being engaged breaking down the Niacin that leaves it too "busy" to produce the cholesterol.
I am afraid that if I cut SR Niacin entirely, I will lose a good deal of the beneficial effect of having the Niacin "constantly around".
(forum) suggested using, in addition to Fish oil for tri-glycerides, niacin. And he said statin users should take CO-enzyme Q 300 mg. But I do not know if these are general recomendations based on research or if they fit my own profile, which is
Triglycerides 89 (lowest they have been)
HDL 51 (has fluctuated between 50 and 68))
LDL 86 (lowest yet)
CK protein 290 (where normal is 40-180).---> I HAVE NO MUSCLE PAIN
ALT 29.
But my best lipid results ( raising HDL, lowering LDL and Lp(a) ) came from taking RX Niacin which I take with the 10 mg Crestor and 325 mg aspirin at bedtime.No problems with Niacin either.I take RX fish oil also as I am in big time prevention mode due to cardiac microvascular dysfunction.Fortunately my lipids have never been bad and my larger coronaries are clear but the lipids are only a piece of the total cardiac picture and the possible side effects of meds far outweigh my other risks.
Hey Rick, I have the same problem and one thing that helps when taken a statin is co-q 10 as it replenishes whatever the statin takes out that causes muscle cramps. Its particularly worse combined with tricor. The pain actually feels like its in my bones at the joints. I have taken tricor for almost 20 years and I just started having this problem about 6-8 months ago. The pain in the morning makes me feel like I am 100 and my body is betraying me! This is what I noticed that changed.
I have hypertension and 5 days ago I had a heart cath procedure. They found two arteries bocked 40%. Decided no need to do anything at present time. I have always kept my B/P around 130/ 70 with medication. Since the heart cath. it has been high even with meds. and I have a terrible heart flutter. Now B/P is averaging between 189/92
to 182/ 85 I am worried. That something maybe wrong after the Heart Catharization.
A statin has very little effect on HDL and I would think you could bring your LDL down with lifestyle changes.
The easiest way to increase HDL is regular cardio exercise, about 30 - 60 mins most days a week at 75% of your max predicted heart rate (220-age). Make sure to get your doctor's approval before starting any new exercise program.
My cardiologist at Mayo Clinic agreed with me that I was right in going off statins right away (I presented facts and figures and time lines) and suggested that I take plenty of fish oil, watch my diet, keep my weight down, and take niacin (he withdrew that suggestion when I told him a previous physician had suggested niacin as an alternative but what it did was cause serious diarrhea, which is a sign of niacin toxicity).
Extended release niacin is arguably just as good as any drug on the market in terms of HDL and LDL effect. It can be tough on the liver but if you have normal liver function then its a legit alternative to statins (my father in law's cholesterol used to clock in at about 270 and he had the same reservations as your husband about drugs - niacin has worked very well for him - his cholesterol is now sub 150 and has been for 10+ years).
40 mg is not high, it's the norm. Dosage of Simvastatin ca be as high as 80 mg. I am curious why you are on a statin with a total cholesterol of 160. What s your breakdown by LDL & HDL and do you have any risk factors of CAD currently? Plus, if your script was for 20 mg I would question the pharmacy about receiving 40 mg.
Let us know when you can and we can speak more accurately about your dosage.
I just received the results of the Berkley Heart Profile. My father died of CAD at the age of 46. My mother had a coronary artery blockage that was repaired at age 75. I'm a 54 yr. old healthy female non smoker, low BP, 5'5''/128 lb.and live a healthy lifestyle (exercise and diet). My Lp(a) was 114, very high and a fibrinogen of 475. I also see that the LDL particles are primarily large. I plan on a stress test and obtaining a good cardiologist.
I am thin, I eat well, I exercise (although I could do more), but I also have a high stress job and I travel extensively and I get chest pains from time to time. I am on a statin for abnormally low HDL2 and high VLDL3. Two questions: 1) Why would I have an abnormal EKG - pronounced Q wavies, inverted T wave, and an ST depression? 2) What kind of preventative measures including further testing might be in order?
Brand name and generic versions of statin drugs must carry these warnings on their labels, the FDA today announced.
The products include: Lipitor (atorvastatin), Lescol (fluvastatin), Mevacor (lovastatin), Altoprev (lovastatin extended-release), Livalo (pitavastatin), Pravachol (pravastatin), Crestor (rosuvastatin), and Zocor (simvastatin).
The past three tests, 7-07, 12-07, and 6-08 showed my cholesterol to be 149, 85, and 57mg. LDL 65, 26, and 16mg. Triglycerides 183, 29, and 36mg. HDL 47, 53, and 34mg. These were dramatic improvements, except for the HDL. I am advised the 'good' cholesterol range is 50-200mg. If mine goes below 50mg in the next test do I have a problem? After the last test, doctor reduced my Lipitor prescription from 40 to 20mg.
I have decided to take the Niacin of 500 mgs he prescribed (and increase the dosage to another 500 mgs a day if everything goes well as he instructed)-take the added statin when he thinks I am ready for it based on the tolerance of the increased Niacin-plus the fish oil-and Exercise as he said, and which you also said as well!
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