Flush Free Niacin

Flush Free Niacin is used to lower blood levels of "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL) and triglycerides, and increase levels of "good" cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL).

Niaspan is used to lower the risk of a heart attack in people who have high cholesterol and have a history of heart attacks. Niaspan can also be used with another cholesterol medicine to slow down the build-up of fatty deposits in your arteries.

Flush Free Niacin may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

Follow all instructions on your prescription label and read any medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Flush Free Niacin can cause flushing (a warm, itchy, red, or tingly feeling under your skin). These effects should go away over time as you continue taking the medicine. Flushing may be worse if you drink alcohol or hot drinks shortly after taking Flush Free Niacin.

Swallow the capsule or tablet whole and do not crush, chew, break, or open it.

Your dose may change if you switch to a different brand, strength, or form of this medicine. Prevent medication errors by using only the form and strength your doctor prescribes.

If you stop taking Flush Free Niacin for any period, talk to your doctor before starting the medicine again. You may need to restart at a lower dose.

This medicine can affect the results of some medical tests. Inform any doctor who treats you that you are using Flush Free Niacin.

Flush Free Niacin is only part of a complete treatment plan that may also include diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise plans very closely.

Your doctor may suggest taking aspirin or an NSAID (like ibuprofen, Advil, or Aleve) to help prevent flushing. Continue using these medicines for as long as your doctor prescribes.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

You should not take Flush Free Niacin if you have severe liver disease, a stomach ulcer, or active bleeding.

You should not take Flush Free Niacin if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• severe liver disease;
• a stomach ulcer; or
• active bleeding.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• liver disease;
• kidney problems;
• heart disease, chest pain (angina);
• gout; or
• diabetes.

It is not known whether Flush Free Niacin will harm an unborn baby. You may not be able to use Flush Free Niacin during pregnancy. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.

Do not breastfeed.

Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Flush Free Niacin may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor right away if you have:

• heart attack symptoms--chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating;
• high blood sugar--increased thirst, increased urination, dry mouth, fruity breath odor;
• unexplained muscle pain, tenderness or weakness;
• feeling light-headed, as if you might faint;
• irregular heartbeats;
• severe warmth or redness under your skin;
• vision problems; or
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Common side effects of Flush Free Niacin may include:

• flushing (sudden warmth, redness, or tingling feeling);
• upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
• abnormal liver function tests;
• itching, rash, dry skin;
• cough;
• skin discoloration; or
• headache.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Take the medicine as soon as you remember, but skip the missed dose if it is nearly time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at once.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of liver damage and can also make the flushing effects of Flush Free Niacin worse.

Avoid getting up too quickly from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.

Avoid eating foods that are high in fat or cholesterol, or Flush Free Niacin will not work as well.

You should not take colesevelam, colestipol, or cholestyramine within 4 hours before or 4 hours after taking Flush Free Niacin.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• other medicines to lower cholesterol or triglycerides;
• aspirin;
• blood pressure medicine; or
• a blood thinner--warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect Flush Free Niacin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

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