You should not take niacin if you have severe liver disease, a stomach ulcer, or active bleeding.
Niacin can cause certain side effects, such as flushing (warmth, itching, redness, or tingly feeling under your skin). These effects can be made worse if you drink alcohol or hot beverages shortly after you take this medicine. These effects should disappear over time as you keep taking the medication.
Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.
Avoid taking colestipol (Colestid) or cholestyramine (Locholest, Prevalite, Questran) at the same time you take niacin. If you take either of these other medications, take them at least 4 to 6 hours before or after you take this medicine.
Niacin is only part of a complete program of treatment that may also include diet, exercise, weight control, and other medications. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.
Before taking this medicine
You should not take niacin if you are allergic to it.
To make sure you can safely take niacin, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
severe liver disease;
a stomach ulcer; or
active bleeding.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
liver disease;
heart disease, chest pain (angina);
gout; or
diabetes.
It is not known whether niacin will harm an unborn baby. You may not be able to use this medicine during pregnancy. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
You should not breastfeed while using this medicine.
Niacin is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.
