home > drugs a-z list > niaspan (niacin) drug center > niaspan (niacin) drug - consumer missed dose

Before using this product, tell your doctor of any prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially: "blood thinners" (e.g., warfarin, heparins), drugs that affect your blood pressure (e.g., calcium channel blockers such as diltiazem, alpha blockers such as prazosin), drugs for diabetes (e.g., insulin, glipizide, metformin), other drugs that cause flushing (e.g., nitrates), vitamins/dietary supplements/products that also contain niacin or nicotinamide.

Serious muscle injury (e.g., myopathy, rhabdomyolysis) may infrequently occur if the following drugs are combined with niacin (1 gram per day or more): fibrates (e.g., gemfibrozil, fenofibrate), "statins" (e.g., lovastatin, atorvastatin).

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any muscle pain, weakness or tenderness.

Limit alcoholic beverages. Alcohol can increase the side effects of this medication.

This product can affect the results of certain lab tests (e.g., urine or blood catecholamines, copper-based urine glucose tests). Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.

NOTES: If you are taking this for high cholesterol, for best results, it should be used along with doctor-approved plans for low-fat/low-cholesterol diet, exercise, and weight control. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about lifestyle changes that might benefit you.

Niacin is common in foods such as beans, milk products, eggs, chicken, and beef. Eat more of these foods to increase the amount of niacin in your diet if you have a niacin deficiency. Ask your doctor about dietary changes that may help your condition.

There are many niacin products available. Some can be purchased without a prescription. Consult your doctor or pharmacist about the best product for you.

Laboratory tests (e.g., blood lipids, blood sugar, liver function tests) may be performed (especially if prescribed for cholesterol/triglyceride control) to monitor for effectiveness and possible side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

Do not share this medication with others.

MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

If you stop taking this for one week or more, consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking it again.

STORAGE: This product is usually stored at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from moisture and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Refer to storage information printed on the package. If you have any questions about storage, ask your pharmacist. Keep all products away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Information last revised October 2010 Copyright(c) 2010 First DataBank, Inc.