Posted on 11/21/2009 9:06:11 PM PST by neverdem
The findings led to an early halt of a small study comparing Niaspan and Zetia, two compounds commonly used along with statins to reduce heart attack risk
ORLANDO, Fla. — Adding a pharmaceutical form of the B vitamin niacin — but not the drug ezetimibe — to a cholesterol-lowering statin drug appears to reduce artery plaque buildup in patients with coronary artery disease, according to much-anticipated results announced at a press conference November 15.
The results were from a study that was relatively small — only 208 patients — but provided a head-to-head comparison of niacin and ezetimibe, known by the brand name Zetia. Despite studies last year that questioned its effectiveness, Zetia remains a blockbuster drug for Merck & Co. Inc. The form of niacin used in the study is an extended-release, prescription-only formulation of niacin called Niaspan, made by Abbott, which funded the new trial.
The new findings were simultaneously published online by the New England Journal of Medicine and presented during the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2009. Niacin has been shown to raise levels of HDL, the type of cholesterol that protects against heart disease. Zetia is designed to work differently, by lowering levels of LDL, the cholesterol that contributes to heart disease. Niacin also lowers LDL, but is better known for raising HDL. Zetia’s performance fell flat in two recent trials, leading many doctors to question its usefulness.
For the new study, researchers enrolled 363 patients from Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., and Washington Adventist Hospital in Takoma Park, Md. The patients were randomly assigned to take their prescribed statin drug with the addition of either Niaspan or Zetia. The drugs’ effects were gauged by measuring plaque buildup in each participant’s carotid arteries.
Investigators stopped the study in June when it became...
(Excerpt) Read more at sciencenews.org ...
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My stepfather had even bigger problems- Bayer Aspirin Co.'s Baycol fried his kidneys, and he died after about a year of dialysis.
Niacin that is used for this purpose probably does need to be treated like a drug. There is the possibility of a very bad side effect.
I should have included Nattokinase on my list (and edited my post better).
There's a bunch of different B vitamins. Talk to your doc.
TIME-RELEASE niacin has caused liver problems for sure, not sure if immediate release has been linked to anything. I had a doctor that recommended Nicotinic acid (not niacinamide) for cholesterol reduction, and he stated that it had to be the type that caused flushing. I can personally attest to that type's efficacy in lowering cholesterol and triglycerides. An aspirin will help with the flushing.
Thanks for the info.
am I reading the article correctly to say that is reduces blockages???
“If you value your brain (assuming you have one of course), stay off statins !”
And why would you say that? Statins are one of the more cost-effective drugs in prevening adverse effects. They also have a handy anti-inflammatory action that makes them doubly useful to those suffering from coronary artery disease. Well, in addition to elevating the threhold for thrombus formation.
Tell me about it. My brother died at age 43 from complications of aspirin.
I'm not going to dispute U.S. Pharmacopeia standards, but I believe that in the case of megadoses of niacin, it is the dose level that makes it a drug. My daily b-50 and vitamin C pills are time release, and over the counter.
(Is there a difference in dosage or in other ingredients with the niacin when taking in this fashion?)
Cheers!
Just to clarify my post, Bayer Aspirin Co.'s Baycol was a statin, (Cerivastatin), NOT an aspirin type medication, that has been since pulled from the market.
Statins block the production of harmful cholesterol but in the process also block some of the good cholesterol that are vital for brain function. A number of studies have been conducted, with many more underway, showing a link between statin use and Parkinson’s disease, memory loss, muscular atrophy, nerve damage.. etc. Google ‘statin side effects’ for more info.
Thank you.
There’s so much stuff out there regarding statins it is very hard to know what is true or not.
Lipitor and niacin increases the risk for myopathy. No rates were given. Crestor ad said to consider decreasing the dose of crestor when adding niacin. Source: Sep 2009 Monthly Prescribing Reference
If HDL is low, talk to your doc.
Abbott is selling both Advicor and Simcor - both are combo statins and niacin. Advicor uses lovastatin. Simcor uses simvastatin.
I love niacin. It's the only vitamin that I know when it's working! When the flushing occurs (it doesn't always)I just drink room temp water and it goes away.
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