Niaspan Usage Instructions
Patients prescribed with Niaspan should take it exactly as prescribed by the doctor. In order to have best effect of the medication it is important for the patients to follow the drug usage instructions while taking the drug.
- Patients are advised to take the drug by mouth at bedtime along with a low fat meal. Niacin should never be taken on an empty stomach because it will increase the chances of side effects.
- Extended release tablet of Niaspan must not be crushed or chewed because it will release the entire drug at once. Patients should swallow the whole tablet without crushing or chewing.
- Patients should stick to the doctor’s prescribed dosage and should never alter the dosage without consulting the doctor.
- This drug should be complimented with low-cholesterol diet and exercise to have its best effect.
Niacin Dosages
The initial dosage of Niaspan is one 500 mg tablet taken at bedtime. The dosage of Niacin should be gradually increased to reduce the severity of side effects that may occur during early treatment. For the first four weeks the Niacin dosage is 500 mg of tablet taken at bedtime and after fourth week the Niacin dosage can be increased to 1000 mg of tablet taken at bedtime. The dosages are increased according to the patient’s response to the treatment.
Missed Dose and Overdose of Niaspan
Patients must take the missed dose as soon as they remember and they should skip the missed dose if it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. One should not take any extra medicine to make up for the missed dose.
Overdose of the medication may cause adverse effect. Patients in any circumstances must avoid overdose of the drug and if it has accidently occur then the patients should seek emergency medical attention can call to their local Poison Help line. Some of the overdose symptoms include nausea, dizziness, itching, vomiting, upset stomach and flushing feeling.
Storage Instructions
Keep Niaspan at room temperature and try to protect it from light and moisture. The drug should also be kept away from children and pets. All the expired and unused drugs should be safely disposed.
