using niacin for lipids can increase homocysteine levels

February 2000

New evidence shows that using niacin for lipids can increase homocysteine levels...a possible risk factor for heart disease.

Serum homocysteine levels can increase 17% with 1000 mg/day of niacin...55% for doses up to 3000 mg/day.

The concern is that increasing homocysteine might negate some of niacin's benefit from lowering cholesterol and triglycerides.

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Table of Contents

Practice chart of the significant new drugs approved in 1999
two brand-new quinolone antibiotics
Cardiology whether it's safe to combine a statin with one of the fibrates
Cardiology using niacin for lipids can increase homocysteine levels
Women's Health whether hormone replacement therapy increases the risk of breast cancer
Pediatrics more widespread use of varicella vaccine (Varivax)
Pediatrics new pediatric immunization schedule
Pediatrics new 2-dose regimen for giving Recombivax HB (hepatitis B vaccine) to ADOLESCENTS
Diabetes Humalog Mix 75/25, the first insulin lispro mixture
Diabetes Many patients aren't using their insulin pens correctly
Diabetes alcohol can affect the risk of developing type 2 DIABETES
Dermatology Aldara (imiquimod) cream for refractory common warts and molluscum contagiosum
Alzheimer's Disease possible interaction between Aricept (donepezil) and Paxil (paroxetine)
Alzheimer's Disease high cholesterol might increase the risk of Alzheimer's
Infectious Diseases changes in the recommended dosing for the Lyme vaccine (Lymerix)
Hematology & Oncology Celebrex (celecoxib) is now approved to help reduce the number of intestinal polyps in certain patients
Hematology & Oncology Effexor or Prozac can reduce hot flashes in some oncology patients
Neurology & Pain new anti-epileptic called Trileptal (oxcarbazepine)
Practice FDA just issued important new warnings about Propulsid