Comparing Niacin vs Niaspan

View side-by-side comparisons of medication uses, ratings, cost, side effects and interactions.
Niacin	Niaspan (niacin)	Enter another drug to compare

View side-by-side comparisons of medication uses, ratings, cost, side effects and interactions.
Niacin	Niaspan (niacin)	Enter another drug to compare
Prescription and OTC Prescribed for High Cholesterol, Pellagra, Dietary Supplementation, Depression, Niacin Deficiency, Hyperlipoproteinemia Type IV - Elevated VLDL, Hyperlipoproteinemia, Hyperlipoproteinemia Type V -... View more	Prescription and OTC Prescribed for High Cholesterol, Hyperlipoproteinemia Type IV - Elevated VLDL, Hyperlipoproteinemia, Hyperlipoproteinemia Type V - Elevated Chylomicrons VLDL. Niaspan may also be used for purposes... View more	Related suggestions High Cholesterol Atorvastatin Simvastatin Rosuvastatin Crestor Repatha Evolocumab Hyperlipoproteinemia Fenofibrate Atorvastatin TriCor Lipitor Pravastatin Crestor Hyperlipoproteinemia Type IV, Elevated VLDL Fenofibrate Atorvastatin Lipitor TriCor Gemfibrozil Crestor Hyperlipoproteinemia Type V, Elevated Chylomicrons VLDL Fenofibrate TriCor Gemfibrozil Antara Fenoglide Lipofen
More about Niacin	More about Niaspan (niacin)
Ratings & Reviews
Niacin has an average rating of 7.4 out of 10 from a total of 117 ratings on Drugs.com. 68% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 20% reported a negative effect.	Niaspan has an average rating of 6.3 out of 10 from a total of 28 ratings on Drugs.com. 54% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 21% reported a negative effect.
View all 117 reviews	View all 28 reviews
Side Effects Experienced by Users Side effects are reported in Drugs.com user reviews and not clinically verified.
Flushing (31.6%) Itching (7.7%) Burning (6.0%) Rash (6.0%) Anxiety (4.3%) Depression (3.4%) Acid reflux (2.6%) View all Niacin side effects	View all Niaspan side effects
Drug Class
Miscellaneous antihyperlipidemic agents Vitamins	Miscellaneous antihyperlipidemic agents Vitamins
Generic Availability
Lower cost generic	Lower cost generic approved
Pricing and Coupons * Prices are without insurance
We could not find an exact match for this medicine. Try searching the Price Guide directly.	We could not find an exact match for this medicine. Try searching the Price Guide directly.
Get free Discount Card	Get free Discount Card

Dosage Forms
Oral capsule, extended release Oral tablet Oral tablet, extended release	Oral tablet, extended release
Brand Names
B-3-50, B3-500-Gr, Endur-acin, HDL Benefit, Heliocare Advanced, Niacin SR, Niacor, Niaspan, NiaVasc, Slo-Niacin, Vitamin B3 View more	Other niacin brands include: B-3-50, B3-500-Gr, Endur-acin, HDL Benefit, Heliocare Advanced, Niacin SR, Niacor, NiaVasc, Slo-Niacin, Vitamin B3 View more
Half Life Drug half-life is the time required for plasma concentration to reduce to half its original value.
1 hour	1 hour
CSA Schedule ¹ View glossary of CSA terms
N Not a controlled drug Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.	N Not a controlled drug Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
Pregnancy Category
C Category C Risk cannot be ruled out See the full pregnancy warnings document.	C Category C Risk cannot be ruled out See the full pregnancy warnings document.
Drug Interactions
A total of 107 drugs are known to interact with Niacin: 14 major drug interactions (34 brand and generic names) 81 moderate drug interactions (252 brand and generic names) 12 minor drug interactions (144 brand and generic names)	A total of 107 drugs are known to interact with Niaspan: 14 major drug interactions (34 brand and generic names) 81 moderate drug interactions (252 brand and generic names) 12 minor drug interactions (144 brand and generic names)
Alcohol/Food/Lifestyle Interactions
Ask your doctor before using niacin together with alcohol. You should avoid drinking alcohol, it... View more	Ask your doctor before using niacin together with alcohol. You should avoid drinking alcohol, it... View more
Disease Interactions
Liver disease/hepatotoxicity Peptic ulcer disease Hyperglycemia Hyperuricemia Unstable angina	Liver disease/hepatotoxicity Peptic ulcer disease Hyperglycemia Hyperuricemia Unstable angina
First Approval Date
July 24, 1957	July 28, 1997
WADA Class View classifications
N/A	N/A
More Information
Side effects Drug interactions Dosage Pregnancy warnings Drug images Support group	Side effects Drug interactions Dosage Pregnancy warnings Drug images
Patient Resources
Niacin uses	Niaspan uses
Professional Resources
Monograph (AHFS) Prescribing information	Prescribing information
Related Treatment Guide
High Cholesterol Pellagra Dietary Supplementation Depression Niacin Deficiency Hyperlipoproteinemia Type IV - Elevated VLDL Hyperlipoproteinemia Hyperlipoproteinemia Type V - Elevated Chylomicrons VLDL show all	High Cholesterol Hyperlipoproteinemia Type IV - Elevated VLDL Hyperlipoproteinemia Hyperlipoproteinemia Type V - Elevated Chylomicrons VLDL

¹ The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) schedule information displayed applies to substances regulated under federal law. There may be variations in CSA schedules between individual states.

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Comparing Niacin vs Niaspan

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