NI Odan (Niacin) extended release belongs to the family of medications known as lipid metabolism regulators. It is used to treat High Cholesterol. It is believed to work by decreasing the production of cholesterol in the body. It helps to lower total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol (bad cholesterol) and triglycerides, and increase HDL-cholesterol (good cholesterol).

NI Odan (Niacin) should be used in combination with an appropriate diet and exercise program to reduce cholesterol. It is not intended to be a substitute for healthy eating and exercise.

NI Odan (Niacin) may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of NI Odan (Niacin) may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of NI Odan (Niacin) may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested NI Odan (Niacin) for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking NI Odan (Niacin), speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking NI Odan (Niacin) without consulting your doctor.

Do not give NI Odan (Niacin) to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take NI Odan (Niacin) if their doctor has not prescribed it.

The usual recommended starting dose of NI Odan (Niacin) extended release is 500 mg at bedtime, after a low-fat snack. The dose is gradually increased every 4 weeks to a maximum dose of 2,000 mg at bedtime. NI Odan (Niacin) extended release should be used in combination with an appropriate exercise program to reduce cholesterol and it is not intended as a substitute for such a program.

NI Odan (Niacin) extended release tablets should be swallowed whole and not crushed or chewed.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important to take NI Odan (Niacin) exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice. If you miss taking NI Odan (Niacin) for 7 days or more, contact your doctor for instructions on how to restart taking it.

Store NI Odan (Niacin) at room temperature and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes NI Odan (Niacin). If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of NI Odan (Niacin) with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking NI Odan (Niacin). Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• Dry Mouth
• flu-like symptoms (e.g., Fever, chills, sweating, muscle aches, tiredness)
• fluid retention (swelling of the hands, feet, or ankles)
• flushing (warmth, redness, itching, or tingling) of the face, neck, chest, and back
• headache
• heartburn
• increased cough
• nausea
• rapid or pounding heartbeat
• rash
• ringing in the ears
• sweating
• tiredness
• vomiting
• weakness

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• fainting
• joint pain
• muscle pains or weakness
• severe headache (migraine)

• signs of clotting problems (e.g., unusual nosebleeds, bruising, blood in urine, coughing blood, bleeding gums, cuts that don’t stop bleeding)

• signs of liver problems (e.g., yellow eyes or skin, abdominal pain, dark urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting)

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• chest pain
• signs of a serious allergic reaction (swelling of the face, tongue, or throat; Hives; difficulty breathing)
• symptoms of bleeding in the stomach or intestines (dark, tarry stools; blood coming from rectum; vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds; fast heartbeat; weakness or fainting)

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking NI Odan (Niacin).

Each white, caplet-shaped, unscored, time-release (extended-release) tablet, engraved "N-500" on one side, contains 500 mg of NI Odan (Niacin) (nicotinic acid). Nonmedicinal ingredients: methylcellulose, povidone, and stearic acid (plant source). This product does not contain cornstarch, gluten, lactose, sugar, yeast, soy, animal by-products, or artificial colours, flavours, or preservatives.

Do not take NI Odan (Niacin) if you:

• are allergic to NI Odan (Niacin) or any ingredients of the medication
• have active peptic (stomach or intestine) ulcer disease
• have bleeding
• have severe or unexplained liver or kidney problems or a history of jaundice (yellow skin)

There may be an interaction between NI Odan (Niacin) extended release tablets and any of the following:

• acetylsalicylic acid (ASA)
• alcohol
• bile acid sequestrants (drugs that prevent cholesterol reabsorption by the body; Cholestyramine, Colestipol)
• certain blood pressure medications (e.g., Metoprolol, Propranolol, Verapamil, Diltiazem)
• diabetes medications (e.g., chlorpropamide, glipizide, Glyburide, insulin, Metformin, Nateglinide, Rosiglitazone)
• nitrates (e.g., Nitroglycerin)
• "statin" cholesterol medications (e.g., Atorvastatin, Lovastatin, Simvastatin)
• vitamins or nutritional supplements containing NI Odan (Niacin), nicotinic acid, or nicotinamide
• Warfarin

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with NI Odan (Niacin). Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.