Cholesterol drug flushes niacin symptom

DALLAS —The next big cholesterol drug to hit the market may contain vitamin B in the form of niacin. Merck is expected to receive Food and Drug Administration approval for Cordaptive, which combines an extended-release version of niacin with a chemical that prevents the redness and tingling to the face (called flushing) associated with a sudden surge of niacin in the blood stream.

Analysts project sales to reach as high as $3 billion.

Niacin traditionally has been used to treat high cholesterol. Abbott Laboratories sells an extended-release, prescription version of niacin called Niaspan. But flushing has forced many patients to stop using niacin.

However, there already may be a niacin product available without a prescription that addresses that issue. Slo-Niacin, a controlled-release niacin dietary supplement for heart health, helps reduce the incidence of flushing that often results from rapid increases of niacin in the blood, Upsher-Smith, which distributes the product, recently announced. According to the company, a number of studies have shown Slo-Niacin positively impacts total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and trigylcerides.

Upsher-Smith plans to leverage the extensive clinical experience with Slo-Niacin via advertising and direct-mail campaigns, and it will provide online and printed educational materials to physicians and pharmacists.