jkhh
09-22-2006, 04:26 PM
My doctor prescribed me Zetia due to elevated ALT levels and other issues with Crestor 5 mg. I had tried Niaspan but the flushing was bad. I went to pick up the Zetia today and was talking to my pharmacist. He asked me about my Total:HDL ratio which is approx. 6.5:1 (my total is 252 and HDL is 39). He said it would likely be easier for me to raise my HDL so I'm going to give the Niaspan (prescription grade Niaspan) another shot. The suggestion is to take it at night or with evening meal. Is anyone taking Niaspan/Niacin during the day (earlier)? If so, how is it going? Also, does anyone take Niaspan/Niacin along with Zetia or Policosanol? Again, if so, how are they performing for you?
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jkhh
09-22-2006, 06:08 PM
Evvo,
Thanks for the reply. Niaspan is supposed to be time released and is the sole prescription form of Niacin in the US. Still, I find it very intense at 1000 mg.
Thanks for the reply. Niaspan is supposed to be time released and is the sole prescription form of Niacin in the US. Still, I find it very intense at 1000 mg.
NHone
09-22-2006, 07:41 PM
Your ALT is elevated and you doctor put you on zetia? Some doctors are just to stupid for their own good.
jkhh
09-22-2006, 07:46 PM
I guess my ALT is considered mildly elevated at 61 (the high range with the lab is 39). Are you aware of any effect of Zetia on ALT? I was told Zetia worked in the stomach, not the liver, thus the reasoning for describing it instead of a statin.
NHone
09-22-2006, 11:42 PM
Elevated is elevated. Yes, zetia can cause the alt to be elevated. It means you have something going wrong in you body. We have been told that Zetia works in the intestines, and not the liver....However, it is know to cause liver damage. Health Canada, (their FDA) has issued warnings on the zetia, for this reason. It also warned that zetia can cause the same problems as statins. WE are not dealing with "side effects" of the medications...but problems related to cholesterol lowering itself. Zetia is also know to stop the absorption of Coq10 and other essential vitamins. THe public test on zetia was 12 weeks before it went on the market.... Damage from cholesterol lowering medications does not always repair itself. It becomes cummulative.
jkhh
09-23-2006, 07:49 AM
I had planned on holding on the Zetia anyway, although it sounds safter than Crestor to me (although not as effective). Again, it's a tiny, harmless looking pill (but so was my Crestor 5 mg) I'm going to try Niacin, CoQ10, continue diet changes and resume a more vigorous exercise program. As my pharmacist said, I need to worry most about getting my ratio down and for me, I may have to focus on getting my HDL up. I'm going to make an appt. with an Internist to discuss the ALT levels but am thankful mine has not been 3 times over high level, although it still concerns me very much. I am very thankful for this forum, where I have gathered more targeted information in one week than I've gathered in 3 years of using search engines.
Lenin
09-23-2006, 09:26 AM
Judge,
since you flushed with NIASPAN at 1000 mg., why not instead try the hexanicotinoate or, as I do, a SLOW ACTING OTC formulation like SLO NIACIN, made up of teeny polygel encapsulated particles that dissolve slowly.
Both alternatives as FAR cheaper than the overpriced NIASPAN...and don't be fooled by the fact that Niaspan is "prescription"...it's just another extended release formulation designed to mitigate flushing.
The regimen for me that reduced flushing to zero is to take my SLO-NIACIN (Upsher-Smith) just before bedtime with 2 aspirin and my Lipitor. THat way if there is any flushing, I'm asleep for the event.
Aspirin helps A LOT!
I don't think policosanol is of much proven use for lipid control...a single study with 120 diabetics taken it is just not enough evidence. But it's cheap and safe so everyone can try it on his own and see for himself.
Niacin in any formulation is very apt to raise ALT.
since you flushed with NIASPAN at 1000 mg., why not instead try the hexanicotinoate or, as I do, a SLOW ACTING OTC formulation like SLO NIACIN, made up of teeny polygel encapsulated particles that dissolve slowly.
Both alternatives as FAR cheaper than the overpriced NIASPAN...and don't be fooled by the fact that Niaspan is "prescription"...it's just another extended release formulation designed to mitigate flushing.
The regimen for me that reduced flushing to zero is to take my SLO-NIACIN (Upsher-Smith) just before bedtime with 2 aspirin and my Lipitor. THat way if there is any flushing, I'm asleep for the event.
Aspirin helps A LOT!
I don't think policosanol is of much proven use for lipid control...a single study with 120 diabetics taken it is just not enough evidence. But it's cheap and safe so everyone can try it on his own and see for himself.
Niacin in any formulation is very apt to raise ALT.
ARIZONA73
09-23-2006, 09:39 AM
Suggest you try Inositol Hexanicotinate instead of fast acting Niacin. Proved over here in Europe for at least forty years, without the flushing and long term use causing liver problems.
It's funny that inositol hexanicotinate has been used so extensively over in Europe for so long, while most people here, including doctors, still appear to be pretty much in the dark about it! Sometimes I wonder who's ahead of who!:confused:
It's funny that inositol hexanicotinate has been used so extensively over in Europe for so long, while most people here, including doctors, still appear to be pretty much in the dark about it! Sometimes I wonder who's ahead of who!:confused:
jkhh
09-23-2006, 09:43 AM
Lenin,
Don't worry, I wouldn't have gotten the Niaspan or Omacor (fish oil) had it not been for Health Insurance/co-pay. I will try the Slo Niacin. Is that a brand or another grade of Niacin? I am going to add the COQ10 back to my regimen, but I'm not sure about the Policosanol.
Don't worry, I wouldn't have gotten the Niaspan or Omacor (fish oil) had it not been for Health Insurance/co-pay. I will try the Slo Niacin. Is that a brand or another grade of Niacin? I am going to add the COQ10 back to my regimen, but I'm not sure about the Policosanol.
jkhh
09-23-2006, 10:05 AM
Lenin,
I found Slo-Niacin. Do you take the 500 mg or 750 mg? Thanks.
I found Slo-Niacin. Do you take the 500 mg or 750 mg? Thanks.
NHone
09-23-2006, 02:29 PM
policosonal reduces foam cells which cause inflammation. Numbers aren't always what you should be looking at. If someone is..lp(a), and CRP are more important than the actual cholesterol numbers.
Lenin
09-24-2006, 11:25 AM
Judge,
I take EITHER 500, 750 or occasionally 1,000 mg. but usually 500. It gives me a boost of about 5-10 points HDL. I don't want to take TOO MUCH because of my daily Lipitor, proven gout, and a very marked tendencey to easy fluching.
I'm curious, what did you pay? (I got bottles and bottles of the suff at a discounter because the sell-by date was approaching...at $2.99/100.)
ARIZONA,
I think that U.S. doctors were led down the merry path with NIASPAN instead...a way to sell a time release formulation at $$$BIG$$$ BUCKS! My first response to reading about Niaspan is "You gotta be KIDDING me!" :D
I take EITHER 500, 750 or occasionally 1,000 mg. but usually 500. It gives me a boost of about 5-10 points HDL. I don't want to take TOO MUCH because of my daily Lipitor, proven gout, and a very marked tendencey to easy fluching.
I'm curious, what did you pay? (I got bottles and bottles of the suff at a discounter because the sell-by date was approaching...at $2.99/100.)
ARIZONA,
I think that U.S. doctors were led down the merry path with NIASPAN instead...a way to sell a time release formulation at $$$BIG$$$ BUCKS! My first response to reading about Niaspan is "You gotta be KIDDING me!" :D
jkhh
09-24-2006, 02:45 PM
Lenin,
I paid $12+ at the world's largest retailer (wm) for 100 of them :eek: Actually, I checked prices on the web so I was fairly pleased with the price. I was glad to find it and it does seem to ease the flushing burden. Is it the same type as Niaspan? I know Niaspan is supposed to be time released, however, the flushing typically struck about 1/2 hour after taking. Also, does Slo-Niacin have the same liver toxicity concerns as taking straight Niacin? If I can get the same 5 to 10 HDL boost you're getting, I'll be thrilled. I'm supposed to retest in December. Like I said, I may try the Policosanol with it and if my Total and LDL don't come down, then I have the Zetia to try with the Niacin. Also, I'm sticking with my Fish Oil and Red Wine as both of these have proven highly successful with tri's.
I paid $12+ at the world's largest retailer (wm) for 100 of them :eek: Actually, I checked prices on the web so I was fairly pleased with the price. I was glad to find it and it does seem to ease the flushing burden. Is it the same type as Niaspan? I know Niaspan is supposed to be time released, however, the flushing typically struck about 1/2 hour after taking. Also, does Slo-Niacin have the same liver toxicity concerns as taking straight Niacin? If I can get the same 5 to 10 HDL boost you're getting, I'll be thrilled. I'm supposed to retest in December. Like I said, I may try the Policosanol with it and if my Total and LDL don't come down, then I have the Zetia to try with the Niacin. Also, I'm sticking with my Fish Oil and Red Wine as both of these have proven highly successful with tri's.
Lenin
09-25-2006, 09:53 AM
The SLO NIACIN is particles of niacin enclosed in a slow dissolving "polygel."
From the very occasional flushing that I get, I'd say the peak delivery of niacin was in the 1-3 hour delivery window making it slower than Niaspan.
I THINK, but am not sure, that most time release formulations, Rx or not, hexanicotinoate or not, are equally hard on the liver.
I guess my $2.99/hundred was a super SUPER price to pay for the Slo Niacin. (Probabaly came from WM's old stock :D:D)
From the very occasional flushing that I get, I'd say the peak delivery of niacin was in the 1-3 hour delivery window making it slower than Niaspan.
I THINK, but am not sure, that most time release formulations, Rx or not, hexanicotinoate or not, are equally hard on the liver.
I guess my $2.99/hundred was a super SUPER price to pay for the Slo Niacin. (Probabaly came from WM's old stock :D:D)
jkhh
09-25-2006, 07:49 PM
Our Super WM only had a few bottles so I was happy to get it. I did look on [removed], and of course, some was available. I will plan ahead the next time :yawn:. I made an appointment with an Internist today to discuss the ALT levels, cholesterol, and anything else he wishes to treat:) . Hopefully, I will get all of this stuff under control so I can turn 40 next year:D. Again, thanks for all of your input.
mod-anon
09-26-2006, 02:28 AM
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