Alternative Options to Minimize Niacin-Induced Flushing
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2010-12-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Niacin (Vitamin B3) is known to effectively and safely treat hypercholesterolemia. However,
use of niacin is limited due to incidents of flushing which limits its acceptability. Some
information suggests that applesauce can reduce the incidence and severity of flushing. The
apple pectin in particular is thought to be the ingredient that affects this reaction. To
determine if the apple pectin does affect flushing from niacin, the investigators will study
the affects of isolated apple pectin in pill form. The investigators plan on recruiting 100
patients, and giving them 1000 mg of Niacin to induce flushing. Patients will be divided into
4 treatment groups and receive either pectin, aspirin, a combination of both, or placebo.
Incidents and severity of flushing will be monitored for up to 6 hours post Niacin ingestion.