Fatty Liver Treatment with Niaspan

[Brad771]

I am a 33-year-old male diagnosed with a fatty liver.  I have slightly elevated triglycerides with low HDL.  My doctor correlates the latter to the former.  Recently, my doctor suggested that he has successfully treated and eliminated fatty liver with Niaspan.   I cannot find any literature on the matter.  Niaspan will certainly address the low HDL.  However, can you clarify whether (1) Niaspan would treat fatty liver and (2) is Niaspan's use contradicted with those diagnosed with fatty liver disease?

Regards,

Brad

[Otto44$]

I know that you're questioning Niaspan vs. liver. I wanted to also share with you a side effect of Niaspan is gout. If you never had it before, and start to more than likely it's the Niaspan that caused it. My husband was on Niaspan for a a couple of yrs. well, for the last yr. before discontinuing it, he kept getting flare-ups of gout. He started to get it more often than not. Also, the flare-ups were unbearable, to wear he couldn't go into the office because he couldn't put his shoe on. So, one day when I seen the warning that Niaspan causes gout. He called the PCP, who tried to convince him that it doesn't. Well, I investigated seeing that we've used the same pharmacy for yrs. & knowing that they've the record on when he first starting taking Niaspan. Needless to say, after my investigation on when he had started Niaspan &  then had to take allopurinol for gout. He stopped taking it & informed the PCP. The PCP then agreed with him. Well, again needless to say, it's been approximately 3 yrs. since he's been off & no more gout flare-ups. I just wanted to make you aware, because I know he was suffering.

[mikesimon]

Press Release
Abbott Statement on the Results of the AIM-HIGH Study Presented at AHA 2011

November 15, 2011

Important Safety Information for Niaspan

    Niaspan is not for people with liver problems, stomach ulcers, serious bleeding problems, or those allergic to any product ingredient.

http://www.abbott.com/news-media/press-releases/2011-nov15.htm

[HectorSF]

You should be seeing a specialist to treat your fatty liver. A gastroenterologist or hepatologist. Niaspan is NOT standard treatment for fatty liver disease. NIASPAN® (niacin extended-release tablets), contain niacin, a B-complex vitamin and antihyperlipidemic agent.

What type of fatty liver disease do you have?
NAFLD (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease), NASH (nonalcoholic steatohepatitis).

AASLD Treatment Guidelines:

Recommendations
16. Weight loss generally reduces hepatic steatosis, achieved either by hypocaloric diet alone or in conjunction with increased physical activity.
17. Loss of at least 3-5% of body weight appears necessary to improve steatosis, but a greater weight loss (up to 10%) may be needed to improve necroin-flammation.
18. Exercise alone in adults with NAFLD may reduce hepatic steatosis but its ability to improve other aspects of liver histology remains unknown.

Recommendation
21. Vitamin E (a-tocopherol) administered at daily dose of 800 IU/day improves liver histology in non-diabetic adults with biopsy-proven NASH and
therefore it should be considered as a first-line pharmacotherapy for this patient population.
22. Until further data supporting its effectiveness become available, vitamin E is not recommended to treat NASH in diabetic patients, NAFLD without
liver biopsy, NASH cirrhosis, or cryptogenic cirrhosis

Recommendations
28. Patients with NAFLD should not consume heavy amounts of alcohol
29. No recommendation can be made with regards to non-heavy consumption of alcohol by individuals with NAFLD.

Good luck!
Hector