Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Diabetes - Adult Type II (Expert Forum)
Niacin & Glucose levels
Answered by
Anita Ramsetty, MD - GeneralEndocrinology, Diabetes Type 1, Diabetes Type 2, Thyroid Disorders, AdrenalInsufficiency, CF-Related Diabetes
Endocrine Care Group
Questions in the Adult Type II Diabetes forum are answered by Dr. Anita Ramsetty. Topics covered include Type 2 Diabetes, blood glucose monitoring, diabetes and heart disease, diabetes and pneumonia, diabetes and pregnancy,
diabetes and vision problems, diabetes and wound healing, diabetic complications, hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, and insulin.
Niacin & Glucose levels
by WilliamR, Oct 28, 2007 12:45PM
I also have heard that niaicin can cause a rise glucose levels. Would the drug niaspan at 1000 mg per day tend to do this? If so, if the niaspan was stopped would the glucose levels revert to what they would have been prior to the niacin therapy?
I do realize that there are other considerations - since the niaspan has a positive effect on blood cholesterol- but the focus of this question is limited to the glucose aspects.
I do realize that there are other considerations - since the niaspan has a positive effect on blood cholesterol- but the focus of this question is limited to the glucose aspects.
Doctor's Answer
by Anita Ramsetty, MD, Oct 29, 2007 02:58PM
, Oct 29, 2007 02:58PM
Hi,
The niacins as a group do have a tendency to raise blood sugars but the effect is usally small. A study in early 2000's showed that use of 1000-1500mg of niacin was associated with a minimal increase in fasting glucose numbers and an A1C increase of about 0.03% over time.
I am not certain about glucose numbers reverting to absolute baseline after stopping the niaspan, especially if it is after several years. If it is stopped within a few months the glucoses will go back to baseline, or close.
Hope this helps.
Take care.
The niacins as a group do have a tendency to raise blood sugars but the effect is usally small. A study in early 2000's showed that use of 1000-1500mg of niacin was associated with a minimal increase in fasting glucose numbers and an A1C increase of about 0.03% over time.
I am not certain about glucose numbers reverting to absolute baseline after stopping the niaspan, especially if it is after several years. If it is stopped within a few months the glucoses will go back to baseline, or close.
Hope this helps.
Take care.
