Methods for reducing flushing in individuals being treated with nicotinic acid for hyperlipidemia

摘要

Methods for reducing flushing in individuals being treated for hyperlipidemia with nicotinic acid are disclosed. According to the methods of the present invention, flushing can be reduced in individuals under going nicotinic acid therapy without causing drug-induced hepatotoxicity to a level that would require the nicotinic acid therapy to be discontinued by orally administering to the individuals intermediate nicotinic acid formualtions having unique biopharmaceutical characteristics as a single dose once per day. While the methods of the present invention contemplate administering the intermediate release nicotinic acid formulations at any time during a 24 hour period, it is preferable to administer them once-a-day as a single dose during the evening or at night between about 6:00 pm. and 12:00 a.m., preferably between about 8:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m., and most preferably between about 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.