Niacin extended-release tablet, USP contains niacin, which at therapeutic doses is an antihyperlipidemic agent. Niacin (nicotinic acid, or 3-pyridinecarboxylic acid) is a white, crystalline powder, very soluble in water, with the following structural formula: Niacin extended-release tablet, USP are unscored, orange, film- coated tablets for oral administration and is available in two tablet strengths containing 500 and 1000 mg niacin. Niacin extended-release tablets, USP also contain the inactive ingredients hypromellose, povidone, stearic acid, and polyethylene glycol, and the following coloring agents: FD&C yellow #6/sunset yellow FCF Aluminum Lake, synthetic red and yellow iron oxides, and titanium dioxide. FDA approved dissolution test specifications differ from USP. niacin-api-str

What kind of drug is niacin?

The FDA classifies niacin as a nicotinic acid. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.

Can you take niacin with other medicines?

It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run niacin against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.

What brand names is niacin sold under?

We track 4 niacin-containing products in the U.S.: Niaspan, Niaspan Titration Starter Pack, Niacin and Wampocap. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.

What forms does niacin come in?

Across the brands we track, niacin is currently marketed as tablet, extended release, tablet and capsule, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.

Is there a generic niacin?

Yes. Our catalog lists 1 generic niacin product alongside the brand versions. A generic has the same active ingredient and must meet the FDA's bioequivalence standard; it usually costs less. Ask your pharmacist which one your plan covers.

Has niacin been recalled?

The FDA's Enforcement database lists at least 5 recall records whose product description mentions niacin. The most recent: GSMS Incorporated (May 29, 2026). A recall applies to specific lots, not to the drug as a whole — check the record for the affected lot numbers.

Niacin: uses, dosing, side effects & brands

Niacin is a nicotinic acid sold in the U.S. under 4 brand and generic names, for hypercholesterolemia, pellagra and hypertriglyceridemia. Below: what the FDA label says, every product that contains it, what the pills look like, and its recall record.

By the pharmaranks editorial teamReviewed against the FDA (openFDA label, NDC Directory & Enforcement) sourcesHow we research

Key facts

Drug class: Nicotinic Acid
Treats: Hypercholesterolemia, Pellagra and Hypertriglyceridemia
Available as: Tablet, extended release · Tablet · Capsule
Sold as: 4 products — Niaspan, Niaspan Titration Starter Pack and Niacin, and others
Prescription?: Prescription only
Generic available?: Yes
Typical price: about $8 for a 30-count supply

How niacin is dosed

From the FDA label for Niaspan (application NDA020381). Other niacin products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.

Niacin extended-release tablets should be taken at bedtime with a low-fat snack. ( 2.1 ) Dose range: 500 mg to 2000 mg once daily. ( 2.1 ) Therapy with niacin extended-release tablets must be initiated at 500 mg at bedtime in order to reduce the incidence and severity of side effects which may occur during early therapy and should not be increased by more than 500 mg in any 4-week period. ( 2.1 ) Maintenance dose: 1000 to 2000 mg once daily. ( 2.2 ) Doses greater than 2000 mg daily are not recommended. ( 2.2 ) 2.1 Initial Dosing Niacin extended-release tablets should be taken at bedtime, after a low-fat snack, and doses should be individualized according to patient response. Therapy with niacin extended-release tablets must be initiated at 500 mg at bedtime in order to reduce the incidence and severity of side effects which may occur during early therapy. The recommended dose escalation is shown in Table 1 below. Table 1. Recommended Dosing Week(s) Daily dose Niacin Extended-Release Tablets Dosage INITIAL TITRATION 1 to 4 500 mg 1 niacin extended-release 500 mg tablet at bedtime SCHEDULE 5 to 8 1000 mg 1 niacin extended-release 1000 mg tablet or 2 niacin extended-release 500 mg tablets at bedtime * 1500 mg 3 niacin extended-release 500 mg tablets at bedtime * 2000 mg 2 niacin extended-release 1000 mg tablets or 4 niacin extended-release 500 mg tablets at bedtime * After Week…

Niacin side effects

The following adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the labeling: • Mortality and Coronary Heart Disease Morbidity [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] • Skeletal Muscle (rhabdomyolysis) [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] • Liver Dysfunction [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] • Laboratory Abnormalities [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] Most common adverse reactions (incidence >5% and greater than placebo) are flushing, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, increased cough, and pruritus. ( 6.1 ) Flushing of the skin may be reduced in frequency or severity by pretreatment with aspirin (up to the recommended dose of 325 mg taken 30 minutes prior to niacin extended-release tablet dose). ( 2.2 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Macleods Pharma USA Inc. at 1-888-943-3210 or 1-855-926-3384 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Studies Experience Because clinical studies are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical studies of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical studies of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. In the placebo-controlled clinical trials database of 402 patients (age range 21 to 75 years, 33% women, 89% Caucasians, 7% Blacks, 3% Hispanics, 1% Asians) with a median treatment duration of 16 weeks,…

Every niacin product we track (4)

Same active ingredient — different manufacturer, form, price and FDA recall record. That last one is what our independent score measures.

Niacin products
#	Drug	Rating	Type	Form	Generic?	Typical price
1	Niaspan	70/100	Prescription	Tablet	Generic	$8	View →
2	Niaspan Titration Starter Pack	70/100	Prescription	Tablet	Generic

What niacin pills look like

Imprint codes, colour and shape from the FDA’s labelling data. Match the imprint on your pill — or search any imprint.

Niacin pill imprints
Imprint	Strength	Colour	Shape	Maker
342	750 mg / 27 mg / 500 ug / 2 mg / 50 ug / 100 ug	white	oval	—
T9	1 mg / 100 mg / 20 mg / 1.7 mg / 10 mg / 6 ug / 5 mg / 150 ug	red	oval	—
PN	780 ug / 75 mg / 15 ug / 18 mg / 3.5 mg / 21 mg / 21 mg / 400 ug / 600 ug / 160 mg / 20 mg / 13 ug / 330 ug / 150 ug / 25 mg / 15 mg / 1.5 mg	white	oval	—

Combination products containing niacin

A combination is a different drug — different dosing, different warnings. It is listed here so you can find it, not so you can substitute it.

Niacin recalls

From the FDA Enforcement database. A recall covers specific lots — not the drug as a whole.

Frequently asked questions

What is niacin?: Niacin extended-release tablet, USP contains niacin, which at therapeutic doses is an antihyperlipidemic agent. Niacin (nicotinic acid, or 3-pyridinecarboxylic acid) is a white, crystalline powder, very soluble in water, with the following structural formula: Niacin extended-release tablet, USP are unscored, orange, film- coated tablets for oral administration and is available in two tablet strengths containing 500 and 1000 mg niacin. Niacin extended-release tablets, USP also contain the inactive ingredients hypromellose, povidone, stearic acid, and polyethylene glycol, and the following coloring agents: FD&C yellow #6/sunset yellow FCF Aluminum Lake, synthetic red and yellow iron oxides, and titanium dioxide. FDA approved dissolution test specifications differ from USP. niacin-api-str
What kind of drug is niacin?: The FDA classifies niacin as a nicotinic acid. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.
Can you take niacin with other medicines?: It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run niacin against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.
What brand names is niacin sold under?: We track 4 niacin-containing products in the U.S.: Niaspan, Niaspan Titration Starter Pack, Niacin and Wampocap. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.
What forms does niacin come in?: Across the brands we track, niacin is currently marketed as tablet, extended release, tablet and capsule, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.

Sources: FDA openFDA drug label, National Drug Code Directory, and Enforcement (recall) database. This page reproduces public FDA data and is not medical advice. Dosing is set by your prescriber.