Effects of extended-release niacin/laropiprant on correlations between apolipoprotein B, LDL-cholesterol and non-HDL-cholesterol in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Background: LDL-C, non-HDL-C and ApoB levels are inter-correlated and all predict risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and/or high TG. These levels are lowered by extended-release niacin (ERN), and changes in the ratios of these levels may affect ASCVD risk. This analysis examined the effects of extended-release niacin/laropiprant (ERN/LRPT) on the relationships between apoB:LDL-C and apoB:non-HDL-C in patients with T2DM.

Safety and tolerability of extended-release niacin-laropiprant: Pooled analyses for 11,310 patients in 12 controlled clinical trials.

Background: The Heart Protection Study 2-Treatment of HDL to Reduce the Incidence of Vascular Events (HPS2-THRIVE) showed that adding extended-release niacin-laropiprant (ERN-LRPT) to statin provided no incremental cardiovascular benefit vs placebo (PBO). ERN-LRPT was also associated with an excess of serious adverse experiences (AEs), some of which were unexpected (infections and bleeding). These findings led to the withdrawal of ERN-LRPT from all markets.

Extended-release niacin/laropiprant significantly improves lipid levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus irrespective of baseline glycemic control.

Background: The degree of glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) may alter lipid levels and may alter the efficacy of lipid-modifying agents.

Objective: Evaluate the lipid-modifying efficacy of extended-release niacin/laropiprant (ERN/LRPT) in subgroups of patients with T2DM with better or poorer glycemic control.

Methods: Post hoc analysis of clinical trial data from patients with T2DM who were randomized 4:3 to double-blind ERN/LRPT or placebo (n=796), examining the lipid-modifying effects of ERN/LRPT in patients with glycosylated hemoglobin or fasting plasma glucose levels above and below median baseline levels.

The association of flushing bother, impact, treatment satisfaction and discontinuation of niacin therapy.

Background: Niacin has lipid-modifying efficacy and cardiovascular benefit, but is underutilised because of niacin-induced flushing (NIF). This real-world, prospective, observational study characterised the severity and impact of NIF symptoms among participants who were newly prescribed extended-release (ER) niacin.

Methods: Participants were surveyed daily during week 1 of therapy, at weeks 5, 9, 13, and at months 7, 10 and 13.

Effects of niacin on the incidence of new onset diabetes and cardiovascular events in patients with normoglycaemia and impaired fasting glucose.

Background: This post hoc analysis from the Coronary Drug Project (CDP) evaluated the effects of niacin vs. placebo on the incidence of new onset type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular event rates in patients with normal and impaired fasting glucose (IFG).

Methods: The CDP was a randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial of lipid-modifying agents in men with previous myocardial infarction.

Effectiveness and safety of laropiprant on niacin-induced flushing.

Extended-release niacin (ERN) improves multiple lipid parameters but is underused owing to niacin-induced flushing (NIF). Laropiprant (LRPT) reduces NIF; however, its effects on chronic flushing (>6 months) have not been studied. We examined whether after 20 weeks of treatment with ERN/LRPT, patients who continued ERN/LRPT would experience less NIF than patients who stopped LRPT and continued ERN alone.

Consistency of extended-release niacin/laropiprant effects on Lp(a), ApoB, non-HDL-C, Apo A1, and ApoB/ApoA1 ratio across patient subgroups.

Background: According to prior analyses, extended-release niacin/laropiprant (ERN/LRPT) consistently reduces low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides (TG) and increases high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels across a wide range of dyslipidemic patient subgroups.

Objectives: This analysis examined ERN/LRPT's consistency across four phase III, randomized, double-blind trials in improving other lipid/lipoprotein parameters associated with cardiovascular risk, across several key dyslipidemic patient subgroups.

Methods: In three of the studies, the randomized population included patients with primary hypercholesterolemia or mixed hyperlipidemia; in the remaining study, the population included patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Lipid-altering efficacy and safety profile of co-administered extended release niacin/laropiprant and simvastatin versus atorvastatin in patients with mixed hyperlipidemia.

Background: Extended-release niacin/laropiprant (ERN/LRPT) reduces flushing and preserves the lipid-modifying effects of ERN. This study compared the efficacy and safety of ERN/LRPT plus simvastatin (ERN/LRPT+SIMVA) with atorvastatin (ATORVA) in patients with mixed hyperlipidemia.

Methods: After a 4-week placebo run-in, 2340 patients (LDL-C ≥ 130 and ≤ 190 mg/dL, TG ≥ 150 and ≤ 500 mg/dL and above NCEP ATP III risk-based LDL-C goal) were randomized to 1 of 6 treatment arms: ERN/LRPT 1g/20mg+SIMVA (10 or 20mg), or ATORVA (10, 20, 40, or 80 mg) once daily.

Extended-release niacin/laropiprant lowers serum phosphorus concentrations in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Background: Niacin compounds lower serum phosphorus concentrations in patients with end-stage renal disease.

Methodology: We evaluated the impact of extended release niacin, given in fixed-dose combination with laropiprant, a specific inhibitor of prostaglandin-mediated, niacin-induced flushing, versus placebo, on serum phosphorus concentrations measured serially (at weeks 0, 4, 8, 12, 18, 24, 30, and 36) during a 36-week randomized, controlled trial. All subjects had a confirmed diagnosis of type 2 diabetes (n = 446 niacin/laropiprant; n = 339 placebo).

Extended-release niacin/laropiprant lipid-altering consistency across patient subgroups.

Background: In patients with primary hypercholesterolemia or mixed dyslipidemia, extended-release niacin/laropiprant (ERN/LRPT) improves key lipid parameters associated with increased atherosclerotic coronary heart disease (CHD) risk.

Aim: This analysis examined data from four Phase III, randomised, double-blind trials to determine the consistency of ERN/LRPT's lipid-altering efficacy among subgroups of patients.

Methods: Data from four Phase III, randomised, double-blind trials of ERN/LRPT were analysed to determine the consistency of ERN/LRPT's lipid-altering efficacy among subgroups of gender, race (white, non-white), region (US, ex-US), baseline age (<65, ≥65 years), use of statin therapy, CHD risk status (low, multiple, high) and type of hyperlipidemia (primary hypercholesterolemia, mixed dyslipidemia), as well as across baseline low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglyceride (TG) levels.

Efficacy and tolerability of extended-release niacin/laropiprant in dyslipidemic patients with metabolic syndrome.

Objective: Patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Niacin improves lipid abnormalities associated with MetS, but is underused, mainly because of flushing. Laropiprant (LRPT) reduces niacin-induced flushing and, in combination with extended-release niacin (ERN/LRPT), improves lipid levels.

Safety of extended-release niacin/laropiprant in patients with dyslipidemia.

Objective: To evaluate the safety profile of extended-release niacin/laropiprant (ERN/LRPT), pooling data from studies in the clinical development program.

Methods: Data were pooled from three active- or placebo-controlled phase 3 studies and three 1-year extensions of phase 2 studies that ranged from 12 to 52 weeks (N = 4747): ERN/LRPT = 2548; ERN or Niaspan® (ERN-NSP = 1268); or simvastatin or placebo (SIMVA-PBO = 931).

Results: The safety and tolerability profile for ERN/LRPT was similar to that of ERN-NSP, except for fewer flushing-related adverse experiences and discontinuations with ERN/LRPT than ERN-NSP.

Efficacy and safety of extended-release niacin/laropiprant plus statin vs. doubling the dose of statin in patients with primary hypercholesterolaemia or mixed dyslipidaemia.

Background: Co-administration of niacin with statin offers the potential for additional lipid management and cardiovascular risk reduction. However, niacin is underutilised because of the side effects of flushing, mediated primarily by prostaglandin D(2) (PGD(2)). A combination tablet containing extended-release niacin and laropiprant (ERN/LRPT), a PGD(2) receptor (DP1) antagonist, offers improved tolerability.

Hypophosphatemic effect of niacin in patients without renal failure: a randomized trial.

Background And Objectives: Niacin administration lowers the marked hyperphosphatemia that is characteristic of renal failure. We examined whether niacin administration also reduces serum phosphorus concentrations in patients who have dyslipidemia and are free of advanced renal disease.

Design, Setting, Participants, & Measurements: We performed a post hoc data analysis of serum phosphorus concentrations that had been determined serially (at baseline and weeks 4, 8, 12, 18, and 24) among 1547 patients who had dyslipidemia and were randomly assigned in a 3:2:1 ratio to treatment with extended release niacin (ERN; 1 g/d for 4 weeks and dose advanced to 2 g/d for 20 weeks) combined with the selective prostaglandin D2 receptor subtype 1 inhibitor laropiprant (L; n = 761), ERN alone (n = 518), or placebo (n = 268).

Flushing profile of extended-release niacin/laropiprant at initiation of therapy in Asian lipid clinic patients.

Objective: Niacin is underutilized due to flushing, which occurs in over 90% of niacin-treated patients. Laropiprant (LRPT) reduces flushing associated with niacin. This study compared flushing with a combination tablet of extended-release (ER) niacin (ERN)/LRPT to niacin ER (N-ER; without LRPT) during the first week of therapy among patients in Asia.

Flushing profile of extended-release niacin/laropiprant versus gradually titrated niacin extended-release in patients with dyslipidemia with and without ischemic cardiovascular disease.

Niacin has beneficial effects on a patient's lipid and lipoprotein profiles and cardiovascular risk, particularly at doses >2 g/day, but is underused due to flushing. Laropiprant (LRPT), a selective prostaglandin D(2) receptor-1 antagonist, decreases flushing associated with extended-release niacin (ERN). We compared flushing with ERN/LRPT dosed by a simplified 1-g --> 2-g regimen versus gradually titrated niacin extended-release (N-ER; given as NIASPAN, trademark of Kos Life Sciences LLC).

Lipid-modifying efficacy of extended release niacin/laropiprant in Asian patients with primary hypercholesterolemia or mixed hyperlipidemia.

Background: Niacin has proven lipid-modifying efficacy and cardiovascular benefit; however, it is underused because of skin flushing, a process mediated primarily by prostaglandin D(2) (PGD(2)). Laropiprant (LRPT), a PGD(2) receptor (DP1) antagonist that mitigates niacin-induced flushing, has been combined with extended-release niacin (ERN) into a fixed-dose tablet containing 1g of ERN and 20mg of LRPT (ERN/LRPT 1g). In a large-scale (n=∼1600), multinational, 6-month study in dyslipidemic patients, ERN/LRPT 2g produced superior lipid-modifying efficacy vs placebo, whether administered alone or with concomitant statins.

Blood pressure-lowering effects of extended-release niacin alone and extended-release niacin/laropiprant combination: a post hoc analysis of a 24-week, placebo-controlled trial in dyslipidemic patients.

Background: Dyslipidemia and high blood pressure are both major cardiovascular disease risk factors. Niacin is an effective lipid-altering agent that has been reported to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, the more widespread use of niacin is limited, mainly due to the occurrence of flushing.

Lipid-modifying efficacy and tolerability of extended-release niacin/laropiprant in patients with primary hypercholesterolaemia or mixed dyslipidaemia.

Background: Improving lipids beyond low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering with statin monotherapy may further reduce cardiovascular risk. Niacin has complementary lipid-modifying efficacy to statins and cardiovascular benefit, but is underutilised because of flushing, mediated primarily by prostaglandin D(2) (PGD(2)). Laropiprant (LRPT), a PGD(2) receptor (DP1) antagonist that reduces niacin-induced flushing has been combined with extended-release niacin (ERN) into a fixed-dose tablet.

Extended-release niacin/laropiprant: reducing niacin-induced flushing to better realize the benefit of niacin in improving cardiovascular risk factors.

Treatment with niacin effectively improves multiple lipid parameters and cardiovascular outcomes. Widespread use of niacin, however, is limited by flushing, which is mediated primarily by prostaglandin D2 (PGD2). Laropiprant is a selective PGD2 receptor 1 (DP1) antagonist that reduces objective measures of niacin-induced flushing symptoms upon initiation of therapy and with more chronic use.

Safety and efficacy of ezetimibe monotherapy in 1624 primary hypercholesterolaemic patients for up to 2 years.

Aims: This report examined the safety and efficacy of treatment for up to 2 years with the cholesterol absorption inhibitor, ezetimibe (EZE).

Methods: Two identical, randomised, double-blind trials (starting with 827 and 892 patients), evaluated the efficacy and safety of EZE 10 mg/day vs. placebo for 12 weeks in patients with primary hypercholesterolaemia [low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) 3.

Efficacy and safety of ezetimibe/simvastatin versus simvastatin monotherapy in hypercholesterolemic patients with metabolic syndrome.

Background: The combination of ezetimibe and simvastatin (EZE/SIMVA) inhibits intestinal absorption and hepatic synthesis of cholesterol, providing significantly greater LDL-C-lowering compared to either drug alone. We examined the efficacy and safety of EZE/SIMVAin hypercholesterolemic patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS).

Methods: We evaluated pooled data from three similarly designed, randomized, doubleblinded, placebo-controlled studies in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia.

Comparison of effects of ezetimibe/simvastatin versus simvastatin versus atorvastatin in reducing C-reactive protein and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels.

The lowering effects of ezetimibe/simvastatin combination therapy on low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) were compared with those of simvastatin or atorvastatin monotherapy in a large cohort of patients with primary hypercholesterolemia. To compare ezetimibe/simvastatin with simvastatin, data were combined from 3 identical, prospective 12-week trials in which patients were randomized to receive placebo; ezetimibe 10 mg; ezetimibe 10 mg added to simvastatin 10, 20, 40, or 80 mg; or simvastatin 10, 20, 40, or 80 mg. To compare ezetimibe/simvastatin with atorvastatin, data were analyzed from a phase III double-blind, active-controlled study in which patients were randomized equally to receive ezetimibe/simvastatin 10/10, 10/20, 10/40, or 10/80 mg or atorvastatin 10, 20, 40, or 80 mg for 6 weeks.

Comparison of the lipid-modifying efficacy and safety profiles of ezetimibe coadministered with simvastatin in older versus younger patients with primary hypercholesterolemia: a post Hoc analysis of subpopulations from three pooled clinical trials.

Background: Despite the need for effective and well-tolerated lipid-lowering therapies for primary hypercholesterolemia in older patients, there is a relative paucity of published data on such treatments in this population.

Objective: We conducted a post hoc analysis to examine the lipid-modifying efficacy and safety profile of simvastatin (SIMVA) monotherapy, and the coadministration of ezetimibe (EZE) and SIMVA (EZE/SIMVA) in older (ie, aged>or=65 years) versus younger (ie, aged<65 years) patients with primary hypercholesterolemia.

Methods: We analyzed pooled data from 3 previously published, similarly designed, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia.

Consistency of lipid-altering effects of ezetimibe/simvastatin across gender, race, age, baseline low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, and coronary heart disease status: results of a pooled retrospective analysis.

Background: The combination tablet containing ezetimibe and simvastatin (EZE/SIMVA), inhibits both the intestinal absorption and endogenous production of cholesterol, providing significantly greater low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering than EZE or SIMVA alone. The purpose of this pooled analysis was to evaluate the consistency of efficacy (i.e.