Low-Dose Aspirin and Ibuprofen Reduce the Cutaneous Reactions Following Niacin Administration

BACKGROUND: Moderate doses of prostaglandin inhibitors may reduce the cutaneous reactions from niacin administration. We undertook this study to determine if low doses of either ibuprofen or aspirin reduces cutaneous reactions from niacin in healthy volunteers. METHODS: Twenty-two subjects were randomized to received crystalline niacine 500 mg preceded by either placebo, aspirin 165 mg, aspirin 325 mg, or ibuprofen 200 mg. The study was crossover and double blinded, and treatment arms were separated by 2 days. Subjects were asked to rate the severity of flushing, itching, and tingling after niacin on a visual analog scale (0---no symptoms; 10---severe symptoms). Statistical analysis was performed using repeated measures of analysis of variance. RESULTS: Nineteen of the 22 subjects completed the protocol. Overall, aspirin 325 mg statistically reduced flushing after niacin administration. No statistical difference was observed for the other treatment arms for either flushing, itching, or tingling. When subjects experiencing the worse symptoms were analyzed separately, all treatment arms statistically reduced the flushing, itching, or tingling from niacin. Aspirin 325 mg was the most efficacious, followed by aspirin 165 mg and ibuprofen 200 mg. CONCLUSION: These data demonstrate that pretreatment with low doses of aspirin or ibuprofen are effective in reducing cutaneous reactions from niacin administration.