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Diffuse macular edema in niacin-induced maculopathy may resolve with dosage decrease
Lars Freisberg1, Timothy J Rolle, Michael S Ip
1From the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin.
Purpose:
To report on a patient with niacin-induced cystic maculopathy that resolved with dosage decrease, not discontinuation, of niacin therapy for dyslipidemia.
Methods:
Retrospective case report. The patient was being followed for vision changes, but his niacin therapy was managed elsewhere.
Results:
Results of the decrease in niacin dosage show clear evidence (with optical coherence tomography) of resolution of retinal edema.
Conclusion:
Our conclusion is that niacin's toxicity has a threshold, and dosage decrease below this threshold allows continuation of therapy at the lower dosage without clinically evident adverse effects on the retina.
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