The recently published HPS2–THRIVE study has shown that the addition of extended release niacin to statin therapy in patients with well-controlled levels of LDL cholesterol does not reduce the risk of cardiovascular events and might even increase harm. Consequently, the use of niacin to increase levels of HDL cholesterol is not recommended.
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D.J.R has been a consultant for Merck and Eli Lilly. S.T. declares no competing interests.
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Tuteja, S., Rader, D. Cardiovascular prevention—end of the road for niacin?. Nat Rev Endocrinol 10, 646–647 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrendo.2014.159
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrendo.2014.159