Glucomannan - Niaspan (Niacin (prescription drug)) Interaction

Interaction Details

Niacin (prescription drug) is classified as belonging to the following category: Oral Drugs

Theoretically, glucomannan may decrease absorption of drugs taken orally.
Due to its viscosity and bulking effects, there is concern that glucomannan can decrease the absorption of oral drugs. A small clinical study in healthy volunteers shows that taking glyburide 2.5 mg plus glucomannan 3.9 grams with breakfast reduces plasma levels of glyburide when compared with breakfast and glyburide alone. To avoid changes in absorption, take glucomannan 30-60 minutes after taking oral drugs.

Interaction Rating

Likelihood of Occurrence

Interaction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.

References

• Shima K, Tanaka A, Ikegami H, et al. Effect of dietary fiber, glucomannan, on absorption of sulfonylurea in man. Horm Metab Res 1983;15:1-3.

Niacin (prescription drug) Overview

• Niacin is used with diet changes (restriction of cholesterol and fat intake) to reduce the amount of cholesterol (a fat-like substance) and other fatty substances in your blood and to increase the amount of high density lipoprotein (HDL; ''good cholesterol''). Niacin can be used in a number of situations including the following:

  • alone or in combination with other medications, such as HMG-CoA inhibitors (statins) or bile acid-binding resins;

  • to decrease the risk of another heart attack in patients with high cholesterol who have had a heart attack;

  • to prevent worsening of atherosclerosis (buildup of cholesterol and fats along the walls of the blood vessels) in patients with high cholesterol and coronary artery disease;

  • to reduce the amount of triglycerides (other fatty substances) in the blood in patients with very high triglycerides who are at risk of pancreatic disease (conditions affecting the pancreas, a gland that produces fluid to break down food and hormones to control blood sugar).

• Niacin is also used to prevent and treat pellagra (niacin deficiency), a disease caused by inadequate diet and other medical problems. Niacin is a B-complex vitamin. At therapeutic doses, niacin is a cholesterol-lowering medication.

• Results of a clinical study in people with heart disease and well-controlled cholesterol levels that compared people who took niacin and simvastatin with people who took simvastatin alone and found similar results for the two groups in the rate of heart attacks or strokes. Taking niacin along with simvastatin or lovastatin also has not been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease or death compared with the use of niacin, simvastatin, or lovastatin alone. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about the risks and benefits of treating increased amounts of cholesterol in your blood with niacin and other medications.

Glucomannan - More Interactions

Glucomannan interacts with 1987 drugs

Interaction Rating Key

These severity listings are for informational use only. Never start, stop or otherwise change your therapy before speaking with your provider.