The action of the drug on the human body is called Pharmacodynamics in Medical terminology. To produce its effect and to change the pathological process that is happening the body and to reduce the symptom or cure the disease, the medicine has to function in a specific way. The changes it does to the body at cellular level gives the desired result of treating a disease. Drugs act by stimulating or inhibiting a receptor or an enzyme or a protein most of the times. Medications are produced in such a way that the ingredients target the specific site and bring about chemical changes in the body that can stop or reverse the chemical reaction which is causing the disease.
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Pharmacology: Pharmacodynamics:Nicolip is a water-soluble B-complex vitamin which is a naturally occurring constituent of foods. The human body is not entirely dependent on dietary sources of Nicolip, since it may also be synthesized from tryptophan.
The mechanism of action by which Nicolip modify lipid profiles is not fully elucidated. However, it is recognised that Nicolip inhibits the release of free fatty acids from adipose tissue resulting in less free fatty acids being presented to the liver. Since fewer fatty acids are being transported to the liver, fewer are esterified to triglycerides and then incorporated into very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL). This may lead to a decrease in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) generation. By increasing lipoprotein lipase activity, Nicolip may increase the rate of chylomicron triglycerides removal from plasma. Thus, Nicolip decreases the rate of hepatic synthesis of VLDL and subsequently LDL. It does not appear to affect faecal excretion of fats, sterols or bile acids.
At the recommended maintenance dose, Niaspan (but not nicotinamide) resulted in a clinical reduction in total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio (-17 to -27%), LDL (-8 to -16%), triglycerides (-14 to -35%) with an increase in HDL (16-26%). In addition to the previously mentioned reduction in LDL levels, Nicolip causes a shift in LDL composition from the small dense LDL particles (major atherogenic lipoprotein) to the larger, more buoyant LDL particles (less atherogenic). The increase in HDL is also associated with a shift in the distribution of HDL subfractions including an increase in the HDL2 to HDL3 ratio, the protective effect of HDL being mainly due to HDL2. Moreover, Nicolip increases serum levels of apolipoprotein A1 (Apo 1), 1 of the 2 major lipoproteins of HDL, while decreases concentrations of apolipoprotein B-100 (Apo B), the major protein component of the VLDL and LDL fractions known to play important roles in atherogenesis. The serum levels of lipoprotein a, [Lp(a)], which present great homology with LDL but considered as an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease are also significantly reduced by Niaspan.
The beneficial effect of Niaspan on morbidity and mortality has not been directly assessed. However, relevant clinical data are available with immediate-release (IR) Nicolip.
Clinical Studies: Niaspan Clinical Studies: Placebo-Controlled Clinical Studies in Patients with Primary Hyperlipidemia and Mixed Dyslipidemia: In 2 randomized, double-blind, parallel, multicenter, placebo-controlled trials, Niaspan dosed at 1,000, 1500 or 2,000 mg daily at bedtime with a low-fat snack for 16 weeks (including 4 weeks of dose escalation) favorably altered lipid profiles compared to placebo. Women appeared to have a greater response than men at each Niaspan dose level.
In a double-blind, multicenter, forced dose-escalation study, monthly 500 mg increases in Niaspan dose resulted in incremental reductions of approximately 5% in LDL-C and Apo B levels in the daily dose range of 500 mg through 2,000 mg. Women again tended to have a greater response to Niaspan than men.
Pooled results for major lipids from these 3 placebo-controlled studies are shown as follows.
Gender Effect:
Combined data from the 3 placebo-controlled, Niaspan studies in patients with primary hyperlipidemia and mixed dyslipidemia suggest that at each Niaspan dose level studied, changes in lipid concentrations are greater for women than for men.
Other Patient Populations: In a double-blind, multicenter, 19-week study, the lipid-altering effects of Niaspan (forced titration to 2,000 mg at bedtime) were compared to baseline in patients whose primary lipid abnormality was a low level of HDL-C (HDL-C ≤40 mg/dL, TG ≤400 mg/dL and LDL-C ≤160 or <130 mg/dL in the presence of CHD). Results are shown as follows.
At Niaspan 2,000 mg/day, median changes from baseline (25th, 75th percentiles) for LDL-C, HDL-C and triglycerides (TG) were -3% (-14, +12%), +27% (+13, +38%) and -33% (-50, -19%), respectively.
Effects of niacin on patient with a stable previously diagnosed cardiovascular disease or history of myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral arterial disease or diabetes mellitus with evidence of symptomatic coronary disease and treated with a LDL-C lowering therapy.
The Atherothrombosis Intervention in Metabolic Syndrome with Low HDL/High Triglycerides: Impact on global health outcomes (AIM-HIGH) trial was a study of 3,414 patients with stable, previously diagnosed cardiovascular disease who were being treated with LDL-C lowering therapy. All participants received simvastatin (or simvastatin plus ezetimibe) at a dose sufficient to maintain a well-controlled LDL-C at 40-80 mg/dL, and in addition were randomized to receive Niaspan (1,500-2,000 mg/day) or matching placebo. The primary endpoint of the study was a composite of the first occurrence of coronary heart disease death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, hospitalization for acute coronary syndrome or symptom-driven coronary or cerebral revascularization procedures. Median baseline lipid levels for the 94% (3,194/3,414) of subjects who were on statin therapy at baseline were LDL-C 71 mg/dL, triglycerides 161 mg/dL, HDL-C 35 mg/dL, ApoB 80 mg/dL and non-HDL-C 106 mg/dL. At 2 years, the HDL cholesterol level had increased by 25% to 42 mg/dL (1.09 mmol/L) in the niacin group whereas it had increased by 9.8% to 38 mg/dL (0.98 mmol/L) in the placebo group (P<0.001). Triglyceride levels had decreased by 28.6% in the niacin group and by 8.1% in the placebo group. The LDL cholesterol level had further decreased by 12% in the niacin group and by 5.5% in the placebo group. These lipid findings persisted through 3 years of follow-up.
After a prespecified interim analysis at a mean 3 year duration of follow-up, the study demonstrated no difference between the treatment groups for the composite primary endpoint (HR=1.02, 95% CI 0.87-1.21, P=0.8) and was stopped thereafter. The heart protection study 2–treatment of HDL to reduce the incidence of vascular events (HPS2-THRIVE) was a study of 25,673 adults, men and women 50-80 years with a history of myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral arterial disease or diabetes mellitus with evidence of symptomatic coronary disease were randomized to receive 2,000 mg of extended-release niacin and 40 mg of laropiprant or a matching placebo daily. During a pre-randomization run-in phase aiming at standardizing the participants' background statin-based LDL cholesterol-lowering therapy, simvastatin 40 mg were administered daily; this pretreatment was complemented with ezetimibe 10 mg daily dose if simvastatin alone failed to be effective or if their total cholesterol level was 135 mg/dL (3.5 mmol/L) or higher after 4 weeks.
This pre-randomization run-in phase was also set to establish participants' ability to take extended-release niacin without clinically significant adverse effects. The primary outcome was the 1st major vascular event (nonfatal myocardial infarction, death from coronary causes, stroke or arterial revascularization).
During a median follow-up period of 3.9 years, participants who were assigned to extended-release niacin-laropiprant had an LDL cholesterol level that was on average 10 mg/dL lower (0.25 mmol/L as measured in the central laboratory) and an HDL cholesterol level that was on average >6 mg/dL (0.16 mmol/L) than the levels in those assigned to placebo. Assignment to niacin-laropiprant, as compared with assignment to placebo had no significant effect on the incidence of major vascular events [13.2% and 13.7% of participants with an event, respectively; rate ratio, 0.96; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.9-1.03; P=0.29].
Similarly, there were no significant effects of niacin-laropiprant as compared with placebo on the secondary outcomes of the incidence of major vascular events excluding hemorrhagic stroke (12.4% and 13.1%, respectively; rate ratio, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.88-1.01; P=0.12) or excluding both hemorrhagic stroke and revascularization procedures (7.9% and 8.4%, respectively; rate ratio, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.87-1.03; P=0.2). With respect to the separate components of major vascular events, there was no significant effect of niacin-laropiprant as compared with placebo on the incidence of major coronary events (rate ratio, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.87-1.07; P=0.51) or any stroke (rate ratio, 1; 95% CI, 0.88-1.13; P=0.56) but there was a nominally significant 10% proportional reduction in arterial revascularization procedures (rate ratio, 0.9; 95% CI, 0.82-0.99; P=0.03). With respect to subtypes of stroke, there was no significant effect of niacin-laropiprant as compared with placebo on the incidence of presumed ischemic stroke (3% and 3.2%, respectively; rate ratio, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.82-1.08) or hemorrhagic stroke (0.9% vs 0.7%, respectively; rate ratio, 1.28; 95% CI, 0.97-1.69).
An unadjusted P value of <0.05 for heterogeneity or trend was observed in the following respecified subgroup categories: Smoking status, alcohol intake, β-blocker use, LDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein B levels. The nominally significant trend (P=0.02) toward a greater reduction in risk in the subgroup with a higher baseline LDL cholesterol level may be related at least in part to the greater reduction in the LDL cholesterol level in that subgroup. Significant excess of bleeding, serious infections and new onset of diabetes mellitus were reported.
Pharmacokinetics:Absorption: Nicolip is rapidly and extensively absorbed when administered orally (at least 60-76% of dose).
Single-dose bioavailability studies have demonstrated that the 500-mg and 1,000-mg tablet strengths are dosage form equivalent and therefore, interchangeable.
Due to extensive and saturable first-pass metabolism, Nicolip concentrations in the general circulation are dose-dependent and highly variable. Time to reach the maximum Nicolip plasma concentrations was about 5 hrs following Niaspan. To reduce the risk of gastrointestinal upset, administration of Niaspan with a low-fat meal or snack is recommended.
Distribution: Studies using radiolabeled Nicolip in mice show that Nicolip and its metabolites concentrate in the liver, kidney and adipose tissue.
Metabolism: The pharmacokinetic profile of Nicolip is complicated due to rapid and extensive first-pass metabolism which is species- and dose rate-specific. In humans, 1 pathway (Pathway 1) is through a simple conjugation step with glycine to form nicotinuric acid (NUA). NUA is then excreted in the urine, although there may be a small amount of reversible metabolism back to Nicolip. There is evidence to suggest that Nicolip metabolism along this pathway leads to flush. The other pathway (Pathway 2) results in the formation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). A predominance of metabolism down Pathway 2 may lead to hepatotoxicity. It is unclear whether nicotinamide is formed as a precursor to, or following the synthesis of NAD. Nicotinamide is further metabolised to at least N-methylnicotinamide (MNA) and nicotinamide N-oxide (NNO). MNA is further metabolised to 2 other compounds, N-methyl-2-pyridone-5-carboxamide (2PY) and N-methyl-4-pyridone-5-carboxamide (4PY). The formation of 2PY appears to predominate over 4PY in humans. At the doses used to treat hyperlipidaemia, these metabolic pathways are saturable, which explains the nonlinear relationship between Nicolip dose and plasma concentrations following multiple-dose Niaspan administration.
Nicotinamide does not have hypolipidaemic activity; the activity of the other metabolites is unknown.
Elimination: Nicolip and its metabolites are rapidly eliminated in the urine. Following single and multiple doses, approximately 60-76% of the dose administered as Niaspan was recovered in the urine as Nicolip and metabolites; up to 12% was recovered as unchanged Nicolip after multiple dosing. The ratio of metabolites recovered in the urine was dependent on the dose administered.
Gender Differences: Steady-state plasma concentrations of Nicolip and metabolites after administration of Niaspan are generally higher in women than in men, with the magnitude of difference varying with dose and metabolite. Recovery of Nicolip and metabolites in urine, however, is generally similar for men and women, indicating the absorption is similar for both genders. The gender differences observed in plasma levels of Nicolip and its metabolites may be due to gender-specific differences in metabolic rate or volume of distribution.
Pediatric Use: No pharmacokinetic studies have been performed in this population (≤16 years).
Geriatric Use: No pharmacokinetic studies have been performed in this population (>65 years).
Drug Interactions: Lovastatin: When Niaspan 2,000 mg and lovastatin 40 mg were co-administered, Niaspan increased lovastatin peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) by 2% and 14%, respectively, and decreased lovastatin acid Cmax and AUC by 22% and 2%, respectively. Lovastatin reduced Niaspan bioavailability by 2-3%.
Simvastatin: When Niaspan 2,000 mg and simvastatin 40 mg were co-administered, Niaspan increased simvastatin Cmax and AUC by 1% and 9%, respectively, and simvastatin acid Cmax and AUC by 2% and 18%, respectively. Simvastatin reduced Niaspan bioavailability by 2%.
Bile Acid Sequestrants: An in vitro study was carried out investigating the Nicolip-binding capacity of colestipol and cholestyramine. About 98% of available Nicolip was bound to colestipol, with 10-30% binding to cholestyramine.
Toxicology: Preclinical Safety Data: Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis & Impairment of Fertility: Nicolip administered to mice for a lifetime as a 1% solution in drinking water was not carcinogenic. The mice in this study received approximately 6-8 times a human dose of 3,000 mg/day as determined on a mg/m2 basis. Nicolip was negative for mutagenicity in the Ames test. No studies on impairment of fertility have been performed. No studies have been conducted with Niaspan regarding carcinogenicity, mutagenicity or impairment of fertility.
Nicolip administration
Administration of drug is important to know because the drug absorption and action varies depending on the route and time of administration of the drug. A medicine is prescribed before meals or after meals or along with meals. The specific timing of the drug intake about food is to increase its absorption and thus its efficacy. Few work well when taken in empty stomach and few medications need to be taken 1 or 2 hrs after the meal. A drug can be in the form of a tablet, a capsule which is the oral route of administration and the same can be in IV form which is used in specific cases. Other forms of drug administration can be a suppository in anal route or an inhalation route.
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Should be taken with food. Take at bedtime after a low-fat snack.
May be taken with or without food. May be taken w/ meals if GI discomfort occurs.
Nicolip pharmacology
Pharmacokinetics of a drug can be defined as what body does to the drug after it is taken. The therapeutic result of the medicine depends upon the Pharmacokinetics of the drug. It deals with the time taken for the drug to be absorbed, metabolized, the process and chemical reactions involved in metabolism and about the excretion of the drug. All these factors are essential to deciding on the efficacy of the drug. Based on these pharmacokinetic principles, the ingredients, the Pharmaceutical company decides dose and route of administration. The concentration of the drug at the site of action which is proportional to therapeutic result inside the body depends on various pharmacokinetic reactions that occur in the body.
Nicolip binds to Nicotinate D-ribonucleotide phyrophsopate phosphoribosyltransferase, Nicolip phosphoribosyltransferase, Nicotinate N-methyltransferase and the Nicolip receptor. Nicolip is the precursor to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP), which are vital cofactors for dozens of enzymes. The mechanism by which niacin exerts its lipid lowering effects is not entirely understood, but may involve several actions, including a decrease in esterification of hepatic triglycerides. Nicolip treatment also decreases the serum levels of apolipoprotein B-100 (apo B), the major protein component of the VLDL (very low-density lipoprotein) and LDL fractions.
References
DailyMed. "NIACIN: DailyMed provides trustworthy information about marketed drugs in the United States. DailyMed is the official provider of FDA label information (package inserts).". https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailyme... (accessed September 17, 2018).
NCIt. "Niacin: NCI Thesaurus (NCIt) provides reference terminology for many systems. It covers vocabulary for clinical care, translational and basic research, and public information and administrative activities.". https://ncit.nci.nih.gov/ncitbrowser... (accessed September 17, 2018).
EPA DSStox. "Nicotinic acid: DSSTox provides a high quality public chemistry resource for supporting improved predictive toxicology.". https://comptox.epa.gov/dashboard/ds... (accessed September 17, 2018).
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