Efficacy and tolerability of extended-release niacin/laropiprant in dyslipidemic patients with metabolic syndrome

ObjectivePatients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Niacin improves lipid abnormalities associated with MetS, but is underused, mainly because of flushing. Laropiprant (LRPT) reduces niacin-induced flushing and, in combination with extended-release niacin (ERN/LRPT), improves lipid levels.MethodsIn this post-hoc subgroup analysis of a phase 3 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 24-week study (n = 1613), we evaluated the efficacy and safety of ERN/LRPT in dyslipidemic patients with MetS. Dyslipidemic patients were randomized 3:2:1 to ERN/LRPT 1 g, ERN 1 g, or placebo. After 4 weeks, active treatment doses were doubled (2 tablets) for 20 weeks.ResultsRelative to placebo, ERN/LRPT significantly lowered low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels to a similar degree in MetS and non-MetS cohorts. ERN/LRPT significantly (P < .001) lowered triglyceride levels versus placebo in patients with MetS and without MetS (−30.2% vs −22.2%, respectively). The between subgroup difference in triglyceride lowering was not significant. For all lipid parameters, ERN/LRPT and ERN produced similar magnitude changes. ERN/LRPT and ERN produced similar increases in median fasting blood glucose levels versus placebo in patients with MetS (2.0 and 4.0 mg/dL, respectively) and without MetS (4.0 mg/dL for both groups), consistent with a known effect of niacin.ConclusionIn patients with MetS, ERN/LRPT improves multiple lipid parameters associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk. ERN/LRPT numerically improved triglyceride levels more in patients with versus without MetS, which is likely related to greater baseline triglycerides in MetS patients.