NIH Pulls Plug on (AIM-HIGH) Trial with Niacin

NIH Pulls Plug on (AIM-HIGH) Trial with Niacin. Trial of extended-release niacin (Niaspan, Abbott) given in addition to statin therapy in patients with a history of cardiovascular disease, high triglycerides, and low levels of HDL cholesterol has been halted prematurely, 18 months ahead of schedule, because niacin offered no additional benefits in this patient population. There was also a small, unexplained increase in ischemic stroke in the high-dose, extended-release niacin group. However, patients concerned about these results should not discontinue therapy until checking with their doctors first.

Common Test Predicts Early Death in Diabetes. See this week’s Item #1.