Can Niaspan or lovastatin cause constipation and/or weight gain?

Can Niaspan or lovastatin cause constipation and/or weight gain?

Can Niaspan or lovastatin cause constipation and/or weight gain?Niaspan (niacin extended release) is a medication that is used to lower triglycerides and cholesterol levels in the body. Niacin is a B vitamin and is believed to work by decreasing the activity of an enzyme that breaks down triglycerides and helps remove them from the body. It is also thought that it decreases the amount of triglycerides produced by the liver. The prescribing information on Niaspan does not list weight gain or constipation as a side effect of the medication. The most common side effects are: flushing of the face or neck, headache, diarrhea, nausea/vomiting, stomach pain, heartburn, and itching. Lovastatin is a medication that is used to lower LDL (bad cholesterol), increase HDL (good cholesterol) and decrease total cholesterol. Lovastatin is in the group of medications called statins that work by decreasing the amount of cholesterol produced by the liver. This action forces the liver to use cholesterol from the bloodstream and this lowers your cholesterol levels. The prescribing information on lovastatin does list constipation as a side effect of the medication.