"Furthermore, the American Heart Association and the National Cholesterol Education Program both take the position that only prescription niacin should be used

"Furthermore, the American Heart Association and the National Cholesterol Education Program both take the position that only prescription niacin should be used to treat dyslipidemias, and only under the management of a physician. The reason given is that niacin at effective intakes of 1500–3000 mg/day can also potentially have severe adverse effects. Monitoring of liver enzymes is necessary." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niacin http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niacin