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Acipimox capsules

Olbetam

Take acipimox capsules with, or just after, a meal.

The most common side-effects are headache, flushing and indigestion. These can often occur during the first few days of treatment but soon settle.

Follow carefully any lifestyle advice you have been given such as stopping smoking, avoiding drinking too much alcohol, eating a healthy diet and taking exercise. These are also an important part of managing your condition.

At a glance

  • Acipimox is a medicine that lowers high levels of lipids (fats) in your blood.

  • High lipid levels can lead to serious heart and blood vessel diseases.

  • Take acipimox capsules exactly as your doctor tells you, usually with food.

  • You will need regular blood tests to check your progress and monitor your liver and kidneys.

  • Common side-effects include headache, facial flushing, and indigestion.

  • Speak to your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have kidney problems or a stomach ulcer.

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About acipimox

Tipo de medicamento

A lipid-regulating medicine

Usado para

Lowering lipid levels in the blood

También llamado

Olbetam®

Disponible como

Cápsulas

Lipids, or fats, are made naturally in your body from the food you eat. They are easily stored in your body and serve as a source of energy. Cholesterol and triglycerides are types of lipid. If the concentration of these lipids in your blood becomes too high, it leads to a condition called hiperlipidemia. Although a high blood concentration of lipids will not make you feel ill, it can cause a problem if it is left untreated.

People with high lipid levels can develop small fatty patches called atheroma. These patches develop when excess fat is deposited on to the walls of blood vessels. Over time, these patches can make a blood vessel narrower and this is called atherosclerosis (sometimes referred to as 'hardening of the arteries'). The narrowing reduces the blood flow through the artery and increases the risk of a number of heart and blood vessel diseases, such as ataque al corazón y accidente cerebrovascular.

Some people are able to control high lipid levels by following a healthy diet and taking regular exercise. Medicines like acipimox are prescribed when additional help is needed. Acipimox lowers the levels of lipids in your blood. It does this by preventing the release of fats from the tissues in your body which act as storage areas. It is usually given alongside other medicines to lower lipid levels.

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking acipimox it is important that your doctor knows:

  • Si estás embarazada o amamantando.

  • Si tienes algún problema con el funcionamiento de tus riñones.

  • If you have a stomach ulcer.

  • Si está tomando o usando otros medicamentos. Esto incluye cualquier medicamento que esté tomando y que esté disponible para comprar sin receta, así como medicamentos herbales y complementarios.

  • Si alguna vez has tenido una reacción alérgica a un medicamento.

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  • Before you start the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about acipimox and will provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you could experience from taking it.

  • Take the capsules exactly as your doctor tells you to. It is usual to take one 250 mg capsule either two or three times a day. Your doctor will tell you which is the right dose for you, and the dose will also be printed on the label of the pack to remind you about what the doctor said.

  • Take the capsule with a snack, or just after eating a meal. It is a good idea to swallow the capsule with a drink of water.

  • Try to take your doses at the same times of day each day, as this will help you to remember to take the capsules regularly. If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is nearly time for your next dose, in which case leave out the missed dose. Do not take two capsules at the same time to make up for a forgotten dose.

  • Try to keep your regular appointments with your doctor. This is so that your doctor can check on your progress. You will need to have some blood tests from time to time. These are to measure your lipid levels and also to check that your liver and kidneys are working well.

  • Your doctor will give you advice about eating a healthy diet, cutting down on the amount of alcohol you normally drink, reducing the amount of salt in your diet, stopping smoking, and taking regular exercise. Following this advice will help you to reduce your risk of developing heart and blood vessel disease, and is an important part of managing your condition.

  • Treatment with acipimox is usually long-term unless you experience an adverse effect. You should continue to take it regularly.

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Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common side-effects associated with acipimox. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. Unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

Very common acipimox side-effects (these affect more than 1 in 10 people)

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Dolor de cabeza

This is more likely in the first few days of treatment. Drink plenty of water and ask your pharmacist to recommend a suitable painkiller. If the headaches continue, let your doctor know

Facial flushing

This is more likely in the first few days of treatment and should settle as your body gets used to acipimox

Indigestión

Try to stick to simple meals (avoid rich or spicy foods), and remember to take the capsules after food.

Common acipimox side-effects (these affect fewer than 1 in 10 people)

¿Qué puedo hacer si experimento esto?

Itchy skin reactions, feeling weak, stomach pain

Si alguno de estos se vuelve problemático, hable con su médico

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to the capsules, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.

  • Mantenga todos los medicamentos fuera del alcance y la vista de los niños.

  • Almacenar en un lugar fresco y seco, lejos del calor y la luz directos.

Información importante sobre todos los medicamentos

Nunca tome más de la dosis prescrita. Si sospecha que usted u otra persona podría haber tomado una sobredosis de este medicamento, acuda al departamento de accidentes y emergencias de su hospital local. Lleve el envase con usted, incluso si está vacío.

Este medicamento es para ti. Nunca lo des a otras personas, incluso si su condición parece ser la misma que la tuya.

Si compras algún medicamento, consulta con un farmacéutico que sea seguro tomarlo junto con tus otros medicamentos.

Si vas a someterte a una operación o tratamiento dental, informa a la persona que realiza el tratamiento sobre los medicamentos que estás tomando.

No guardes medicamentos caducados o no deseados. Llévalos a tu farmacia local, que se encargará de desecharlos por ti.

Si tienes alguna pregunta sobre este medicamento, consulta a tu farmacéutico.

Informar efectos secundarios de un medicamento o vacuna

Si experimenta efectos secundarios, puede reportarlos en línea a través de Yellow Card website.

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Preguntas frecuentes

What are lipids and why are high levels a concern?

Lipids are fats made naturally in your body from the food you eat, such as cholesterol and triglycerides. They are easily stored and used as energy. If their concentration in your blood becomes too high, it's called hyperlipidaemia. While it doesn't cause immediate symptoms, high lipid levels can lead to fatty patches called atheroma on blood vessel walls. These can narrow blood vessels, a condition known as atherosclerosis or 'hardening of the arteries', which reduces blood flow and increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.

How does acipimox work to lower lipid levels?

Acipimox works by preventing the release of fats from your body's tissues where they are stored. This action helps to reduce the overall levels of lipids in your blood. It is usually prescribed in combination with other medicines that also aim to lower lipid levels.

Is acipimox a long-term treatment?

Yes, treatment with acipimox is typically a long-term commitment. You should continue to take it regularly as prescribed by your doctor, unless you experience an adverse effect that requires you to stop or change your medication.

What should I do if I forget to take a dose of acipimox?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it's almost time for your next scheduled dose, you should skip the missed dose entirely. Do not take two capsules at once to compensate for a forgotten dose.

Will I need any regular check-ups or tests while taking acipimox?

Yes, it's important to keep your regular appointments with your doctor while on acipimox. You will need to have blood tests from time to time to monitor your lipid levels. These tests also help to ensure that your liver and kidneys are functioning properly.

Can I drink alcohol while taking acipimox?

While the article doesn't state that alcohol is strictly forbidden, your doctor will likely advise you on cutting down the amount of alcohol you normally drink as part of a broader strategy to manage your condition and reduce the risk of heart and blood vessel disease.

What common side effects should I be aware of with acipimox?

Very common side effects, affecting more than 1 in 10 people, include headache, facial flushing, and indigestion. Headaches and flushing are more likely in the first few days and often settle. For headaches, drink water and consider a suitable painkiller. For indigestion, try simple meals and take capsules after food. Common side effects, affecting fewer than 1 in 10, include itchy skin reactions, feeling weak, and stomach pain. If any side effects become troublesome or continue, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.

Lecturas adicionales y referencias

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About the authorView full bio

Author image

Michael Stewart, MRPharmS

Medicine Leaflet Review Manager – Contractor, Pharmacist

BPharm (Hons), MRPharmS

Michael is a community pharmacist practicing in the Midlands and South Yorkshire with more than 20 years’ experience advising on medicines and medical conditions. He has a strong background in healthcare training, having produced and delivered training courses for pharmacy teams and staff of residential care settings, including nurses. He has also contributed to pharmacy advisory boards for the management of low acuity conditions in the community.

About the reviewer

Author image

Sid Dajani

Sultan Dajani qualified at the London School of Pharmacy in 1994 and became the youngest elected member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society council since its founding in 1842.

Historial del artículo

La información en esta página está escrita y revisada por pares por clínicos calificados.

  • Próxima revisión: 11 Nov 2027
  • 12 Nov 2024 | Última versión

    Última actualización por

    Michael Stewart, MRPharmS

    Revisado por pares por

    Sid Dajani
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