Cápsulas de Acipimox
Olbetam
Revisado por pares por Sid DajaniÚltima actualización por Michael Stewart, MRPharmSÚltima actualización 12 Nov 2024
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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.
De un vistazo
Acipimox is a medicine that lowers high levels of lipids (fats) in your blood.
High lipid levels can narrow blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Take acipimox capsules with a snack or after a meal, two or three times a day.
Common side-effects include headache, facial flushing, and indigestion.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have kidney problems or a stomach ulcer.
Your doctor will advise on diet and exercise, which are important parts of your treatment.
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.
Before taking acipimox
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.
How to take acipimox
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.
Obteniendo el máximo de tu tratamiento
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.
Can acipimox cause problems?
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) | ¿Qué puedo hacer si experimento esto? |
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.
How to store acipimox
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
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 Sitio web de Yellow Card.

¿Inseguro sobre mezclar medicamentos?
Verifica posibles interacciones entre medicamentos, suplementos y alimentos antes de tomarlos juntos.
Preguntas frecuentes
What is the primary goal of taking acipimox?
Acipimox is a medicine prescribed to help lower high levels of lipids, specifically cholesterol and triglycerides, in your blood. This is important because excessively high lipid levels can lead to the build-up of fatty patches in blood vessels, increasing the risk of serious conditions like heart attack and stroke.
How does acipimox work to reduce lipid levels?
Acipimox reduces lipid levels by preventing the release of fats from the tissues in your body that act as storage areas. It is typically used in conjunction with other medicines to achieve the desired lipid-lowering effect.
Is acipimox usually taken on its own, or with other medications?
Acipimox is usually given alongside other medicines that also help to lower lipid levels in the blood, rather than being used as a sole treatment.
Are there any specific dietary recommendations while taking acipimox?
Yes, your doctor will provide advice on maintaining a healthy diet. This includes focusing on healthy eating, reducing alcohol intake, lowering salt consumption, quitting smoking, and engaging in regular exercise. Following this advice is a crucial part of managing your condition and reducing your risk of heart and blood vessel disease.
What should I do if I forget to take a dose of acipimox?
If you miss a dose of acipimox, 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 double up on capsules to compensate for a forgotten dose.
How often will I need follow-up appointments and blood tests while on acipimox?
You should attend regular appointments with your doctor while taking acipimox. You will also need occasional blood tests to monitor your lipid levels and to check that your liver and kidneys are functioning well.
Can acipimox be stopped once my lipid levels improve?
Unless you experience an adverse effect, treatment with acipimox is usually long-term. You should continue to take it regularly as prescribed by your doctor, even if your lipid levels appear to improve.
Lecturas adicionales y referencias
- Manufacturer's PIL, Olbetam® Capsules 250 mg; Pfizer Limited, The electronic Medicines Compendium. Dated October 2020.
- Medicamentos Completos BNF 89ª Edición; Asociación Médica Británica y Sociedad Real de Farmacia de Gran Bretaña, Londres.
Sobre el autorVer biografía completa

Michael Stewart, MRPharmS
Gerente de Revisión de Folletos de Medicamentos – Contratista, Farmacéutico
BPharm (Hons), MRPharmS
Michael es un farmacéutico comunitario que ejerce en Midlands y South Yorkshire con más de 20 años de experiencia asesorando sobre medicamentos y condiciones médicas. Tiene una sólida formación en capacitación en atención médica, habiendo producido e impartido cursos de formación para equipos de farmacia y personal de entornos de atención residencial, incluidas enfermeras. También ha contribuido a juntas asesoras de farmacia para la gestión de condiciones de baja gravedad en la comunidad.
Acerca del revisor

Sid Dajani
Sultan Dajani se graduó en la Escuela de Farmacia de Londres en 1994 y se convirtió en el miembro más joven elegido para el consejo de la Sociedad Real de Farmacia desde su fundación en 1842.
Historial del artículo
La información en esta página está escrita y revisada por pares por clínicos calificados.
Artículo también disponible en Inglés, Alemán, Español, Francés, Italiano, Portugués, Hindi, Hebreo, Árabe, y Sueco.
Próxima revisión: 11 Nov 2027
12 Nov 2024 | Última versión

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