Niaspan, Niacin, Niacor

Introduction

Written by Rachel Maynard, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Bryson Russell, PharmD, MHSA, MSc
Updated on January 12,2023

Niacin (NYE uh sin) is a generic medication that’s prescribed to help manage certain heart disease-related risks, including high cholesterol. The brand-name version of this drug is Niacor. The cost of niacin with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved niacin to help:

• manage cholesterol levels, including lowering total cholesterol and LDL (bad) cholesterol, and raising HDL (good) cholesterol
• lower triglycerides in some people with very high triglycerides
• lower the risk of having another heart attack in certain people who’ve had a prior heart attack
• slow the progression of or reduce atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in the arteries) in some people with heart disease

Read on to learn about niacin and cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your prescription. If you’d like more information about niacin, including its uses, refer to this overview article. 

*”Extended release” means the drug is slowly released into your body over a period of time.

Cost of niacin

Like other medications, the cost of niacin can vary. Certain factors may affect its price, such as:

• your insurance plan, if you have coverage
• the pharmacy you use

To find out how much niacin costs, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. They may be able to suggest ways to save money on your prescription, including those described in this article. To find out what you’d pay using savings coupons, read the “Coupons for niacin” section.

Coupons for niacin

Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of niacin. The Optum Perks coupons above can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.

Available app for coupons

To make finding and using these coupons easier, you can download the Optum Perks app. To learn more about this prescription discount app, see this article.

Insurance and other considerations for niacin

Here’s a list of things to consider about the cost of prescription drugs:

• Prior authorization: If you have prescription drug insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers the cost of niacin. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for niacin. The insurance company will decide whether to cover the medication. If a drug requires prior authorization and you begin taking it without this, you may have to pay the full price of the drug.
• A 3-month supply: If you’re taking niacin long term, your doctor may suggest a 90-day supply of the medication. This will have to be approved by your insurance company. Getting a 90-day supply could help lower the drug’s cost. It could also save you time having to make trips to your pharmacy.
• Savings accounts: If you’re eligible for a health savings account (HSA) or a flexible spending account (FSA), you can likely use funds from these accounts to pay for your prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medications. HSA and FSA plans help people save money by using pretax dollars to pay for eligible healthcare expenses, such as prescription and OTC drugs. To learn more about whether you’re eligible for these savings accounts and how to use them, talk with your insurance provider or employer.

If you have questions about any of these considerations, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Or contact your insurance company and talk with a representative.

If you don’t have a health insurance plan, let your doctor or pharmacist know. They may suggest online pharmacy options you could use. You can also ask them about ways to obtain health insurance coverage.

Generics vs. brand-names

Niacin is a generic medication. Its brand-name versions are shown in the following table:

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. (An active ingredient is what makes a medication work.) Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name version.

If your doctor has prescribed niacin but you’re interested in taking Niacor, let them know. They may prefer one medication over the other. Also, check whether your insurance plan covers only one version of the drug.

To learn how the cost of niacin compares with its brand-name version, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You could also contact your insurance company. 

Niacin is vitamin B3 and is available as an over-the-counter (OTC) supplement. It comes in a variety of dosage forms and strengths. These may not be interchangeable with prescription forms. If you want to know how an OTC version of niacin compares with your prescription, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start taking an OTC version of niacin instead of your prescription without talking with your doctor first.

Common questions about niacin and cost

Here are some common questions and answers about niacin.  

Is niacin covered by Medicare?

It depends on your Medicare drug plan. Each plan has its own drug list, also called a formulary. If niacin isn’t on your plan’s drug list, a different medication may be available to treat your condition.

If niacin is covered by your Medicare drug plan, the cost may vary based on your specific Medicare plan. It may also depend on whether you’ve paid your deductible for the year.

If you’d like to know more about whether niacin is covered by Medicare, talk with your insurance provider, doctor, or pharmacist.

Why are costs different for brand-name drugs vs. generic drugs?

Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the studies needed to test how safe and effective they are.

Makers of a brand-name drug can sell their drug for up to 20 years. When the patent for a brand-name drug expires, other drugmakers can make and sell generic versions. A generic medication is an identical copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. (An active ingredient is what makes a medication work.)

This competition may help keep costs of generic medications lower. Also, generic medications contain the same active ingredients as brand-name medications. So, they don’t require the same testing, which can be costly.

If you’d like to know more about the cost differences between brand-name and generic drugs, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

What to ask about niacin

This article provides cost information related to niacin. It also offers suggestions for ways to save money on your prescription. Above on this page, you’ll find coupons for niacin.

If you have more questions about paying for this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also contact your insurance company.

Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask regarding the cost of your medication:

• Is it safe to take a niacin supplement over-the-counter (OTC) instead of a prescription to save money?
• Do some forms of niacin cost less than others?
• Is it safe to switch between different niacin forms to reduce my costs?
• Are there other lower cost drugs that could be used to treat my condition?
• What options are available if I can’t afford my medication?

Resources

• Food and Drug Administration. (2024). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm   
• Niacin – niacin tablet. (2021). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/f51f7e6d-b132-48d8-8bb1-54203472f0d8/spl-doc
• Niacin – niacin tablet, film coated, extended release. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/8e290f96-e8c6-47fd-863f-1c9480f28d9b/spl-doc

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.