Acipimox kapslar
Olbetam
Granskad av Sid DajaniSenast uppdaterad av Michael Stewart, MRPharmSSenast uppdaterad 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.
Överblick
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
Typ av medicin | A lipid-regulating medicine |
Används för | Lowering lipid levels in the blood |
Även kallad | Olbetam® |
Tillgänglig som | Kapslar |
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 hyperlipidaemia. 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 hjärtattack och stroke.
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:
Om du är gravid eller ammar.
Om du har några problem med hur dina njurar fungerar.
If you have a stomach ulcer.
Om du tar eller använder några andra läkemedel. Detta inkluderar alla läkemedel du tar som finns att köpa utan recept, samt växtbaserade och komplementära läkemedel.
Om du någonsin har haft en allergisk reaktion mot en medicin.
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.
Få ut det mesta av din behandling
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) | Vad kan jag göra om jag upplever detta? |
Huvudvärk | 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 |
Indigestion | 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) | Vad kan jag göra om jag upplever detta? |
Itchy skin reactions, feeling weak, stomach pain | Om något av dessa blir besvärligt, tala med din läkare |
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
Förvara alla läkemedel utom räckhåll och synhåll för barn.
Förvara på en sval, torr plats, borta från direkt värme och ljus.
Viktig information om alla läkemedel
Viktig information om alla läkemedel
Ta aldrig mer än den föreskrivna dosen. Om du misstänker att du eller någon annan kan ha tagit en överdos av denna medicin, gå till akutmottagningen på ditt lokala sjukhus. Ta med behållaren, även om den är tom.
Denna medicin är för dig. Ge den aldrig till andra människor även om deras tillstånd verkar vara detsamma som ditt.
Om du köper några mediciner, kontrollera med en apotekare att de är säkra att ta tillsammans med dina andra mediciner.
Om du ska genomgå en operation eller tandbehandling, informera den som utför behandlingen om vilka mediciner du tar.
Behåll inte föråldrade eller oönskade mediciner. Ta dem till ditt lokala apotek som kommer att ta hand om dem åt dig.
Om du har några frågor om denna medicin, fråga din apotekare.
Rapportera biverkningar av ett läkemedel eller vaccin
Om du upplever biverkningar kan du rapportera dem online via Yellow Card webbplats.

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Kontrollera möjliga interaktioner mellan läkemedel, kosttillskott och livsmedel innan du tar dem tillsammans.
Vanliga frågor
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.
Vidare läsning och referenser
- Manufacturer's PIL, Olbetam® Capsules 250 mg; Pfizer Limited, The electronic Medicines Compendium. Dated October 2020.
- Mediciner Komplett BNF 89:e Utgåvan; Brittiska Läkarföreningen och Kungliga Farmaceutiska Sällskapet i Storbritannien, London.
Om författarenVisa fullständig biografi

Michael Stewart, MRPharmS
Ansvarig för granskning av medicinbroschyrer – Konsult, Apotekare
BPharm (Hons), MRPharmS
Michael är en apotekare som arbetar i Midlands och South Yorkshire med mer än 20 års erfarenhet av att ge råd om läkemedel och medicinska tillstånd. Han har en stark bakgrund inom vårdutbildning och har producerat och levererat utbildningskurser för apoteksteam och personal inom vårdboenden, inklusive sjuksköterskor. Han har också bidragit till apoteksrådgivande styrelser för hantering av mindre allvarliga tillstånd i samhället.
Om recensenten

Sid Dajani
Sultan Dajani tog examen vid London School of Pharmacy 1994 och blev den yngsta valda medlemmen i Royal Pharmaceutical Society-rådet sedan dess grundande 1842.
Artikelhistorik
Informationen på denna sida är skriven och granskad av kvalificerade kliniker.
Artikeln finns också på Engelska, Tyska, Spanska, Franska, Italienska, Portugisiska, Hindi, Hebreiska, Arabiska, och Svenska.
Next review due: 11 Nov 2027
12 Nov 2024 | Senaste versionen

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