What should a nurse monitor in a patient taking niacin for hyperlipidemia?

When a patient is taking niacin for hyperlipidemia, monitoring liver enzymes is crucial due to niacin's potential hepatotoxic effects. Niacin, especially at higher doses, can lead to liver damage, indicated by elevated levels of liver enzymes such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Regular monitoring of these enzymes can help prevent serious complications by allowing for timely intervention if liver function is compromised.

While other factors—such as skin rash, blood glucose levels, and kidney function—are also relevant to monitor during niacin therapy, the direct relationship of niacin to liver function makes liver enzyme monitoring particularly important in the clinical setting. Abnormal liver enzyme levels can signal that the patient may be experiencing adverse effects from the medication, necessitating a reevaluation of the treatment plan.