Instead, Taylor argues that adding Niaspan, a delayed release niacin made by Kos, cut heart attacks further.

FORBES: Can Good Cholesterol Cure Big Pharma?

Low levels can be treated with drugs, particularly versions of the B-vitamin niacin including Niaspan, from Abbott Laboratories.

FORBES: Magazine Article

That drug, Niaspan, took over the Niacin market and made Jaharis a billionaire even before he sold to Abbott.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Now Abbott hopes a new version of Niaspan that is supposed to cause even less flushing will juice its growth.

FORBES: Magazine Article

There was an increased rate of stroke on patients who received Niaspan, but researchers cautioned that this may be due to chance.

FORBES: HDL-Raising Drug Fails To Show Benefit In Government Study

He also said that the use of Niaspan, particularly in high risk patients, should not be immediately changed based on the current study.

FORBES: HDL-Raising Drug Fails To Show Benefit In Government Study

The news that Niaspan had failed to prevent heart procedures in a big government study last week has me thinking about cholesterol drugs a lot.

FORBES: A Snapshot Of The Cholesterol Drug Market

In the study where it helped patients lose weight, the drug also raised good cholesterol, or high-density lipoprotein (HDL), by 23%, almost as much as Niaspan, the sustained-release niacin drug made by Kos Pharmaceuticals (nasdaq: KOSP - news - people ) that is the main currently available treatment for raising HDL. Rimonabont also cut triglycerides, another risk factor for heart disease, by 16%.

FORBES: Lose Weight, Quit Smoking With One Pill