Effects of crystalline nicotinic acid-induced hepatic dysfunction on serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and lecithin cholesteryl acyl transferase.

Marked lowering of plasma total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels that occur during treatment of dyslipidemia with pharmacologic doses of nicotinic acid result from hepatotoxicity. Therefore, a marked reduction in low-density lipoprotein may suggest generalized liver toxicity and drug treatment should be discontinued.