Which medication is commonly used to treat hyperlipidemia?

Niacin is a vitamin that is often used in pharmacological doses to treat hyperlipidemia, which is a condition characterized by elevated levels of lipids (fats) in the blood, specifically cholesterol and triglycerides. It works primarily by decreasing the production of triglycerides and increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, often referred to as "good" cholesterol. This helps lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, making niacin a valuable addition to lipid-lowering therapy.

In contrast, medications like warfarin are anticoagulants used to prevent blood clotting, while ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID used for pain relief and inflammation. Aspirin is also an NSAID that is often used to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes by inhibiting platelet aggregation but is not primarily aimed at managing lipid levels. Thus, niacin is specifically associated with hyperlipidemia treatment due to its lipid-modifying effects.