The familiar B vitamin Niacin may also help reduce triglycerides. It is virtually a heart helping medication. In clinical trials people taking nician, a B vitamin cut their total cholesterol levels by up to 10 percent. Side effects of Niacin; May make diabetes medications less effective, May interfere with the drugs of arthritis, reduce the effectiveness of painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and others, may cause liver disease when taken in high doses.