Can Niaspan (1,000 mg daily) be a cause of painful/chapped lips? Age:72+, 160 lbs., basically good health, take Cartia 180 mg daily to lower blood pressure because of an enlarged aorta, high cholestrol, exercise daily. Prior to a few weeks ago, I was only taking 500 mg of Niaspan daily which is the reeason for the query. Don Emerson