Laropiprant (INN) was a drug used in combination with nicotinic acid to reduce blood cholesterol (LDL and VLDL) that is no longer sold, due to increases in side-effects with no cardiovascular benefit.

Laropiprant itself has no cholesterol lowering effect, but it reduces facial flushes induced by nicotinic acid.

[2] Nicotinic acid in cholesterol lowering doses (500–2000 mg per day) causes facial flushes by stimulating biosynthesis of prostaglandin D2 (PGD2), especially in the skin.

[9] On January 11, 2013, Merck & Co Inc. announced they were withdrawing the drug worldwide as a result of European regulators recommendations.

[10] The Heart Protection Study 2-Treatment of HDL to Reduce the Incidence of Vascular Events (HPS2-THRIVE) involved more than 25,000 adults.