an orally administered antihyperlipidemia composition according to the present invention includes from about 250 to about 3000 parts by weight of nicotinic acid , and from about 5 to about 50 parts by weight of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose . also , a method of treating hyperlipidemia in a hyperlipidemic having a substantially periodic physiological loss of consciousness , includes the steps of forming a composition having an effective antihyperlipidemic amount of nicotinic acid and a time release sustaining amount of a swelling agent . the method also includes the step of orally administering the composition to the hyperlipidemic once per day “ nocturnally ,” that is in the evening or at night .