Nicotinic acid (CAS 59-67-6) is the only hypolipidemic agent whose activity has been shown both on atherosclerotic lesions and on long term mortality. Unfortunately, its use is hindered by the frequent occurrence ( > 70%) of adverse reactions (i.e. cutaneous rash, pruritus and, most significantly, flush). New prodrugs of nicotinic acid have been prepared by the use of diacylglycerol esters. In the rat, after acute oral administration of these products, a significant decrease of the free fatty acid plasma levels was obtained without the dramatic increase in nicotinic acid plasma levels observed after the oral administration of an equimolecular dose of nicotinic acid. The most interesting ester, S 16961 ((d,l)-1,2-dipalmitoyl-3-nicotinoyl glycerol, CAS 160555-46-4) is undergoing clinical trials.