Niaspan FCT is a new "film coated tablet" version of extended- release niacin. It's designed to reduce the number of tablets that break during shipping and make the tablets easier to swallow.
One advantage of Niaspan FCT is the 500 and 1000 mg tabs now dissolve at the same rate. This means that two 500 mg tabs are now equivalent to one 1000 mg tab.
Don't expect any difference in efficacy. The total amount of drug absorbed is still the same even if the rate is slightly different.