NIASPAN Reviews (NIACIN)Average Rating: 2.7 (694 Ratings)Filter ResultsCompare NIASPAN with similar:
Type: Rx Drug
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Results are sorted by Gender males first. Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.) Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 |
More on NIASPAN: Reviews Summary | Drug Safety Information
| RATING | REASON | SIDE EFFECTS FOR NIASPAN | COMMENTS | SEX | AGE | DURATION/ DOSAGE | DATE ADDED |
| 5 | Tryglycerides low hdl high ldl | Flushing but not every time. Sometimes it's worse but by now I know what to expect. | I had been on various statins for years, after some time developed muscle cramp with each one. Had to quit jogging due to the cramps. Quit taking statins, felt much better but Doctor unhappy. Spring of 2009 tried 1500 mg of Niaspan. Twice a day 750mg. Had stomach problems and quit taking it. Tried Crestor 5mg, ldl good, hdl 30, Tryglycerides high. Fall of 2009 decided to try Niacin again and split 750 mg. Now I take about 375 mg after lunch with some other meds, including 81mg of Aspirin. My second dose after dinner. I have a reaction 2-4 hours later, but not every time and with a different intensity. It is something I can live with. With this dose I don't have much of a stomach problem. My last blood test in December 2009 was excellent. Tryglycerides went way down to 114, ldl great at 93, hdl went from 30 to 44. I work out almost every day, but my hdl was 30 before Niacin. I do take Crestor 5mg maybe twice a week. Intend to drop Crestor and see how the ldl will be. Sofar I am happy with the results of Niacin. Will try as some suggested to take vitamin C before taking Niacin | M | 66 | 180 days | 1/26/2010 | 5 | High Triglycerides | When I first started taking this drug 4 weeks ago I had heavy flushing and my legs itched like CRAZY> I am now to the point were it happens very little. I get the flushing still , but I have found it seems like after I eat a meal in a rest. later its getting rid of all the crap from it. My energy level has gone up ten fold and my depression is completely gone. This drug has helped with ED problems caused by other meds I take. I will take this drug as long as my doc will let me and it works it has changed my life for the good | I hope everyone could have the results I have had . My Tryg;s are in half now. wonderful | M | 42 | 5 weeks | 2/1/2010 | 5 | hypertrigliceridemia | I get tingly and a flush often, about two to three times a month, but then I take an ibuprofen 200mg tab and it is gone within an hour. | It has done wonders to my very high triglycerides (from 700 to 200). | M | 63 | 10 years 500mg 1X day | 2/16/2010 | 5 | Low HDL | Flushing. | I must be the only one that actually enjoys the flushing. | M | 42 | 3 months 2000 mg 1X day | 2/24/2010 | 5 | The regular reasons | I need to post something important. I have been taking the big bright orange Niaspan pills for years now with minimun flushing when taken with asprin. The last couple months my perscription has been re-filled and the pill is now a light orange color and has an "A" on them. I just figured this was a generic. Ever since I have been on the light orange pills I have been to ER twice with rapid heart beat, chest pain, and shortness in breath. It was freaking me out because each time they said I was fine...EKG,Blood pressure etc. So I figued it must be this new pill...sure enough I stopped taking the light orange pills and everything with in 24 hours stopped. I am seeing my Doctor next week. I have a feeling this light orange pill is a boot leg product from China that has some how got in the system. I got this at Walgreens in Miami. I am having the pills analyzed now. If you get this light orange pill given to you as Niaspan instead of the bright orange pill do not accept these. | M | 60 | 5 years 2000 daily 1X day | 3/5/2010 | 5 | hyperlipidemia | occasional fliushing | M | 76 | 10 years 2000 1X day | 3/20/2010 | 5 | High cholesterol | Tingly "itchies" all over; sometimes very painful for about 1-2 hours right after I wake up. (I take the Niaspan before I go to sleep.) I have linked this to chocolate. If I have too much, e.g. good dark chocolate or brownies or just about any other chocolate, I get it. So, if I decide to indulge, I skip the Niaspan - not often, but sometimes I just have to. | Great for lowering my cholesterol. | M | 62 | 5 years 1500 mg 1X day | 5/4/2010 | 5 | carotic blockage | flushing severe only 1 time mild flush often | Along with 5 mg of crestor, I took 500 mg of niaspan for a few months but when the arbiter 6-halts results came out I titrated up rapidly by taking 500 at night and 500 upon getting up, then 1000 at night and 1000 in the am then 1500 at night and 1000 in the am with only one episode of strong flushing. This took about a month. My total cholesterol went from 230 to 112. My hdl from 40 to 56, triglicerides from 180 to 110. ldl from 150 to 32. I heard later that I was lucky as I don't flush easily and that the reason for taking it all at night is to give your liver some rest time. The previous slo- niacin acted for almost 24 hours and the liver didn't have time to recuperate which led a significant number of people into liver damage. Now I take all 2500mg at night. Because hdl has a half-life of 5 days and ldl a half life of 2.5 days, when i occasionally party and drink up to a bottle of wine, I skip the niaspan that night, but try to not do so 2 days in a row. Also I don't take my ibuprofen (arthritis) while the niaspan is most active, there might be a tylenol/alcohol type problem. | M | 78 | 1 years 2500 1X day | 5/31/2010 | 5 | to increase HDL | Flushing for about 30 minutes however not severe. | With a combination of 40 MG Lipitor and 1000 MG of Niaspan my total cholesterol is in the 80-90 range. | M | 68 | 4 years 1000 MG 1X day | 6/28/2010 | 5 | high cholesterol | first week burning in legs now maybee a little dizzy | M | 45 | 11 months 500mg 1X day | 7/16/2010 | 5 | To lower TG and LDL, increase HDL | I take 2X500mg Niaspan at night along with 750mg of Aspirin. I thought I was getting used to being the "Human Torch" (as one user described himself below) twice a week for the last 8 years!! Not last night. Made me wonder whether all the good the med has done for me outweighs the side-effects. Usually my so-called HOT FLASHES last about an hour, but last night it lasted for 3 hours - no change in my daily regimen (except watching Angelina Jolie kick butt in Salt)- and it was THE WORST I had ever felt since starting the med. Almost all of the side-effects described below, except the pain and stiffness that some users commented about; nearly passed out due to the extreme heat and itchiness. Got to find a sub for this med, I can't take it anymore, and I do have a very high threshold of physical pain and suffering. Maybe we should try this med on this terror suspects at GITMO; bound to get them to talk!!! | DID lower my TG by more than 60%, lowered my LDL by about 25% (didn't have a high number to start with), but increased my HDL only slightly. BTW, some of the male respondents may be hiding the fact that this med DID help them in the "bedroom". Guys - fess up, this med is a cheap and low-risk alternative to some well known ED meds we see advertised!!! | M | 51 | 8 years 1000 1X day | 7/29/2010 | 5 | High triglycerides, To raise HDL | Slight flushing at first. I knew what so expect, so it was no big deal. You have to do your research. | Niaspan has done amazing things for me! I've been taking Lipitor 10mg for over a decade and added Niaspan a few months ago. My triglycerides went from 435 before the Niaspan, to 56 on my last blood work. I've never been able to get my HDL above 43, but it is now 54. LDL went from 109 to 62. Total Cholesterol went from a high of 222 on just Lipitor, to 127 after Niaspan was added. Some folks may not tolerate it well, but Niaspan has changed my numbers considerably. The only downside so far is that it seems to raise blood sugar somewhat. | M | 54 | 7 months 1000mg 1X day | 7/29/2010 | 5 | raise HDL | some cramping in legs | Raised my HDL from 40 to 58 | M | 77 | 6 months 750 1X day | 8/11/2010 | 5 | High LP(a) | Flushing commences 1 hour after taking. Not a problem. Occasionally I get a major itching attack 3-5 hours after taking. It lasts 30-60 minutes during which I cannot do anything but scratch all over my body - not fun. It seems to be worse if I eat a late dinner or a snack before bed. I therefore take Niaspan on an empty stomach, contrary to advice. | I am very satisfied with Niaspan: the occasional mad attack of itching is worth the benefits as LP(a) is very bad and difficult to reduce. I haven't yet tried the suggestions on the site (apple/pectin, Vitamin C, cold water), but I definitely find an empty stomach helps. I'd be interested if anyone knows why you are advised against this. | M | 50 | 5 years 1000mg 1X day | 8/15/2010 | 5 | Cholesterol LDL was 700 | on occasion I do experience the Burning sensation or Skin on fire that people describe. I consider this a small price to pay to lower my colesterol and keep it down as it has done for the six years I've taken Niaspan.. | It seems to me the negative comments are more from people not warned about the burning sensation some people experience.. I have only had this happen a few times over six years but can attest to the fact it is uncomfortable. But so are the concerns over Blocked arties and heart attacks. This drug works.I consider the burning a sign its working and enjoy every minute of the sensation.. Burn baby Burn TOTAL Colesterol now barely over 100 | M | 65 | 6 years 1000 2X day | 11/18/2010 | 5 | High triglycerides | Occassionally awakened to heart pounding and ichy, burning feeling of my skin of my face, forehead, arms, groin, and legs. Usually ~2-3 hours after falling asleep. Never associated the symptoms with the Rx. Each time it occurred, I had eaten some chocolate during the night-time. Thought it was reaction (a punishment for being so stupid?)to the chocolate. Shower didn't help. Took 2 ibuprophen and rubbed a 'skin calming cream' whereever ichy, burning was occurring. That helped! | My triglycerydes were 395. Total cholesterol was 294. Taking Lipotor (20 mg) as well. Combo had worked! Trig. now down to 165! and total cholesterol 153! | M | 65 | 4 years 500 mg. 1X day | 12/1/2010 | 5 | low HDL | none | doubled HDL level | M | 71 | 3 months 2000 mg 1X day | 12/3/2010 | 5 | Bad lipid numbers | flushing, itching- the usual. | I think everyone over 40 should take niacin, unless you're a strict vegetarian or the side effects are too great to overcome. Persistence, folks!! Lots of babies who give up quite easily because it's "too hard". Brought my ldl from 175 to 105. Lpa from 33 to 5 Hdl up 20%. I take 2 gms slo-niacin (same thing) at bedtime. I feel only minor flushing occasionally. | M | 45 | 1 years 2 grams 1X day | 12/23/2010 | 5 | High Cholesterol | Initially had mild itching for about 20 min. Cardiologist prescribed 325 mg. Aspirin 1 Hour before taking Niaspan. (81mg of Aspirin is too low of a dose). And then take 1 serving size of Applesauce (3.5oz.)with the pill, at bedtime. The Pectin in Applesauce helps reduce the itching affect. | If you can handle the side effects for about the first week or so. Then I believe it's working | M | 50 | 4 months 1000mg 1X day | 12/24/2010 | 5 | High Cholesterol | Occasional itchy skin. | It is working well - decreasing my LDL and increasing my HDL. | M | 51 | 6 months 2000mg 1X day | 3/5/2011 |
NIASPAN (NIACIN): Niacin is used with a proper diet and exercise program to help lower "bad" cholesterol and fats (LDL, triglycerides) and raise "good" cholesterol (HDL) in the blood. It is generally used after non-drug treatments have not been fully successful at lowering cholesterol. Niacin is also known as vitamin B-3 (nicotinic acid), one of the B-complex vitamins. It may be used with or without other medications. Lowering "bad" cholesterol/triglycerides and raising "good" cholesterol helps prevent strokes and heart attacks. Lowering fats may also help reduce the risk of pancreas problems (pancreatitis) in people at risk. In addition to eating a proper diet (such as a low-cholesterol/low-fat diet), other lifestyle changes that may help this medication work better include exercising, losing weight if overweight, and stopping smoking. Consult your doctor for more details. FDA Approval Date: 1997-07-28 (Sources: U.S. Centers for Medicare Services, FDA)