NIASPAN Reviews (NIACIN)

Average Rating: 2.7 (694 Ratings)

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 HYPERLIPIDEMIA

 Type: Rx Drug

  

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)

  

Results are sorted by length of time drug was taken from shortest to longest duration (reviews with no time reported listed first).

Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.)
5=HIGH (this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal.)

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


RATING  REASONSIDE EFFECTS FOR NIASPANCOMMENTSSEXAGEDURATION/
DOSAGE
DATE ADDED
 
 5  I Had cholesterol at 240. Yes, I occasionally get that flushing sensation which scared the daylights out of me at first....thought I was having a stroke. When taken with food in the morning and with dinner at night, I rarely get flushed. But at least I realize that it is a side effect of the drug and will pass soon. My cholesterol has dropped from 240 to between 165 and 180. I am a regular blood donor so I get a reading every couple of months when I donate. I'm thrilled with the results, especially not having to take a statin. I exersize, maintain my weight and try to eat well. I think that flushing is a small price to pay for a drug that is basically made up of B vitamins. My husband has been taking Niacin in his vitamins for years and has amazing readings. F 56
5/10/2008
 4  HIGH Tri's Have had some mild gastro effects (gas/ constipation) slight irritatability and sleepiness problems (get sleepy at my desk in the afternoon). Had one mild flushing episode due to not following the directions for taking the dose (had a whiskey after dinner). I notice that most people complaining are not honest about following directions. One guy admitted that he ate chili for dinner. The instructions tell you to stay away from spicy foods. My doctor recommeded a handful of Triscuits, a cup of yougurt and the asprin to slow the absorption of the drug and limit the side effects. WORKS GREAT!!!!! M 41
3/21/2008
 4  
12/28/2008
 4  Low HDL Had flushing 1x...Forgot to take advil before I took pills. I did wake up on fire. Next night I was okay. Since that one time I haven't had a problem M 35
5/6/2008
 4  High LDL Low HDL I was started on Niaspan and Crestor about five months ago after eight years on Lipitor. My numbers are now excellent. For the first four and a half months I had no side effects at all but for the last week or so I have been experiencing flushing about 20 minutes after taking Niaspan. It lasts for about an hour or so then decreases but I have also noticed a mild itching of my entire body that seems to last most of the day. I thought the side effects were supposed to decrease over time but mine seem to be getting worse as time goes on. M 54
500mg 1X day
8/6/2010
Email
 4   Flushing. Take a low dose asprin or a chew a couple of baby asprin with your dose to moderate the flushing effect. Take a low dose asprin or a chew a couple of baby asprin with your dose to moderate the flushing effect. M 51
1X day
11/28/2010
 4  Low HDL I was miserable the first time I took this medication. I'm on 500 mg. My brother is a cardiologist and he told me take baby asprin 30 minutes before taking Niaspan. He also told me to take it in the afternoon or evening, rather than at bedtime. I have only had one flushing incident since and feel okay. F 38
3/26/2007
 4  to lower triglycerides & raise HDL Have figured out how to live with this drug, which I've been on for 2 months. For me, I have to take it after eating dinner. If I take it then I can tolerate it and don't wake up with the burning sensations or racing heart. I have to time it so that if I'm going to the gym I do so before taking the Niaspan. F 52
9/6/2008
 3  low HDL Woke me up out of a dead sleep with burning, stinging and rapid heart rate. After it subsided I went to the restroom and almost passed out. Taking with a baby asprin at night. I hope this raises my HDL because I feel miserable so far. F 38
3/1/2007
 3  low hdl VERY low blood pressure 75/35, may not be all bad now i don't take my blood pressure medicine anymore. just wish someone would have warned me that blood pressure medicine and niaspan can lower your blood pressure that much. M 46
7/5/2007
 2  To raise HDL Despite taking the aspirin 1/2 hour before, I still get some itching and terrible burning. I am also extremely tired, and somewhat nauseous in the mornings. Have only been on it for 4-5 days, so will stick it out a little longer. Am taking 500 mg, but I am extremely sensitive to all medications, so this level packs a wallop for me. So glad to read that others have fatigue and/or stomach reactions. Sometimes you think it's all in your head, so it's reassuring to read what others experience. F 52
10/16/2008
 2  high triglycerides horrible "flushing"--on fire all over. Terrible itching. Had to leave work one time. No sleep another. F 64
4/10/2008
 2  Cholesterol I woke up from a dead sleep with burning throughout my body like I was on fire internally. i thought I was having a stroke/Heart attack. My husband is away so i was alone with my 2 small children. i put cold clothes all over me, and went to the computer at 2;30 AM to look up and figure out what was wrong with me. Somehow found this site, and learned it was a side effect of Niaspan. Thankfully, ready to call 911 and a neighbor for my kids. Took aspirin, and waited a while, went back to bed. Never felt so scared in my life. This is my 10th day, and afraid to take again. Will talk to MD. F 41
10/26/2009
 1  Reduce Cholesterol Severe cardiac arrhythmias, resulting in bursts of palpitations accompanied by feeling of fainting, flushing and and perspiration. Took 500mg per day for thirty days, then 1000mg for about 15 days. After experiencing 4-5 cardiac arrhythmias for the first time in my life. I stopped taking the drug altogether and felt completely better in a few days. If this is the cure for prevention of heart disease, I'll take my chances without it. I'm not overweight, am highly athletic, and my Cholesterol is under 250. I went back to taking aspirin and eating more fish. M 66
1000mg 1X day
3/27/2011
 1  cardiovascular flushing, some imbalance doc had me on 500 a day for one week then 2/500 the 2nd.I took for 2 days (2nd week) and on the 3rd day had a stroke, I'm now disable. that was a year ago this past August (8/10). all this because the doc thought my good cholesterol was 5 points too low. M 59
500-1000 2X day
11/29/2011
Email
 1  High Triglycerides and high LDL-P F 39
500mg 1X day
12/24/2011
Email

Patient History
 1  High Itching hives and red rash on eyelids and cheeks so severe I stopped taking Niaspan. It took a month for the initial rash to clear up, but I now react the same way to certain cereals and anything containing Vitamin B. I take mega doses of C and daily anti-histamines but need to see an allergist. F 73
300 - 500M 1X day
8/8/2010
 1  high tri's Was just prescribed this by my MD. After reading these posts I have decided not to take it. Overall satsifaction number is 2.7 and that is horrible. Will find other ways to lower my triglycerides. All my other numbers are fine. Will find a doctor who believes meds are a last resort instead of the first choice. On the official NIASPAN website here is a key phrase: NIASPAN, with a bile acid binding resin, has not been shown to prevent heart disease, heart attacks, or stroke. M 60 0 days
1000 1X day
12/4/2010
 5  for my cholesterol When I first start taking niaspan I had real bad flashing from head to toe. I then read the pamplet n I started taking niaspan the right way n now I don't have no problems any more I am doing good now. F 47 1 days
500mg
9/1/2014
Email
 5  chlosterol Flushing F 73 1 days
1000mg
7/20/2015
  

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)

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