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 length of time drug was taken longest to shortest. 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 | 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 | hyperlipidemia | occasional fliushing | M | 76 | 10 years 2000 1X day | 3/20/2010 | 4 | high cholesterol | Initial effects of burning up, but these have lessened over the 10 years that I've been taking them. Burn up starts if I have caffeinated beverages, black pepper, curry or other spicy foods. | Every drug has side effects from minor to debilitating. I'd rather take these and suffer the initial inconvenience than have complicated atherosclerosis and end up dying young. I have suffered a strok and had keyhole heart surgery twice. I find any form of statin impossible to take due to muscle cramps. I am always tired on Niaspan but that could be my thyroid packing up. I have seen some evidence somewhere that niaspan can cause hypothyroidism, and am wondering if that has been my cause as the family seems to be clear for generations back. Maybe due to the fluoride in the water. | F | 56 | 10 years | 1/14/2009 | 4 | high cholesterol | Standard flushing in the early stages of use. My concern after taking it for ten years is possible muscle cramps, especially leg muscles. | I have taken 1000 mg twice daily. The side effects will subside and not be a concern as you continue to use it. It has helped my HDL, LDL, and Trig. really well. The addition of Zetia was fantastic with immediate results within a few weeks, but as we know Zetia had bad reports so most of us quit taking it. My concern is muscle aches. One of my friends swears he took Niaspan for just a time, couple months and it messed his back muscles up majorly. I view that as questionable. The benefit from Niaspan seems to far out weigh the concerns. Research indicates a minimum dose of 1000 mg. to make any difference. If you can do 1000 mg. You can try twice a day and examine the test results. I have read many good reports here. Agree with those who advocate the massive dose, and taking it at night. Ten hears ago I had a massive heart attack, left ventricle damage. They gave me four months at best. I have tried it all at one time or another, and here simply because of alpha blockers, bata blockers, statins, and a very positive attitude. Those who complain of a little flushing will never survive a heart attack. Flush me, flush me, if it helps me live a longer and healthier life. | M | 69 | 10 years | 3/28/2009 | 3 | High Cholesterol | Flushing | This stuff works. If you take it at night before going to sleep you sleep thru the flushing. On the other hand, I'm so tired of "drugs"...My mom had cholesterol 0f 400 and lived a long long life. My ex husband's cholesterol was 190 and he had a stroke at 54. Looking for alternatives. | F | 61 | 10 years | 1/29/2009 | 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 | 4 | I have elevated cholesterol & trig | Mild flushing | Almost everyone has flushing, but what long term effects do other patients notice? I think that drying of my skin, possible muscle atrophy, sleep disruption and fat distribution around the abdomen are possible side effects that I have seen after taking Niaspan for 8 years. But these may be normal age related changes.... | M | 64 | 8 years 2000 MG 1X day | 4/25/2010 | 1 | lower cholesterol | Not only does my husband experience the occasional hot pin pricks & flusing, but has also developed PERIODIC LEG MOVEMENT (PLM) from using this drug. We are disgusted because he went through a sleep study and the Dr.'s knew he was on this drug. No mention whatsoever that this may be the cause of the PLM. PLM is different from restless leg syndrome. | My husband has extremely painful leg cramping & uncontrolled movement approximately 1/2 hour after taking this drug. We just discovered that the 1,000 mg. of Niaspan he was taking before bed was the cause of the PLM. As soon as he can get into talk w/his cardiologist, he plans to discontiue this drug. He has been on this drug for approximately 8 years and has been going through the PLM almost the entire time. No Dr. has ever told us that Niaspan could be the cause. If anyone wants more info on PERIODIC LEG MOVEMENT in relation to taking Niaspan, please feel free to email us. | M | 57 | 8 years | 11/16/2008 | 5 | Decrease LDL, Raise HDL | Itching within 1 hour after taking med. Aspirin seems to help. | Gradually increased from 500mg to 1 g then 1.5g & finally 2 g dosage for last 6 years. Lowered cholesterol from 188 to 166. Lowered LDL from 113 to 69. Increased HDL from 51 to 86. Reduced Triglycerides from 101 to 56. Also taking 10mg Zocor. | M | 62 | 7 years | 8/13/2007 | 5 | Low HDL | Flushing initially | Great | M | 67 | 7 years | 11/8/2004 | 5 | Low HDL | Flushing which went away after time. No problem for a long time | I feel this is the best cholesterol product on the market. Raises HDL and lowers LDL and triglycerides. As far as I know it is the only product which significantly lowers Lp[a] and increases particle size. | M | 66 | 7 years | 8/14/2004 | 5 | Lower LDL & Triglycerides, Raise HD | Flushing which went away with time. | M | 66 | 6 years | 5/9/2004 | 5 | High Cholesterol/High Triglecrides | Flushing bad if I take to early or wake up within 1-2 hrs after going to bed. Sometimes tingeling all over with flushing. BUT WORTH IT TO ACHEIVE THE RESULTING NUMBERS! Taking 2000 mg/day | Lowered my triglicerides. Raised HDL and Lowered LDL...all significantly. | M | 62 | 6 years | 1/10/2005 | 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 cholesterol | Occasionally I will feel a flushing, but I know it will go away in 20 to 30 minutes, so no problem. | It really helps my cholesterol levels. I tried 3 different statins before niacin and had horrible leg pain and mood swings. I felt terrible with statins, but niacin works great. | M | 55 | 6 years 500mg 1X day | 12/1/2015 | 4 | High Cholestrol / Triglycerides | Moderate to Severe Flushing but not intolerable. | Oddly I also have thoracic spinal pain but it clears up moderately during the niacin flush providing temporary relief. | M | 43 | 6 years 750MG 1X day | 11/9/2010 | 1 | Cholestrol | Unbearable itching. | I used to take Niaspan a few years ago when it was produced with white coating. Side effect was high temperature. But I didn't mind that, since I took the medicine at bed time. I used to wake-up after midnight and felt the scorch. When the manufacturer changed the coating to pink, Niaspan started to give me unbearable itching. I complained to my Dr. who changed my prescription to Simcor which is 500 Niaspan mg and 20 mg Simvastatin. I am taking it without any side-effects. That's good news. The bad news is, Simcor is expensive ($75.00 for a bottle of 30 tablets). I don't know why the hell the manufacturer changed the coating!!! For the sake of sanity of mind I call for boycotting Niaspan and moving to Simcor, unless the manufacturer's go back to the previous formula. | M | 68 | 6 years 1000mg 1X day | 3/24/2011 | 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 | 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 | 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 |
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)