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 |
| 2 | I started out taking 500 mg per day for 1 week the Dr said on the 2nd week increase the dosage to 1000mg So I did no problem at all.Now 16 months later my body starting at the back of my head all the way to me feet is burning & itching like I am having a reaction to the medication.I went to taking 500 mg without the Dr telling me for 1 week and no problem at all.So this week I started back on the 1000mg and the same problem has started again.This is why I am here reading all the comments my body is on fire.I will go back to 500mg starting tomorrow.Thanks for all the comments.I dont have Insurance or the money to see my Dr so I will play Dr myself. | F | 49 | 16 months 1000 1X day | 12/2/2011 | 2 | low hdl | burning, itching if not careful about diet. | 500 dosage no effect. 1000 dosage mild effect. 1500 dosage reverse effect. 2000 dosage reverse effect. Actually lowered my hdl on 1500 and 2000 dosage to levels worse than I have ever had. Anyone else with this effect ? | M | 55 | 16 months | 8/8/2007 | 3 | lower triglycerides & increase HDL | I take 1000 mg of Niaspan at bedtime and 81 mg of Aspirin 15 - 30 minutes before taking Niaspan. Lowered triglycerides and increased HDL. Disturbs sleep at night and feel drowsy and lightheaded during the day. | M | 47 | 14 months | 2/25/2008 | 2 | high tri | hot rash, severe itching, which became worse when scratched. bad enough to make one curse. It's 3:00 a. m. central and the itching just stopped. | I have been able to link the side effects to spicy foods and some acholic drinks, such as gin and tonic. I do take 325 mg. asprin. After reading the latest reports on niaspan, I think I am going to stop usage. | M | 68 | 14 months 500 1X day | 8/4/2011 | 5 | Plaque Regression & low HDL | Flushing- typical, a minor nusance at best. | RESPONSE TO PREVIOUS POST: "Why would anyone take this medication when there are so many others out there that can help HDL without these drastic side effects. These side effects cannot be good for other organs in the body." Answer: Because it's the only drug on the market that has been proven by the FDA to actually regress the plaque in your ateries, i.e., remove it, while boosting your HDL. (Carries LDL-rich plaque stuck to your artiers back to the liver for removal) Statins don't do this nor does any other medication! OTC (aka immeadiate release Niacin is not nearly as effective, you would have to take the equivalent of 9 grams a day, and the flushing is more severe.) They have proved this with many major studies (FATS and Arbiter 2, just to name a few) of patients who had experienced heart attacks, with ateriograms taken before treatment and after treatment with amazing results, and the best part is its all natural. So yes, miss lady...you can take a statin or fibrate to slightly raise your HDL, but what are you going to do about the unstable LDL that's already stuck to your arteries that may break off and cause a stroke, a stent perhaps?? I have been on this med for months, and yes you will turn beat red, warm and tingly for around 30 mins, but is not taking it worth years off your life? You would be surprised how many doctors are truly not 'up to snuff' on disease state knowledge and effective prescribing, so choose wisely! | F | 29 | 13 months | 4/4/2009 | 5 | high cholesterol | first week burning in legs now maybee a little dizzy | M | 45 | 11 months 500mg 1X day | 7/16/2010 | 4 | low HDL high LDL High Triglycerides | The first time I tried to take it, I failed due to intense flushing. I decided I just couldn't live like that. Then I heard about a way to take it that almost totally does away with the flushing and it is good for you. It sounded too good to be true but it wasn't. I called my doc and asked for another script and told him what I planned to try. He said he had never heard of it but it wouldn't hurt to try. I take 500mg Vit C with each 500 Niaspan, in the morning and again at night. I only take 1000 mg a day of Niaspan. It works great. I hardly ever flush but if I do have a little, I just take more C and it goes away. I use regular Vit C but Ester C works too. Ya'll try it and let me know if it works for you. I am very interested to see your responses. | F | 59 | 11 months | 12/18/2009 | 4 | triglycerides over 500 & low HDL | Doctors won't tell you this because most of them don't know but if you take the Niaspan with equal amounts of Vitamin C, you won't get the flushing. I take 500 MG of Niaspan with 500 MG Vit. C morning and night. I flushed like crazy the first time I tried Niaspan therapy and eventually discontinued it. Years later someone told me about the Vit. C and I tried it again and believe me when I say it works. I have been on it since Jan. 09 with very little flushing. If I get a little, I just take some extra "C" and it goes away. Try it for yourself. | F | 58 | 11 months | 12/17/2009 | 5 | carotid 50% blocked up to 69%. | On Thanksgiving day I had a slice of pecan pie and a big slice of cheesecake for dessert. That night I had intense flushing. This was the first time after several months for the bad flushing. Next day lots of leftovers and no sugar. Took 3 500mg niaspan and no flushing. Am up to 2g now and no sugar, no flush. | For me it was the sugar. I take the niaspan with a glass of skim milk. | M | 77 | 10 months | 12/5/2009 | 5 | I have had no side effects. I take 1000mg daily. | F | 51 | 10 months | 10/29/2008 | 4 | Flushing was not a big problem and subsided after time. I developed pain between left leg and in left testicle which may be due to varicose veins in the area. Stopped Niaspan for a few days and pain was much less. Taking 1000 mg and will see doctor soon to see about lowering dosage. | M | 60 | 10 months | 12/18/2007 | 4 | cholesterol 286, high LDL, low HDL | Only had flushing after first dose of 500 mg. Intense itching and stinging sensation have diminished after about 6 months. I still wake up 2 or 3 times a week, but only suffer with extreme itching and tingling sensation perhaps twice a month. I have noticed a mild numbness in my toes. However, all my blood tests (every 8 weeks) indicate a complete turn-around in the numbers. My doctor says my cholesterol levels are those of a teenager. I only experienced a slight shortness of breath and mild tachycardia during the first month of use. | F | 63 | 10 months | 3/4/2006 | 3 | raise good cholesterol | Flushing, itching. 1st time scary, after that I know what to expect and only hits me every couple months. Currently having leg pains like my tendons are tightening right behind my knee (Back of leg). Burns and hurts. Calf muscles sore and tired most of the time. Sitting exacerbates it. | My good cholesterol (on 500MG) went from 17 to 30. Doc up'd me to 1000. If I find the leg pains is from this I am dropping the drug completely. Any one else with similar leg pains? | M | 35 | 10 months | 8/10/2007 | 3 | low HDL | Several bouts of EXTREME leg itching. Last 2 hrs. I'm not sure if the benadryl worked or if it the normal duration of the side effect. I can take the flushing whick basically subsided since I've be on this drug. My doctor just increased to 1500mg from 1000. I'm scared to fill it. I see him again tomorrow and will discuss. Some tips. Don't take on an empty stomach/ Take asprin 30 mins prior / No spicy foods/ and alcohol will increase the chance of the side effects. | Aside from side effects, this drug has DRAMATICALLY improved by very poor lipid profile. | M | 51 | 10 months | 6/12/2007 | 3 | Hign LDL and low HDL | Flushing and itching if I did not take Motrin 200mg exactly 30 min, prior to 1500mg of Niaspan. Petechiea on hands. Also, when started on Cipro edema,itching, and redness of hands and strangely butt cheeks. | M | 47 | 10 months | 5/10/2005 | 2 | to raise HDL | I have always taken an aspirin before the Niaspan, as precribed. I was on 500 mg, then raised to 1000 mg. After about 3 months at 1000 mg, however, the aspirin has stopped preventing the HORRID itching and burning of arms and legs that occurs several hours after taking the Niaspan. That happens now about one night out of seven. It is hellish! | F | 63 | 10 months | 12/19/2004 | 1 | High LDL, low HDL | I previously posted my experience some months ago. Things have now changed. When I first started taking Niaspan, I experienced extreme tingling and itching. After a few months those symptoms lessened and I could tolerate Niaspan fairly well. However, after about 10 months on this Rx I woke up about 3 hours after my regular 500 mg. dose and I felt like a house had fallen on my legs. The pain was unbearable. After a sleepless night, I discovered my back was covered in dozens of red pimples, I felt nauseous and the pain was now in my arms. I stopped taking Niaspan 4 weeks ago, but I am still experiencing the pain (not quite as severe) in my legs and arms, as well as the itching. I am waiting results of blood tests for liver profile and comprehensive metabolic panel. Doctor seemed puzzled. I'm not. I felt great before taking this awful stuff. | Ask your doctor lots of questions. My dr. downplayed my concerns about possible liver disease. He said that it was ONLY a vitamin! | F | 63 | 10 months | 4/22/2006 | 1 | Husband - LAD calcification | Not long after my husband's dosage was increased to 1000 mg, besides the burning sensation, he developed a maculopapular rash in the buttocks and perineum area with peeling skin and vesicles. | M | 50 | 10 months | 11/26/2007 | 5 | Triglycerides, cholesterol | 3 episodes of flushing during first few months on Niaspan. No such episodes in 6 months. | I have had very favorable results since starting Niaspan 500 mg last January. Triglycerides went from 633 to 119, and cholesterol improved significantly as well (279 down to 210) I did have to tweak my aspirin dosage to avoid any more flushing (I use that term loosely - more like the feeling of bursting into flames!). I now take a half of a 325mg aspirin at least 1 hour before the Niaspan. | M | 45 | 9 months | 10/7/2008 | 5 | High Triglycerides, Low HDL | Head aches, flushing, rash, itching, tingles, full body "sun burn" initially and when dose is increased. 325mg tylnol & light snack 1hr befor taking helps. After 6 months at 1000mg I occasionally (1 to 3 times per month) get all but head aches , I think that is related to spicy food. Seldomly take tylnol and snack before taking Niaspan now. | Side effects seem extreme on occasion, but bearable. Just got my blood work back, LDL up about 4 pts to 44, HDL 131 ( I think that is down a bit) and Triglycerices down from 780 a year ago to 124. I did get a spike in my fasting blood sugar that put me in the diabetic range, was put on diabetic diet and fasting sugar is down. Don't know if sugar was related to Niaspan or heredity. | M | 41 | 9 months | 12/26/2006 |