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 Date added. 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 | high LD levels | The hot flashes and all I expected. Similar to over the counter flush niacin. What I did not expect was that my blood pressure, which is already low, would drop drastically to the point that it was 80/56. Then it will swing with my pulse racing. I will 1/2 it through the weekend and see what happens. I only assume these reactions are from the Niaspan after reading this website and knowing that I have felt lousy for two weeks. | F | 53 | 15 days 500 mg 1X day | 7/30/2010 | 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 | 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 | 1 | Very high triglycerides over 2000 | Started having muscle pain in my back. Everyday for the next week pain got worse. Massage,advil, pain meds, heat,ice, pillows- nothing helped. Pain kept getting worse and I couldn't sleep. I've had muscle pain with statins and other drugs for triglycerides before. My wife checked the side effect page and I quit immediately. PAin is subsiding. | Never had any other symptoms listed except itchy back | M | 48 | 14 days 30 mg 1X day | 7/29/2010 | 1 | chlosterol | I WOKE UP ONE MORNING, BENT OVER UNABLE TO STRAIGHTEN UP. EXCRUATING PAIN IN MY BUTTOCK, THIGHS, LEGS, FRONT AND BACK, LOWER BACK, I HOBBLED INTO MY KITCHEN,SAT DOWN. UNABLE TO MOVE FOR TWO HOURS. PAIN HAS SUBSIDED SOMEWHAT BUT DAILY MY BODY ACHES THAT I AM UNABLE TO DO MY WORK AND WALK ANY LENGTH. I STOPPED NIASPAN IMMEDIATELY. THAT PRODUCT SHOULD BE TAKEN OFF THE MARKET AND THE FDA SHOULD LOOK INTO IT. | F | 87 | 60 days 1X day | 7/28/2010 | 1 | low hdl | burning,tingling,shaky inside,fatigued | F | 57 | 30 days 500 1X day | 7/27/2010 | 2 | To increase good cholesterol | gained 15 lbs, have had burning sensations, i was crying in pain bc i felt as though i was on fire, i have had hot flashes, broken out in hives, increased heart rate and adrenile at times, other times i feel light headed as though i am going to pass out, sleeping a lot and it never seems enough, i hate not being able to eat spicy food or hot food with the medicine, (it causes more hot flashes if u do) | i only take this at night, i found that taking this in the morning made the day unbarrable. when i did break out in those hot burning flashes, i took benedril. that helpped me a lot. within 10 minutes it was over. | F | 22 | 3 months 500-1000 1X day | 7/21/2010 | 2 | to help good readings | Face burning, arms/back uncomfortable tingling and now feeling hot when my wife said it is cool in the house,Face and body turning red. :( | Was taking at night, woke up with face on fire. Nothing helped, cold compresses only time. Told Doctor switched to noon taking medicine 4 hours after Colestid. Still had symptoms. Taking 81 mg asprin seems to help but 20 minutes after taking at noon I can feel symptoms coming back but not as severe. Getting into pool seems to agrivate symptoms, not help. Waiting for symptoms to decrease. Why does a Doctor increase doseage. Believe me, this is as high as I am going o take. Haven't had blood work yet aftyer quiting first time. What happens if you discontinue drug after being on it after a while? I'm game to try. Chicken with all the surgeries. | M | 73 | 30 days 500mg 1X day | 7/17/2010 | 1 | colstoral | Took this drug one time as it cause extreme tingling, heat and finally passed out twice, with paramedic saying heart rate dropped so badly I was taken to the hospital where I spent 3 days recovering from the side effects of this drug. | I may have been the rare exception but the affect it had on me was so bad, I would never recommend anyone to take it on the outside chance you too, will end up in the hosptial. | M | 64 | 1 days 30 1X day | 7/17/2010 | 5 | high cholesterol | first week burning in legs now maybee a little dizzy | M | 45 | 11 months 500mg 1X day | 7/16/2010 | 1 | High cholesterol | On 10th day of taking with no side effects, lower back began hurting, then almost fainted several times, lightheaded, severe nausea, diarrhea, hot flashes, heart palpatations with accelerated heart rate, fatigue, weakness, acid reflux, anxiety. Had to leave my job. Took 6-8 hours to subside enough to sleep. Blood sugar had elevated to 173 (I do not have diabetes). | It has been six days since stopping niacin and I am still experiencing lightheadedness, heart palpatations, weakness, nausea, headaches. Ended up in ER on fifth day due to extreme weakness and other sypmtoms. Reassured it was not my heart. This medicine is horrible!! After reading some of these, I worry if the symptoms will ever go away. I have already had to be off work 3 1/2 days and I never miss work. I am sorry I ever tried this drug. | F | 57 | 10 days 500 mg 1X day | 7/14/2010 | 3 | To increase good cholesterol | I have experienced insomnia for about the last two years and did not attribute it to the Niaspan, but I am beginning to see a trend on here... I flush occasionally, especially if I eat ice cream or something high in fat, which I try not to do close to bedtime because of the Niaspan, so I am going to def try the apple/applesauce thing...I am also going to try cutting the dosage in half and taking 500 in the morning and 500 at night to see if it helps with my sleep and the flushing! | F | 40 | 2.5 years 1000 1X day | 7/13/2010 | 5 | High triglycerides | I was started out at 500 mg/day and my doctor told me to take an 81 mg aspirin about half an hour before taking the Niaspan, in conjunction with my last meal of the day. I experienced intense flushing each day for 2 - 3 weeks, then the flushing lessened. After 6 months I increased to 1000 mg/day, another 6 months to 1500 mg/day and now 2000 mg/day for 6 months. With each increase I experienced more flushing again for a couple weeks. When I went to 2000 mg I increased to 2 81 mg aspirin. If I miss a day or 2, I have more severe flushing but for the most part have very little reaction any more. I have found that taking the 2 aspirin before dinner and the Niaspan about an hour after the aspirin, the side effects are mildest. | After 10+ years of trying various medications, and combinations thereof, my triglycerides and HDL are at normal levels!! With a lesser dosage, my 40 year old son, who has also experienced flushing, has had a positive outcome with Niaspan as well. | F | 67 | 2 years 2000 mg 1X day | 7/12/2010 | 3 | High Cholesterol | I was advised to eat a little applesauce with this pill and make sure to take it before bed to avoid the "flushing". One night I took it too early....about 2 hours before bed. I started doing things around the house and my skin turned bright red all over and the burning was SO intense I almost called 911. I quickly ate a little more applesauce and took a cool shower. Went right to bed afterwards. You definitely need to eat some applesauce or slices of apple with it and then go to bed. I think moving around after the dose can bring on the flushing. I havent had any more issues but am curious as to how much it's actually helping. Will find out soon. | F | 50 | 30 days 500mg 1X day | 7/12/2010 | 1 | low HDL ; high particle count | EXTREME BURNING SENSATION OF SKIN; RAPID HEARTRATE; DIZZINESS, CHILLS AND WEAKNESS | HAVE BEEN TAKING ABOUT 8 DAYS WITH NO PROBLEMS. DID COINCIDENTALLY HAVE BROWNIES BEFORE BED. TOOK AT 9 AND WOKE AT 11:30 FEELING LIKE I WAS ON FIRE! BRIGHT RED ALL OVER, BY THE TIME I REACHED THE BATHROOOM NAUSEA AND DIZZINESS BEGAN. TRIED COLD CLOTHES ETC- NO HELP. FINALLY PUT FAN ON HIGH AND LAID UNDER TO RELAX AND STARTED TO SUBSIDE. WOULD RATHER RUN A MARATHON A DAY TO RAISE HDL THAN TO WAKE UP TO THAT AGAIN. NEVER TAKING THIS AGAIN | F | 34 | 8 days 500 1X day | 7/12/2010 | 1 | cholesterol | heat flash, tingling, itching | this stuff is available over the counter | M | 46 | 2 days 15 mg 2X day | 7/10/2010 | 1 | Plaque, coronary artery blockage | The usual (flushing, itching), AND on the 4th night I passed out cold, followed by incapacitating weakness for 3/4 hour, then violent shivering. Gray stools for one week !! | Too dangerous for me to take. | F | 66 | 4 days 500 1X day | 7/7/2010 | 4 | Triglycerides | Experienced the standard side affects of flushing, itching, on-fire, etc., but my doctor informed to take 4 aspirin, 30 minutes before the Niaspan @ bedtime. First couple of weeks I felt the the side affects but not so servere that I couldn't sleep. I'm now taking the Niaspan with 1, 81mgs. of aspirin with no problems. Haven't gotten new blood work yet to see if it's helping. Keeping my fingers crossed! | I think it's helpful if people try the aspirin regimen (as long as you can take aspirin!). Bring it up with your doctor and Pharmisit (they can be very helpful!). | M | 51 | 2 months 500 mgs 1X day | 7/6/2010 | 1 | high cholesterol | the longer i took it the worse my flushing became. at least 3 time a week. took 6-8 benadrylin less than an hour to get releif. i put the niaspan in the medicine cabinet and told my dr i will not take it again. life is too short and i refuse to be in misery. i am 66 yrs old and my quality of life is not that good as i am disabled and have been for 15 yrs. i just dont think taking 6-8 benadryl in less than an hour is in my best interest. | not for me | F | 66 | 2 years 500 1X day | 7/6/2010 | 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 |