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)

  

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

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RATING  REASONSIDE EFFECTS FOR NIASPANCOMMENTSSEXAGEDURATION/
DOSAGE
DATE ADDED
 
 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
 5  chlosterol Flushing F 73 1 days
1000mg
7/20/2015
 4  cholesterol control Radical flushing/burning feeling. The radical flushing that one would experience taking this medication was effectively controlled by taking an 81mg asprin 30 minutes before bedtime, then taking the 4 Niaspan caps with two cups of apple sauce. Usually I am not aware of any flushing effects as I sleep. Occasionaly, I will feel the effect upon waking in the night and rarely upon awaking the next morning. Chocolate and some candy's eaten at bedtime will negate the buffering effect of the apple sauce. These foods also seem to amplify the flushing effect. I would seriously avoid chocolate after taking Niaspan. My cholesterol numbers continue to improve with each 6 month lab test. After receiving a quad bypass at 50, my heart disease was described as "quite serious". Niaspan, along with lovastatin and carvediol have become my daily regimine, and I am having little or no negitive side effects from these drugs in combination. M 53 3 years
2000
10/30/2014
 5  Elevated Lpa levels Light flushing, nausea My Dr prescribed Niaspan and monitored it with me over a year, beginning with 500 mg and every 6 weeks increasing the dosage to 750 mg, 1000 mg, 1250 mg, 1500 mg and then finally 2000 mg. This monitoring allowed my body to adjust to the different strengths. However, my Dr. has now said to stop taking Naispan as studies have recently shown that it is not proven to be as effective as they first thought. Has anyone else heard this? Should I stop all at once or do I need to wean myself from it? F 66 5 years
1000 MG 2X day
10/27/2014
Email
 1  High Cholesterol,cannot takeStatins I took Niacin ER 2000 mg.for 3 yrs. I expected the occasional flushing and rash on my face. During this time I became very anxious and unable to deal with stress. I was put on two antidepressants. I started with reflux, nausea,inability to eat without coughing and spitting up, severe weakness so much that I felt a "sinking" feeling and would have to go to bed for an hour several times a day. I attributed the nausea etc. to GI problems. On three occasions during the three years I thought all this was possibly the flu or stress. Three weeks ago my face began to swell. I looked like I had gained 20 pounds. My weight remained the same. I had blisters on my tongue and sores in my mouth( attributed by my GI MD and Dentist to stress)My tongue felt like it was on fire. I called my Primary care doctor and he said to stop the Niacin immediately and take ASA and Benadryl.I started to look up the side effects of Niacin on medical sites and blogs. All of my symptoms were there. Within one week after stopping the Niacin All of my symptoms disappeared including GI symptoms. I no longer need my acid reducing prescription. I have much more energy. My husband says I am a different person. It has now been three weeks since I quit. I can exercise now and I will gradually start to discontinue my antidepressants. I wish I had known of All the side effects. I urge you all to Refuse to take Niacin! I have begun a natural treatment of 1 Tablespoon of Organic Virgin Coconut Oil twice a da F 73 1 years
2000 mg ER
10/3/2014
Email
 1  High Cholesterol,cannot takeStatins I took Niacin ER 2000 mg.for 3 yrs. I expected the occasional flushing and rash on my face. During this time I became very anxious and unable to deal with stress. I was put on two antidepressants. I started with reflux, nausea,inability to eat without coughing and spitting up, severe weakness so much that I felt a "sinking" feeling and would have to go to bed for an hour several times a day. I attributed the nausea etc. to GI problems. On three occasions during the three years I thought all this was possibly the flu or stress. Three weeks ago my face began to swell. I looked like I had gained 20 pounds. My weight remained the same. I had blisters on my tongue and sores in my mouth( attributed by my GI MD and Dentist to stress)My tongue felt like it was on fire. I called my Primary care doctor and he said to stop the Niacin immediately and take ASA and Benadryl.I started to look up the side effects of Niacin on medical sites and blogs. All of my symptoms were there. Within one week after stopping the Niacin All of my symptoms disappeared including GI symptoms. I no longer need my acid reducing prescription. I have much more energy. My husband says I am a different person. It has now been three weeks since I quit. I can exercise now and I will gradually start to discontinue my antidepressants. I wish I had known of All the side effects. I urge you all to Refuse to take Niacin! I have begun a natural treatment of 1 Tablespoon of Organic Virgin Coconut Oil twice a da F 73 1 years
2000 mg ER
10/1/2014
 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
 1  high triglycerides Waking up with extreme flushing, burning, and itching. M 61 1 days
2000 mg
5/8/2014
Email
 1  High cholesterol and LDL Was doing fine taking Niaspan at night 30 minutes after an aspirin, didn't have any flushing or side effects at all. Then suddenly after 3 weeks woke up with a horribly itchy, red rash all over my body and persistent shortness of breath. Called my cardiologist that same morning and was told to stop taking it immediately because I was having an allergic reaction and not a side effect. It took almost a week and a lot of Prednisone and Hydroxyzine for the rash, intense itching, and shortness of breath to completely go away. F 45 3 weeks
500mg
5/3/2014
 1  for high cholesterol Bone loss in my jaw F 33 2 days
1500
4/13/2014
Email
 1  Lower triglycerides Red itchy rash on upper chest F 50 3 weeks
4/7/2014
 1  High LDL cholesterol hair loss, including eyebrows and mustache and body hair, possibly premature hair color change to white. It did lower my LDL cholesterol a little, but not enough, so my doctor put me on pravastatin in addition to niaspan, and the hair loss didn't begin until after I had been on pravastatin for two months M 49 9 months
1000 mg 1X day
1/31/2014
Email
 1  high triglycerides Few episodes of flushing but was ok. 3 months in woke up on fire! Got up out of bed and woke up on the other end of the house by ems. Cracked head. Terrible stuff. M 41 3 months
500
12/8/2013
 5  to help lower chloresterol In the beginning flushes. Take before and was able to sleep through it most times. I've been off of it for a month and am feeling I'll. Are there side effects to going off this drug F 68 1 years
500 mg
10/2/2013
Email
 1  Don't know why, Lipitor was fine My GP took me off Niaspan because my liver levels were increasing. Pain in my right leg from my hip down to my ankle every morning when I woke up. Flushing I could put up with. But liver levels are more important The Cardiologist I was and repeat was going to put me on 2 medications Niaspan and Maltaq for my heart. Both medications almost did me in. Always read the side effects. If they don't sound good to you tell your doctor. If he doesn't agree with you find another doctor who will listen and not just take samples. M 70 3 years
1X day
7/27/2013
Email
 5  raise hdl's had the itching and burning skin, but it has passed ny splitung the doses to one in the morning and one at bed after a couple of month's it improved my hdl level's significantly M 44 2 years
500 2X day
6/14/2013
Email
 2  high cholesterol Insomnia, hot flashes, leg pain, swelling in hands and ankles, swelling of face. This lowered my "bad" cholesterol 25 pts in two months, but not worth the side effects. Have discontinued. F 54 2 months
500mg 1X day
2/14/2013
 5  High triglycerides None, rare occasion of flushing , tolerable, even feels goodwen out in 16 degrees below zero M 59 16 days
3000 mg 1X day
2/2/2013
Email
 1  cholestrol extreme burning all over woke up 2am on fire broke out in sweat passed out hit face on hard wood floor.Woke up 45 mins later bleeding and face busted.another trip to doc took me off meds still feel like crap M 52 45 days
500 1X day
1/2/2013
 5  High LDL Took me a few months to get used to the drug at 500 mg. Rich foods in evening resulted in upset stomach. Flushing was noticeable with some daytime itchiness. After a few months, it passes. I sleep like a kitten when I take Niaspan. I am not on any other drugs except occasional antihistamine in the a.m. The drug works! F 60 3 years
1000 1X day
12/20/2012
Email
  

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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