Niacin User Reviews & Ratings (Page 3)

• Jessi...
• October 15, 2009

Niaspan (niacin) for High Cholesterol "I participate in a Niaspan clinical trial and take 2000mg/day along with Zocor and Zetia. I'm 65 and have severe arteriosclerosis. This combination of drugs has made a dramatic difference in my cholesterol numbers. I find that I don't have the "flushing" (actually more like BURNING) if I take the Niaspan EVERY night and follow the asperin, applesauce and wheat crackers technique. It's rather a hassle but I think worth the trouble."

• Michael...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 22, 2017

For High Cholesterol "I started taking niacin to increase HDL and lower LDL because I suffered a heart attack a couple of years ago. It did raise my HDL and Lower the LDL a bit, but not all that much. HOWEVER, I noted an unexpected benefit. For years I would wake in the middle of night to go to the bathroom and found I was soaked in sweat. I was having disturbing dreams. They weren't terrible. Most dreams consisted of things like parking my car in a large lot and not being able to find it. Also being lost in a strange city. Or, getting a new job and not having a clue what I was doing while trying to prevent my boss from finding out how confused I was. Once I started the niacin the strange dream were gone as were the night sweats."

• lov
• August 19, 2009

Niaspan (niacin) for High Cholesterol "I started on Niaspan for 2 months 500 at night. I had no problems at all. I took an asprin 1/2 hr. before then ate a snack, cottage cheese and never had no flushing, or anything. I was to take two 500 a night. But when I checked the price at WalMart they was $15?.00 for a 30 day supply. I just bought the flush free Niacin been taking them now for a week and still no flushing, or felt no different. I have no problems so far with them. Soon as I have my blood test again I will let you know how they did for me."

• Dan
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 6, 2012

For High Cholesterol "I started taking Niacin for my high cholesterol about two years ago. I was taking 500mg at dinner every day with no noticeable side effects for about a year. I decided to increase the dosage. 1000mg at dinner time. My teeth began to bother me. I didn't make the connection at first. I never have problems with my teeth. I eventually figured out it was the Niacin. I quit taking it and my teeth quit aching. Anyway. I wanted to put this out there for others that might be having this experience. "

• Anonymous
• September 19, 2011

Niaspan (niacin) for High Cholesterol "When major diet changes and exercise hardly changed cholesterol at all I was started on 1500mg Niaspan. I do experience flushing, several times a month. Wake up hot and feel like I am burning up and itchy all over. If it delays another heart attack like 14 years ago it is a small price to pay."

• chelo...
• December 27, 2010

For High Cholesterol "I've been taking 500 mg niacin tablets twice daily (morning and night) for 5 years to treat congenitally low levels of HDL. Over that time, my HDL levels have increased from 25 to 60, and triglycerides have dropped from 150 to 60. The niacin treatment has been so successful that I have managed to drop simvastatin (Zocor) from my regimen. I still get mild flushing symptoms occasionally, but it is a small price to pay for the great results."

• Jersey
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 4, 2023

"Started taking 1 gram of niacin in the morning. The first few days, I felt "spaced out." On the fourth day, something happened to me. All at once, a sensation of immense relief, relaxation, and joy occurred. It was as if my nervous system and brain had been stuck my whole life and finally relaxed. My chronic sleep issues were instantly gone. My GI issues were corrected. Sense of smell increased, and vision became higher definition. It felt like all my cells started working in perfect harmony. Made me feel like I had been severely deficient, and it was corrected. This lasted a few days and then stopped. Everything reverted back to how it was before. All I know is that L-arginine would prolong the effect, and that IV infusion of acetylcysteine (NAC) seems to produce this same shift within me. Eventually, I'll figure this out..."

• Train...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 16, 2014

Niaspan (niacin) for High Cholesterol "Posted about a year ago here after I first started a 500 mg nightly regimen of Niaspan. For awhile it appeared as though I would not have the usual side effect of burning skin. However, the Acid reflux I began experiencing began to worsen over time along with gastric problems at night. Then as an active person who is involved in teaching Cardio Boxing classes I began to experience weird feelings in my chest along with a more pronounced heart beat during and after exercise. Felt like I swallowed a Basketball at times. Also could not have any alcohol Beer or Wine while taking this. I decided to stop taking it in fear of creating an Arrythmyia or Stroke during my exercise which also is my Job. This is day one off of it and feel better."

• Anonymous
• January 16, 2011

Niaspan (niacin) for High Cholesterol "Went on Niacin @ 8000mg fifteen years ago. Now on Niaspan @ 2000mg for last five years. First medicine that has worked well with my body. My HDL stays in the 70s and total Cholesterol under 120. Dosing time and other foods have to be managed to suppress flushing. "

• Fodzee
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 16, 2021

For Niacin Deficiency "Niacin supplements have been miraculous in eliminating my symptoms. I had both psychiatric symptoms like depression and anxiety, and also had skin issues. In the skin, I had a thick, scaly, darkly pigmented rash around my genitalia. Dark scaly pigmented skin is classic symptom of pellagra that often manifests around the neck or hands. For me it was around my genitalia. 2 weeks on niacin and the rash has completely cleared up. I also no longer suffer from depression or anxiety."

• Lola
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 29, 2018

Niaspan (niacin) for High Cholesterol "I took maximum dose of Niaspan for over ten years. The drug raised the uric acid levels in my body and gave me horrible gout attack’s and raised my blood sugar levels to prediabetic. Do not take this drug."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 27, 2012

Niaspan (niacin) for Hyperlipoproteinemia Type IV, Elevated VLDL "I have been taking Niaspan ER 2000mg for three months. I am scheduled to get my first lab tests to determine its effectiveness on lowering my elevated Lpa level and whether my liver function is okay. I have noticed that the medicine needs to be taken by 930 or 1000pm. If I take the medication too late in the evening, I still can feel the effects of Niaspan when I get up for work the next morning. I also noticed that taking it with water alone, causes the symptoms to be much worse than taking it with a small glass of milk or snack. So I take it before 10pm with a small glass of milk or snack, and there seems to be very little symptoms."

• CocoC...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 16, 2019

Slo-Niacin (niacin) "Can't tolerate Niacin (flush) try Niacinamide, It is as effective for schizophrenia and depression! My Son weaned off Abilify/Lorazepam using Niacinamide 3,000 mg a day, all after 2 weeks! My Sister uses 500mg 2,x/day for long standing depression is gone, after 2 weeks! Truth, ecstatic!"

• brud
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 27, 2021

For High Cholesterol "Niacin has caused depression for me. I was feeling fine mentally prior to taking niacin, I was taking it for long covid symptoms but now I feel extremely depressed. I was taking it for just over a week. Be wary it can have the opposite effect!"

• Mrstr...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 15, 2019

"niacin is good stuff for benzo withdrawal, though watch out to take after meal, and avoid if heart rate is already too high. Still I take it while heart rate from the benzo withdrawal is higher than normal, throws the anxiety flat on ground, and erases the withdrawals for a short period 3 hours. Just enough to kick it down from morning anxiety, and depression. For fatigue this is godsend!"

• Anonymous
• August 4, 2009

Niaspan (niacin) for High Cholesterol "After a few days of taking this medication, I was awoken in the middle of night with the the warm red rash on my abdomen which was also extremely itchy. After 3 consecutive nights of the same reaction, I discontinued the medicine and called my doctor. He changed my prescription to another cholesterol medicine."

• Coco
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 11, 2019

"Try Niacin in the Niacinamide form for schizophrenia. Niacin causes a flush, Niacinamide does not. Son diagnosed with schizophrenia. Has been on Geodon, Invega, Abiblify and Lorazepam. Used Dr. Abram Hoffer's regimen Niacinamide 3,000 mg per day and Vitamin C 3,000 mg per day. Half AM, half PM. Took 1 week with regular medicines (Abilify 15 mg. a day and Lorazepam 1 mg. 3 times a day) started decreasing the Abilify. Taking 1/2 of the Abilify for 1 week and then 1/2 tablet of Abilify every other day. Third week, cut the Abilify out altogether. Have to take at least 3,000 mg a day of the Niacinamide (Niacin) for optimal benefit. After 21 days of Niacinamide he was on no Abilify and 1/2 mg of Lorazepam 2x a day. Lowering that too. Has no compulsive thoughts, or paranoia/hallucinations. Peace, no more depersonalization. Niacinamide in 1500 mg dosage. "

• bewitch
• February 13, 2011

Niaspan (niacin) for High Cholesterol "I've been on Niaspan for about 2 months, and its has been like a miracle medicine for my condition. I suffer with ulcers really bad on my fingers. Before starting the Niaspan I had ulcers on every finger on both hands (very, very, painful), was on pain medicines constantly, however I'm now off the pain medicines since last week, ulcers are drying up tremendously. The flushing is awful, the burning, and itching is hard to describe. I called my doctor and he said we can try something else, but this is working and I'm trying to hang with it. "

• GLAD...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 18, 2014

Niaspan (niacin) for High Cholesterol "Niaspan was prescribed by my doctor for Lipid Protein little a. My cholestrol was about 400+. I took one dose (500mg) at night and within 30 minutes I was in emergency room with anaphylactic shock. I don't remember much of anything till I woke up the next morning and was told how bad it almost was for me. I take 8 statins to maintain a cholesterol of 200."

• tochoj
• October 16, 2011

For High Cholesterol "After two years of taking 1g per day I developed a rash; at first with itch then it seemed to be like a very bad sunburn. Areas affected included ankles, legs, thighs, belly and biceps. A trip to the doctor, I stopped taking and went home to lots of cool showers. After a week of walking around the house naked (just the touch of clothes caused burning and itching) the rash has begun to subside. "

• Tiko
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 16, 2019

Niaspan (niacin) for High Cholesterol "I have taken Niaspan 1000 mg for several years now. It has had great success in raising my HDL (from 31 to 39) and keeping my triglycerides low. First time I took it my heart rate went up to 160, I went to emergency room not knowing what is going on with my heart, heart rate came down in hour. No problem since then, I take it with Milk and mix cereal. I tried to stop it for six months and my HDL gone Low to 34 and my triglycerides gone high 203."

• Train...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 18, 2014

Niaspan (niacin) for High Cholesterol "Off it completely for 2 days now. Acid reflux much better and more importantly no Pronounced heart beats or racing. Feeling normal again thank God. I truly believe after my experience with both Niaspan and Crestor is that they actually starve your heart of the Oxygen it needs if your an athlete. Heart rate problems or potential Arrhythmia's may not be revealed in people who have more sedentary lifestyles. The fact that the new recommendation is to stack COQ10 with the statins should prove that they can rob your heart of energy when you work it hard during intense exercise. "

• Bratz...
• May 6, 2022

For Hyperlipoproteinemia "In combination with a low-carb diet and intermittent fasting, I have been having a good experience so far. Keto will initially raise serum lipid levels and this has become my “more natural” solution to that hiccup. I experienced flushing initially, but, for me, that subsided by the fourth day. I actually look forward to my next dose due to the feeling of calm and well-being I experience. Additional benefits seem to be that I have been sleeping deeper and longer and wake feeling rested. I’m not taking a prescription form - just a down-and-dirty supplement form."

• Anonymous
• November 24, 2010

Niaspan (niacin) for High Cholesterol "Been taking time release 2000mg at night for three years now, don't know why it's so expensive but it's the only thing that has ever raised my good cholesterol. If I wake up in the middle of the night, I do have the heat feelings but can live with it. Whatever raises my good cholesterol is the best I can do, since it's so low!"

• Almos...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 9, 2018

For Niacin Deficiency "I had a horrible reaction to it. My skin felt as thought it was burning from the inside, I was covered in hives, my breathing became very weird, & I had chills — which resulted in shaking uncontrollably. Ended up going to the hospital."