Niacin for High Cholesterol User Reviews

• Str...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 28, 2013

Niacin "My doctor wanted me to take statins with 225 cholesterol. I didn't want to (63 yrs old). She then suggested 500 mg of Slo-Niacin twice a day with a baby aspirin. I started it but in a few days I was terribly constipated. I backed off to once a day which helped. Then I started taking potassium iodine (kelp) and the constipation problem is completely solved - better than ever as I've always been constipated - probably slow thyroid. Anyway, when I was taking the two Slo-Niacins a day, I felt 20 years younger. Going up a flight of stairs felt like walking on a flat surface. Now one a day so I only feel 10 years younger. I went on a hike yesterday where I walked on a steep path for 45 min and it was like flat again."

• Anonymous
• August 9, 2009

Niacin "Two tabs (1000 mg) lowered my total cholesterol by 30 points. Added one more tablet daily (1500 mg) which will hopefully put my cholesterol at a 'good' level. Initial side effects of flushing and weird feeling were lessened by one baby aspirin 1/2 an hour prior to taking the niacin, but mostly by taking the niacin immediately before getting into bed at night. Eventually, I stopped the aspirin (lots of bruising) and notice that I am no longer sensitive (flushing and weird feelings are gone). So far, it's great, especially since prior to starting, I lost 35 pounds, stopped eating red meat and dairy products, and began/continue on a daily exercise (walking) program to no avail in reducing my cholesterol."

• Tra...
• July 29, 2013

Niacin "Age 51. I went to get my regular blood work with my doctor. My cholesterol has always been >200 and I have a family history of heart attack and stroke. I tried everything over the years, including Crestor, which was an absolute disaster for me after only 4 doses. Since then, I have tried the natural methods: Red Yeast Rice (may as well be on a statin, the side effects are basically the same) and lots of fish and krill oil. I was disappointed that my bad cholesterol was still high after all that, and my number was 219 total. Based on my unwillingness to try another statin, my doctor suggested a 500mg pill of Niaspan to be taken nightly. I have experienced no flushing as yet after a month on it and really no bad side effects. New blood results: 192! I will check back in 3 months."

• Ash...
• December 21, 2010

Niacin "We believe this medication, Niaspan, has caused liver failure in our father, that is what the doctors told us. So, please, anyone on this, please have your liver function tested. It is easily done by a blood test."

• Bee...
• April 7, 2011

Niacin "I have taken Niaspan 2000 mg for several years now. It has had great success in raising my HDL and keeping my triglycerides low. For years, I had minimal problems with flushing. But now, recently, I have had a number of episodes where I have woken up in the middle of the night with almost unbearable itching/burning skin. I took a break from the Niaspan for a couple of nights, and then when I tried it again, the itching was worse. I am going to have to discontinue this and consult with my doctor about what to do next to keep my numbers good."

• A W...
• April 15, 2014

Niacin "Been taking for over 20 years at 500 mg twice a day. Once you get over the flushing side effect in the first few months, it has been very effective at lowering and keeping cholesterol at a healthy level."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 29, 2012

Niacin "Problems with flushing until the doctor told me not to eat strawberries or chocolate in the evening. I can eat them before lunch. I take Niaspan on going to bed. I eat 2 Graham crackers and 8 oz of milk when I take it. This has resolved all my problems with the medicine."

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

"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 the 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 dreams were gone, as were the night sweats."

• pri...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 23, 2013

Niacin "I take 1000 mg two times a day. Taking 325 mg of aspirin before I take the Niaspan helps with the flushing. I have been on Niaspan for about 3 years now, my numbers are down 10%. The little bit of flushing I do get is a lot better than the severe joint pain I had with the statin medications. I recommend taking Niaspan. It is working for me."

• Jim...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 5, 2019

Niacin "I have been taking Niacin SR 2000 mg nightly with Zeta 10 mg nightly and no side effects except a little flushing. Cholesterol has been well under 100 all the time. Dr. tells me I need to take Repatha instead, which has some very bad side effects. May need to change something/someone else."

• Jes...
• October 15, 2009

Niacin "I participate in a Niaspan clinical trial and take 2000 mg/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 aspirin, applesauce, and wheat crackers technique. It's rather a hassle, but I think worth the trouble."

• che...
• December 27, 2010

"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."

• bab...
• March 19, 2013

Niacin "Woke up and felt like I was on fire. Skin was red, and my heart was pounding. Nauseated and very itchy. Calling my doctor in the morning. It is not worth it. This has happened twice, but this time it is worse. Feel very sick from it. My skin is so red."

• Anonymous
• September 19, 2011

Niacin "When major diet changes and exercise hardly changed cholesterol at all, I was started on 1500 mg 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."

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

"I started taking niacin for my high cholesterol about two years ago. I was taking 500 mg at dinner every day with no noticeable side effects for about a year. I decided to increase the dosage: 1000 mg 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
• January 16, 2011

Niacin "Went on niacin @ 8000 mg fifteen years ago. Now on Niaspan at 2000 mg for the 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."

• Lol...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 29, 2018

Niacin "I took the maximum dose of Niaspan for over ten years. The drug raised the uric acid levels in my body and gave me horrible gout attacks and raised my blood sugar levels to prediabetic. Do not take this drug."

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

Niacin "Posted about a year ago here after I first started a 500 mg nightly regimen of Niaspan. For a while, 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 heartbeat 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 arrhythmia or stroke during my exercise, which also is my job. This is day one off of it and I feel better."

• lov...
• August 19, 2009

Niacin "I started on Niaspan for 2 months, 500 at night. I had no problems at all. I took an aspirin 1/2 hr. before, then ate a snack, cottage cheese, and never had flushing or anything. I was to take two 500 a night. But when I checked the price at Wal-Mart, they were $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. As soon as I have my blood test again, I will let you know how they did for me."

• bew...
• February 13, 2011

Niacin "I've been on Niaspan for about 2 months, and it has been like a miracle medicine for my condition. I suffer from ulcers really bad on my fingers. Before starting the Niaspan, I had ulcers on every finger on both hands (very, very painful). I was on pain medications constantly, however, I'm now off the pain medications since last week. Ulcers are drying up tremendously. The flushing is awful, the burning and itching are 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."

• toc...
• October 16, 2011

"After two years of taking 1 g 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."

• Tik...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 16, 2019

Niacin "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. The first time I took it, my heart rate went up to 160. I went to the emergency room not knowing what was going on with my heart, my heart rate came down in an hour. No problem since then, I take it with milk and mix it with cereal. I tried to stop it for six months and my HDL went low to 34 and my triglycerides went high to 203."

• Anonymous
• November 24, 2010

Niacin "Been taking time-release 2000 mg 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!"

• Anonymous
• August 4, 2009

Niacin "After a few days of taking this medication, I was awoken in the middle of the night with 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."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 1, 2021

"After 4 days only on flush niacin 500 mg x 3 times per day, I developed eye floaters. An ophthalmologist confirms I have floaters and some bleeding behind the eye retina. I’m devastated that my vision is impaired and I have this bleeding. I asked the ophthalmologist if the niacin could’ve been the cause, and she says it’s quite possible. I’m not a niacin basher, as I had purchased lots to treat my cholesterol. I vape nicotine, and I’m on a blood pressure med and olanzapine and Effexor following some serious stress in my life a few years back. Just be careful with flush nicotine, as it is implicated in causing 'niacin-induced cystoid maculopathy, a form of retinal swelling.'"