Niacin for High Cholesterol User Reviews (Page 2)

• bru...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 27, 2021

"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!"

• Dal...
• September 28, 2013

"I've just started niacin. 250 mg daily for a week, now 500 mg. I'm concerned because it shoots my blood pressure up from 125/79 to 166/99 for the hour that the flush lasts. I take it with food at supper time. I get strong flushes about every other day."

• P K...
• October 10, 2010

"I have been taking 3,000 mg, 1,500 twice a day, of non-time-released niacin for 8 years and have maintained my cholesterol levels at around 125-130 for that time. This is a drop of about 30 points for me. It was recommended by my doctor. He also gave me instructions on how to work up this dosing level over a 6-week period. I only have occasional flushing issues, usually after missing a dose, these are usually mild and last less than 5 mins."

• Jan...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 27, 2019

Niacin "I have been taking Niaspan 2000 for the last 8 years with okay results. But the last time I went to the doctor, my cholesterol was 220. The doctor put me on Zetia since I cannot take statins. Unfortunately, Zetia had the same reaction on my body as statins: terrible joint pain. After only 10 days, I had to stop. I was hoping it would be the answer, but it wasn't. I went back on Niaspan. I watch what I eat and have been a vegetarian for 45 years. The doctor said it was hereditary that my liver makes too much cholesterol and it was not my diet. I am at the end of my rope now if the Niaspan stops working. Suggestions?"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 6, 2017

"I have been taking niacin for 14 days and developed a severe allergic reaction that landed me in the ER! I looked like I was burnt, and the pain was unbearable! I had to have three shots of EpiPen before I got any relief! Why does it take so long for this medicine to cause an allergic reaction? I am just lucky that the pain woke me up, otherwise, I wouldn’t be writing this!"

• Fra...
• August 2, 2017

Niacin "Had high triglycerides for more than a decade. Was on Niaspan for much of that time. Little or no impact on my numbers (continually had 400-level triglycerides or higher). My daughter, a nursing student, suggested I look at something different. Finally moved to Lopid. Take 1 pill when I wake up and one 30 minutes before my evening meal. Since taking Lopid, I've not had a number higher than 150, and I'm eating what I want. I realize that Niaspan might work for some. But if it's not working for you, I strongly recommend trying Lopid."

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

Niacin "Niaspan was prescribed by my doctor for lipid protein little a. My cholesterol was about 400+. I took one dose (500 mg) at night, and within 30 minutes, I was in the emergency room with anaphylactic shock. I don't remember much of anything until 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."

• bad...
• October 27, 2010

Niacin "I've been taking it for five years now. I've only had one episode of flushing since starting this medication. I took a Zantac at the same time as the 2000 mg Niaspan, and I woke up feeling like I was on fire. But I've had no problems since then."

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

Niacin "Off it completely for 2 days now. Acid reflux much better and, more importantly, no pronounced heartbeats or racing. Feeling normal again, thank God. I truly believe, after my experience with both Niaspan and Crestor, that they actually starve your heart of the oxygen it needs if you're an athlete. Heart rate problems or potential arrhythmias 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."

• Me-...
• October 31, 2016

"I take a small amount, maybe 1/4 cup, of applesauce with my niacin or Niaspan at night and have no flushing. It also works with half of an apple. It must be the pectin in the apples that stops the flushing, but it works 100% of the time for me. But I've been having problems at night-indigestion, a weird feeling in my chest, itching, and sleeplessness, so I am going to start taking it in the morning."

• 42a...
• January 16, 2015

Niacin "I have been taking 1500 mg at bedtime for about 4 years. It has lowered my cholesterol some, but I'm also taking Zetia and Crestor too at this time. (I have familial high cholesterol about 380.) I have flushing, but it is mild compared to regular niacin, which I could never tolerate. Flushing is worse if I forget and skip a day. Drinking water helps with the flushing."

• Eir...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 26, 2016

"Started taking Niacin-B3 500 mg a month ago at bedtime. About 3 weeks into it, I would wake up with stomach pains with the feeling of vomiting, I also had loose bowels, legs hurt, dry skin, and itchy rash. Stopped taking the meds instantly and called my doctor. Still suffering with rash and itch."

• COM...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 8, 2017

"I have been taking niacin ER for about 2 weeks and have many headaches at night and waking up all times of the night due to pain. I am on CPAP also, which I think does not help. Plus, joint pain during the day. I just don't like the feeling with this drug."

• Mir...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 8, 2020

"I started on niacin flush 500 mg for high cholesterol, and after the initial flush and rush, I was well and felt better. Then, after a couple of months, my feet and hands started to get white, and I was feeling faint. I was scared and discontinued niacin flush for good."

• Anonymous
• September 19, 2017

Niacin "I had never taken a medication that had me in fear for my life like Niacin. The pain, redness, flushing, rash, and drooping of the face was horrible only after the second pill. It is a very worrisome medication, I would never take it again."

• bra...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 25, 2013

Niacin "My cholesterol has dropped 21 points since I started taking niacin. The only side effects I experience are flushing of the body (like prickly heat) and itching sensations."

• Anonymous
• February 23, 2012

"Lowered triglycerides by 50%. Severe muscle ache in legs. Discontinued."

• Anonymous
• June 24, 2009

Niacin "I've been on it for about 10 days now, and it seems to be working well."

• Anonymous
• September 25, 2011

Niacin "Lowered my cholesterol, but after 6 weeks, I had to discontinue due to hives."

• ang...
• August 26, 2011

"The third dose I took affected me very negatively, as I broke out in hives and looked like I had a bad sunburn, and I was scratching like crazy."

• der...
• November 17, 2010

Niacin "I use the niacin regularly. My numbers show a slow moderation, my doctor is pleased. I do not use it at night, it disturbed my sleep. Thanks."

• Anonymous
• May 2, 2009

Niacin "Seemed to work okay for me."