Niaspan for High Cholesterol User Reviews

Niaspan has an average rating of 5.8 out of 10 from a total of 24 reviews for the treatment of High Cholesterol. 46% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 25% reported a negative experience.

Niaspan rating summary

5.8 average rating out of 10

24 ratings from 26 user reviews.

Compare all 293 medications used in the treatment of High Cholesterol.

10		4%
9		17%
8		25%
7		4%
6		8%
5		8%
4		8%
3		4%
2		4%
1		17%

Reviews for Niaspan

Tra...
July 29, 2013

"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."

8 / 10

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62 Report

Ash...
December 21, 2010

"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."

1 / 10

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62 Report

Bee...
April 7, 2011

"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."

5 / 10

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53 Report

Frequently asked questions

How long does niacin stay in the human system?

Anonymous
Taken for 2 to 5 years
April 29, 2012

"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."

6 / 10

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44 Report

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

"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."

9 / 10

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38 Report

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bab...
March 19, 2013

"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."

3 / 10

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36 Report

Jes...
October 15, 2009

"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."

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40 Report

Anonymous
September 19, 2011

"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."

9 / 10

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35 Report

lov...
August 19, 2009

"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."

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39 Report

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

"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."

4 / 10

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23 Report

Anonymous
January 16, 2011

"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."

8 / 10

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29 Report

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

"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."

2 / 10

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15 Report

Anonymous
August 4, 2009

"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."

5 / 10

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25 Report

bew...
February 13, 2011

"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."

8 / 10

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22 Report

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

"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."

1 / 10

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17 Report

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

"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."

4 / 10

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14 Report

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

"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."

9 / 10

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8 Report

Anonymous
November 24, 2010

"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!"

9 / 10

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16 Report

bad...
October 27, 2010

"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."

10 / 10

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13 Report

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

"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?"

7 / 10

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6 Report

Fra...
August 2, 2017

"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."

1 / 10

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7 Report

42a...
January 16, 2015

"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."

8 / 10

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5 Report

Anonymous
June 24, 2009

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

8 / 10

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28 Report

Anonymous
May 2, 2009

"Seemed to work okay for me."

8 / 10

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25 Report

Anonymous
September 25, 2011

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

1 / 10

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17 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.