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3.0 Overall Rating

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Most voted positive review

53 People found this comment helpful

This is the best option for low HDL, high cholesterol and high triglycerides if you don't want to take prescription drugs. It was far superior than Vytorin and shocked my doctor when it performed better than prescription drugs for me. My HDL went from 29 to 45.

Most voted negative review

4 People found this comment helpful

I have had some itching and redness after I take this medication but only if I eat Ice cream shortly before or after taking

Shared reviews and ratings

Anonymous | 65-74 | Male | On medication for 2 to less than 5 years | Patient
2/27/2021
Condition: Increased Triglycerides and Cholesterol
Overall rating 2.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

WARNING Discontinued after my blood sugar exceeded 120 and my blood sugar dropped back to normal levels.

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bluegirl | 45-54 | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
7/12/2016
Condition: Combined High Blood Cholesterol and Triglyceride Level
Overall rating 2.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I had a paralysis at age 12 due to a neurological syndrome. I recovered 90% of my body. At 48, my dr. prescribed niacin for cholesterol. One week in & leg weakness became severe.

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Anonymous | 45-54 | Male | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
6/19/2015
Condition: Combined High Blood Cholesterol and Triglyceride Level
Overall rating 3.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

My doctor had me on SIMCOR (combined simvastatin and slow release niacin) which was working well (cholesterol and triglicerides both down in normal range and good cholesterol ratio to the good side) with only mild flushing. My pharmacy plan quit covering SIMCOR, and forced my doctor to switch me to generic slow release niacin and generic simvastatin. The generics are not all crated equal. I have had two different generic versions of extended release niacin now and they react differently. The first gave me an upset stomach with burning. The second gave me such a bad reaction that I was on fire, dizzy, throat swelling, and ultimately passed out on the kitchen floor. I didnt have any of these types of problems with Simcor. Also, each time the generics get filled, I seem to get a different manufacturers product so the pill shape, size, and color keeps changing. This is confusing as a consumer. I go to this site to look them up each time as I do not trust the pharmacy to have not made a mistake. Finally, my periodic blood test results, while still in the normal range, are not as consistent nor as good as with the previous Simcor. This leads me to believe that the quality control is not as high with the generics.Read More Read Less

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jspinosa2000 | 55-64 | Male | On medication for 10 years or more | Patient
8/29/2014
Condition: Slow Progression of Disease of the Arteries of the Heart
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

After 15 years of use "advicor" 2000 mg. I had a heart attack. There were 7 blockages. I had a quadruple bypass. I am 64 athletic, workout,blood pressure 120 over 80, 6' 180 pounds. Advicor should be removed from the market and the drug maker should be fined.

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gldnpnd148 | 55-64 | On medication for 5 to less than 10 years | Patient
7/16/2014
Condition: Combined High Blood Cholesterol and Triglyceride Level
Overall rating 4.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

face flushes at night after I take it.

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sharinky | 45-54 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
2/2/2013
Condition: High Amount of Triglyceride in the Blood
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
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Tom | 65-74 | Male | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
12/27/2011
Condition: Combined High Blood Cholesterol and Triglyceride Level
Overall rating 2.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I just started this regimen, i.e., slo-niacin. To date (4 days) the effect has been a slight stomach discomfort but will continue to take this medication shortly after supper (not before bedtime) since I still have some food in the stomach to absorb the pill. I find taking it before bedtime 10:30 on a relatively empty stomach causes some stomach irritation.

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SWM | 65-74 | Male | On medication for 2 to less than 5 years | Patient
12/18/2011
Condition: High Cholesterol
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
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Anonymous | 55-64 | Male |
2/20/2011
Condition: Combined High Blood Cholesterol and Triglyceride Level
Overall rating 4.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
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JTT | 55-64 | Male | On medication for 1 to less than 2 years | Patient
9/16/2010
Condition: Low HDL Cholesterol
Overall rating 3.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Genetically predisposed to heart disease had a stent installed at 57 on my LAD; suffer from very low HDL levels, even lower after starting a statin medication to lower LDL to below 70, over all cholesterol was OK. HDL levels went from 31-32, to 40-48; started with time relelase formula to minimize side effects (which it did 100%), but as mny body acclimated to the vitamin the HDL levels have reversed to the 40 level. Per my cardiology and some personal research, regular/immediate release Niacin has better outcomes in increasing HDL. It is now being recommended in many quarters that HDL levels should be above 60 and up to 70 in order to minimize (possibly reverse such sysmptoms) further plaque buid-up and other related issues. It is imperative that you start out with small dosages to acclimate to the 2000mgs per day intake; using aspirin also may minimize the flushing effects. If you suffer from high cholesterl issues,t his may be an excellent way to address those issues...over-the-counter offerings are safe and very economical. If you have even minimal heart disease a VAP test is also recommended to more precisely diagnose your lipoproteins profile. Read More Read Less

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Booyah | 35-44 | Male | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
4/19/2010
Condition: Low HDL Cholesterol
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

This was prescribed on a Friday. I had heat and tingling on that Friday nite for two hours. Then on Saturday nite I had heat for one hour. I just take Niacin 500 with regular aspirin at bedtime. On Sunday nite, I had severe heat, then I got up and fell on the floor. The EMS said that I had very low blood sugar and low blood pressure and trouble breathing. The effects lasted about an hour. I will never take this again. Be very careful when taking at nite. I was completely unconcious for 10 minutes and my vision was blurred for a while after that. Read More Read Less

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Anonymous | 65-74 | Male | On medication for 1 to less than 2 years | Patient
3/29/2010
Condition: Low HDL Cholesterol
Overall rating 3.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

My HDL in six months raised from 39 to 49. However about once a week I have a severe reaction to the niacin. I will break out in a rash and severe itching. Will last about 45 minutes. My doctor has me taking 1000mg in morning and 1000 in the evening.

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bbfinley5 | 45-54 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
3/26/2010
Condition: Other
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

makes me vomitt

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Anonymous | 65-74 | Male | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
2/22/2010
Condition: High Cholesterol
Overall rating 2.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

My tri & chol increased due to Hypothyroidism, doc recommended i start Niacin 500 mg per day. Within 10 mins I feel like I'm on fire, itching severly & my face gets bright red. I don't like what happens when I take it.

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Greg | 55-64 | Male | On medication for 2 to less than 5 years | Patient
1/23/2010
Condition: Increased Triglycerides and Cholesterol
Overall rating 3.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Took it for 3 years before having liver damage. You must have blood test every 6 months to take this safely.

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hoot | 65-74 | Male | On medication for 10 years or more | Patient
1/19/2010
Condition: Combined High Blood Cholesterol and Triglyceride Level
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

My wife and I started the niacin program, 1500 mgs/day, almost twenty years ago. It has worked wonders for both of us....we use it religiously and eat normally. Time release tablets work the best.

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Nanahl | 65-74 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
10/18/2009
Condition: Deficiency of the Vitamin Niacin
Overall rating 4.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I have only been on about 2 weeks, but my doctor started me on 500 mg once a day at bedtime. It will be increased in a few months. However, the Niacin I have is Slo-Niacin (timed release). So far I have shown no side affects. In fact I am feeling better already even tho it's early.

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Anonymous | 55-64 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
9/27/2009
Condition: High Cholesterol
Overall rating 1.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Cannot take statins. Took 1 dose - 500 mg - at bedtime with food per MD orders. Woke up 4 hours later with severe burning pain all over skin - head to toe and bright red flushing. Became very short of breath. Collapsed onto floor, unconcious for several minutes. taken to ER by ambulance. extremely low blood pressure. Very frightening experience. Am DONE with attempts at cholesterol management using medication. It is all toxic to me.

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al | 55-64 | Male | On medication for 2 to less than 5 years | Patient
8/4/2009
Condition: High Amount of Triglyceride in the Blood
Overall rating 4.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I have been taking Niacin 500mg for the past eight months on a daily basis along with lipitor 80mg, my triglycerides and cholesterol have been high for a while and lipitor brought my cholesterol under control but not my triglycerides. Now with a combination of these two medicines along with controlled diet and long walks my triglycerides has come down considerably

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Nancy | 55-64 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
8/1/2009
Condition: Combined High Blood Cholesterol and Triglyceride Level
Overall rating 2.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I have only been taking this med for less than a week. I take it at bedtime. So far I have found I feel a little "out of it" in the mornings. I feel like it has raised my blood pressure a little as well. (ears ringing slightly) I cannot take any other cholesterol medication due to flu like symptoms, so I will see if I get over these side effects.

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