User Reviews for Niaspan oral

I was on this drug for about 4 months. Did nothing for my Cholesterol level. Never got over the burning from the inside out, extreme redness, and itching. I did the aspirin and benadryl - the benadryl helped some.

DRUG IS VERY EXPENSE. IT HAD NO AFFECT ON MY CHOLESTEROL & TRIGLYCERIDE LEVEL. ALSO BROKE OUT WITH A RASH, WHICH CLEARED UP AFTER A WEEK WITHOUT THIS MEDICINE.

the flushing is the only side effect that I have noticed. It is effective in reducing cholesterol. The price is the only downside.

I take this medicine at bedtime. I've been fortunate not to have any side effects. If I am "flushing", it's not enough to wake me up through the night. From my doc, I received a coupon card to help with the cost of the medication. It cuts my co-pay to $15. The card is good for 1 year.

I cannot take any statins so I really needed to find another way to bring my ldl in line. I started with slo-niacin- controlled release, 1000mg/day and although my good cholesterol was up to 83 and the tryglycerides went down to 75 it wasn't enough for the LDL which was 193--so- o I got real-- found out over the counter was not great for the liver though prescrip. extended isn't as bad - I switched to the prescrip Niaspan, gradually going to 2000mg after 2 weeks and I went back to eating old-fashioned oatmeal at least 4-5 times a week, with 2 tablespoon ground flax seed, and 2 tb maple syrup. I use olive oil,99 percentof the time so I cut out any butter, substituted Earth Balance which I can bake with and increase fruit, esp. apples, smoothies, and go to the gym 2-3 times a week using eliptical for 45-min - 1 hour- I dropped 100 points of LDL- down to 93 in 1 month. Total cholesterol is now 194- I am so excited, my Dr. is excited, and I did it with out statins. Go on line to find what foods help eliminate LDL and drink green tea. Read More Read Less

Took a 500 mg dose for 3 weeks. I developed a rash on my face that I did not immediately associate with this medication. This past weekend, I had a "flushing" episode. Flushing is not a strong enough word to use. I thought I was having a stroke. Out of nowhere, I felt like I was burning from the inside out. Severe redness and swelling on my entire upper body. Dry heaves and nausea. My skin was very hot to the touch. Now I realize that I was having other side effects that I did not attribute to the med. Besides the rash on my face, my eyes have been tearing uncontrollably for two weeks. I have had pain in the soles of my feet and my ankles. I will not take this any more ... forget the aspirin or applesauce. If this stuff is so toxic that I need to take another medication to take this medication ... what sense does that make? My cholesterol is about 235, I have no heart problems and there are no serious heart problems in my family history. My doctor wanted me on statins, which I refused to take because of the potential liver issues. This was supposed to be an alternative with none of the bad side effects. Beginning to doubt my doctor now.Read More Read Less

After about three months on this medication I experienced severe itching on both forearms when my arms were exposed to sunlight for as little as 15 seconds. All symptoms disappeared about a week after I stopped taking Niaspan. Two weeks later I started up again and the itching immediately returned. I have been off this medication for several months now and my arms are Fine. I have not seen anything in the literature about such a reaction.

no problems med i do hear it can a stroke i am worried about this

I am unable to take statin drugs due to the reactions experienced. After purching this drug, I started to check the contents of the medication and compare with over the counter niacin tablets due to the extreme cost of the drug. SURPRISE! 500mg of niaspan costs almost $5.00 per tablet where 500mg of niacin over the counter in the health section costs about 5 cents a capsule. There is no difference in the chemical content of the two. Both are slow release. So, if there is no difference why pay the extreme costs for the same benefit?Read More Read Less

tonight was my first time taking this medication. After reading the reviews I did not know it is so expensive, I am unable to take statins I get too much pain in my legs Thanks for the appelsauce thing I am gona go get some tomorrow I go for my first appt with a cardiologist in a month so I really hope this works for me I have a huge hx of heart desease in family.

I have been taking 500mg of Niaspan daily for several years and have seen no noticable improvement in my low HDL. I have sometimes experienced flushing during the night that wakes me up.

I had extreme flushing and then uncontrolled itching. My HDL numbers wen, up and then started down. I stuck with the Meds for 4 months and it was a horrible time

I was prescribed Niaspan after my Quadruple Bypass. My doctor has not preformed any follow-up blood work to this day. My surgery was preformed July 2010. The pill is expensive, I always experience side effects of flushing (even hours after taking)I have a a problem with skin itching that I end up scratching constantly. I have a hive type rash two inches below my right Pec,That will not go away. Yes I take the Niaspan at the end of dinner.

Made my skin feel like it was on fire with extreme flushing and tingling.

Niaspan works fairly well for me. However, in taking 2000 mg per day, the cost of the drug is $790 for 90 days. In the past I have taken Endur-Acin with about the same results. Cardioligist switched me to Niaspan. Since Endur-Acin costs $65 for 6 months, I am going back to it next month.

I have been taking over a year, did not lower cholesterol, dr putting me on zetia but after reading the reviews I am leary of that, could not take crestor or lipitor, I don't think there is any safe drug for high cholesterol

Most nights I have no problems. Some nights I flush. However, then there are the few select nights...My whole body itches like crazy. This usually occurs 4 hours after taking the medication, so the aspirin has pretty much worn off by then. I keep cortisone cream on hand at all times, and benedryl. When I was on a higher dose (1000mg nightly), I would spend the night in the bathtub (use hot water, it releases histamines that decrease itching). But it's hard to go to work the following day when you spend the night in the tub. The good news? My HDL went from 38-63.Read More Read Less

While I have not experienced severe side effects as some have, I am very disappointed to hear that this very expensive drug is,like Zetia (that I have taken for some time proir) not as effective as claimed. If the cost was five or ten cents a dose it would be one thing but the stuff is $5.00 a dose!

Had by-pass surgery 7 years ago. Started taking Niaspan and increased dosage to 2000mg over three months. Over time my HDL rose and my LDL dropped. Blood work has been excellent. My HDL has been 67-70 and my LDL has dropped from 80 to 50. Have avoided significant flushing by taking 81mg asprin 30 minutes prior to taking Niaspan. This is done before bedtime. Flushing is rare. Dr. said, "give your body time to acclimate to the properties of niasin. It may take a month or so...be patient." He was right. Early on I did flush. It is uncomfortable but a strong indicator that it is roto rooting my arteries. Be PATIENT. Give it a chance to work. It may be the best artery clearing product out there.Read More Read Less