Before Niaspan: T-Chol 328, Trig 304, LDL 222, HDL 46. After Niaspan: T-Chol 181, Trig 150, LDL 100, HDL 52. I've taken 3000 mg Niaspan daily, at bedtime, for over 3 years now. This is the highest therapeutic dose recommended. Side effects include flushing and itching, and occational tightening of tendens behind knees. Niaspan should only be taken at bed time as the liver produces chole...
Anonymous | 55-64 | Male | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
11/7/2007
Condition: Low HDL Cholesterol
Overall rating 2.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
After the first three nights, I had a reaction (moderate) about 8 hrs after the third dose. After that, ever morning the same thing, times would be differant from 1 to 2 hrs differance. I stopped using this for four days, and then restarted, the first two doses went fine, the third dose gave me the same reactions as above only around 4 am (7hrs later), I will try again for another three nights to see if there is a change in reactions. If not, I will contact my physician.
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Anonymous | 35-44 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
11/7/2007
Condition: Combined High Blood Cholesterol and Triglyceride Level
Overall rating 4.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
The medication does what it is supposed to do but the burning itching sensation that i wake up with every night well i can't hardly stand. I have been on med now for several months and is getting worse instead of better. Never had trouble with any of that either until i had beeen on med for 4 months. Ruins my sleep how healthy can that be
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Anonymous | 55-64 | Male | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
11/4/2007
Condition: High Amount of Triglyceride in the Blood
Overall rating 4.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
Have broken out with a rash--Triglycerides have dropped nicely
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dbail32 | 55-64 | Male | On medication for 1 to less than 2 years | Patient
10/29/2007
Condition: Combined High Blood Cholesterol and Triglyceride Level
Overall rating 4.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
I have been on this med. for over a year and on occasion, I still flush and itch. usually when others are around. Of course when I am rubbing my ankles together and they look at me as if I were on drugs, opps, I am. Overall, this has been ok for me.
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Anonymous | 25-34 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
10/29/2007
Condition: Combined High Blood Cholesterol and Triglyceride Level
Overall rating 3.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
The first time I took this drug I itched all over. The itching discontinued after several minutes (maybe the aspirin helped?)Then it didn't occur on subsequent doses...until I forgot to take it for several days. When I began taking it again, I had severe itching and hives the first night which subsided within an hour. We'll see what happens tomorrow...
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mycal777 | 55-64 | Male | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
10/28/2007
Condition: Combined High Blood Cholesterol and Triglyceride Level
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
I took it for the first time tonight.The flushing scared me but seemed to go away.I itch everywhere and have developed small bumps or hives from it.his will be the first and last time i take it.
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CLP | 25-34 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
10/27/2007
Condition: Low HDL Cholesterol
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
I have the worst effect of all side effects listed on the warning. Take the aspirin and eat before you take, but even that did not help me. Be careful because with the slow release the symptoms for me kept getting worse throughout the day....seeing stars, headache, dizziness....felt like a bad day at the amusement park. I'm trying diet and exercise now before I try another drug.
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Anonymous | 65-74 | Male | On medication for less than 1 month |
10/26/2007
Condition: Combined High Blood Cholesterol and Triglyceride Level
Overall rating 2.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
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kriscapb | 35-44 | Female | On medication for 1 to less than 2 years | Patient
10/1/2007
Condition: Low HDL Cholesterol
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
I was very hesitant to take this medication at first being afraid of the side effects. What I have learned is very important to take an aspirin 10-20 minutes before taking the Niaspan. It has worked GREAT for me!
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FIRECHIEFS | 45-54 | Male | On medication for 5 to less than 10 years | Patient
9/29/2007
Condition: Low HDL Cholesterol
Overall rating 4.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
I TAKE A FULL SIZED ASPIRIN ONE HOUR BEFORE TAKING THE NIASPAN IT HELPS GREATLY WITH THE FLUSHING. I HAVE RARE INCIDENTS.
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cocodot2 | 45-54 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
9/22/2007
Condition: Combined High Blood Cholesterol and Triglyceride Level
Overall rating 3.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
If you take this medication right before bedtime and you fall asleep quickly you can sleep through the symptoms. But if you awaken within 2 - 4 hours then the flushing, burning and itching is terrible. I also experienced a fainting spell one night when I got up. If you drink ANY alcohol it will greatly increase the side effects, even a small glass of wine with your evening meal. It has been too early to tell if it is lowering triglycerides.
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2bRoger | 45-54 | Male | On medication for 6 months to less than 1 year | Patient
9/19/2007
Condition: Low HDL Cholesterol
Overall rating 2.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
The flushing is tolreable. The itching is intolerable. I'd rather have heart surgery all over again than suffer with the infernal itching. My cardiologist believes the severe itching is unrelated to the Niaspan because it has occured only twice since I started taking the medication 6 months ago. I disagree. It seems to me the unbearable itching is caused by the Niaspan, together with some other unknown factor. There may be something to the "spicy food" connection posted by others. Last night, I ate a bunch of hot peppers an hour or so before taking the Niaspan. I woke at 3 am, with a tolerable hot wave, followed by the dreaded itching. Pure torment! My chest, back and legs were bright red. A cold (very cold) shower helped a little. (The only thing worse than a cold cold shower is the itching from Hell). On the first occasion, two months ago, Benedril helpped some, but relief did not begin for over an hour after taking it. (Take at least two tablets!) But last night, I didn't mess around with Benedril. Instead, I took two codine tablets I had left over from surgery. Relief! If you are suffering from this terrible side-effect, may God be with you!Read More Read Less
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Anonymous | 45-54 | Female | On medication for 2 to less than 5 years | Patient
9/18/2007
Condition: Combined High Blood Cholesterol and Triglyceride Level
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