User Reviews for Niaspan oral

I stayed with it for the six weeks. It was very unconfortable. I switched to the extended time release and it helped with the itching but not the hot flashes. I started taking a full dose asperin and food before taking and still had problems day and night. I stoped taking it on Feb.15th and I am still having hot flashes! Is that normal? I can nottell you if it helped with the colesteral since I could not stick with it. My test on 2/8 was still heigh with total colesteral at 270.

I am a medical professional and have prescribed this medication for many of my patients. The chief complaint with niacin is the flushing and itching. I began taking 250mg. at night and after the first dose noted a slight cardiac arrythmia, irregular heart beat. This happened with each dose and worsened until one night I thought I needed to call an ambulance it was so bad. I am wondering if a cardiac arrythmia could be the cause of the complaints of lightheadedness I am reading in the reviews. My suggestion, since this drug has not been on the market long, is to be very careful about taking it. I won't be taking it again and have had no arrythmia since stopping the drug. I am a healthy, active 60 year old of normal weight with no history of heart disease. If you get lightheaded check your pulse in your neck and if irregular contact your physician immediately and stop the niacin.Read More Read Less

I started out at 500mg. Used aspirin as directed and had only periodic bouts of flushing. After 3 months went to 1000mg - trying to boost "good" cholesterol. Overall seemed to go okay, but notices more bouts of flushing along with more upset stomach, diahrea, and some sleeping problems. Dr. recently boosted to 1500 mg and flushing is more frequent and more severe as are stomach problems. Very little improvement in HDL level. I'm about to dump this drug.

I have been taking the extended release for a little over a year. 1000 mg each night. Has greatly lowered triglycerides, when all else has failed. I have had a few hot flashes in the night, but with an asprin at night in ususally ok. I found when I do have an episode an allergy pill seems to work - not sure why?

This was a horrible drug for me. I only took one dose and had extreme flushing and itching of the arms and a rash on my arms. THis was after 2 hours taking the drug and then after this subsided I had chills for another 30 minutes. It was a scary experience and my tryglycerides are not that high. I will try an alternative medicine and watch my diet better. I didn't know that taking aspirin or ibuprofen before would help. But, I won't try it again.

I have been on Niaspan for a week and did not experience any side effects. I followed my MD's advice of taking an aprin i/2 hr. before and taking it with a low fat snack at night. That is, until last night when I got a full blown episode of flushing and intense itching on my arms, chest, back and legs. Is there something that can be done when this occurs to lessen the side effect?

My sister used this drug for 2 days. After only 2 doses, she was unable to breath properly and ended up at the ER. Doctor has taken her off this med.

I started taking and became hot and prickly burning sensation. Niaspan is niacin which is a vitamin in the B family. I bought slow released niacin at the drug store ( OTC) 500mg and take a baby aspirin 1/2 hour prior and have no side effects. The slow released niacin is the same thing but without side effects. The drug company is capitalizing on a vitamin and charging a lot of money for something thats available at any health food or drug store. Try the more natural kind!

Started taking at bedtime. First time went OK, woke up during night once with the burning. Took 2nd dose next night, COULDNT SLEEP AT ALL +burning/itching +joint pain following day. Everytime I take this med I DO NOT sleep at all during the night. Going to give the eating before & aspirin a try to see if helps. if not.. then SEE YA LATER NIASPIN !!

severe itching and burning started on day two. by the third day I wanted to use a wire brush on my skin. could no longer sleep. took myself of drug and called the doctor. wil never use this drug again

side effects/extreme leg and feet cramps/joint pain. Used after Lipitor and Zetia had same side effects. Unable to use any of the three above drugs

After reading several reviews, I had myself worked up about what would happen to me after taking. I've taken for two days and nothing happened. I took the aspirin 1/2 hour before the Niaspan and ate a few crackers with it. I had no flushing, no rapid heart rate, no nausea or lightheadedness. So far so good. I'm hopeful that this will continue. I had one hive on my arm this morning but it could be allergies...no itching at all though. I'll watch and wait.

I have been on this day 2 now. First night almost called an ambulance it was so horrible. Burning (fire), chills after, took a cold shower to stop the burning then had the chills. I did NOT try the aspirin and didn't eat. I am trying that now (3rd shifter) and will let you all know how it goes...first experience was a nightmare.

Flushing and itching is terrible. Cannot sleep and scratching all the time. Not worth it at all.

My MD originally started me out on 500mg, then up to 1000mg. I tolerated 500mg well, but had to go off the 1000mg due to side effects of severe flushing, rapid heartbeat, and lightheadedness. Merck is supposedly coming out with a no-side effect medication in replacement of niaspan this spring. I'd be willing to try that, otherwise, I won't take niaspan ever again. It was horrible.

I should of read these reviews first...this stuff is crazy. I took around 10pm, it's now 2am and I feel like I'm on fire, yes I took asprin before I took my dose. I wont be taking another dose!!!!!

FLUSHING? TRY PARBOILING! WORST FEELING I HAVE EVER HAD, I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DIE! BURNING, FAINTING, NAUSEA, UPSET STOMACH, CHILLS... EVERY SIDE EFFECT. I WILL NEVER TAKE THIS MEDICINE AGAIN! IT CAN'T BE WORTH IT.

Only had flushing or itching if I don't follow directions. Take NSAID half hour before and take with food. Never eat or drink hot food/liquids after taking. Has really helped my Triglycerides and LDL.

I have been taking this med for about 8 months now. I have had a bad problem with the itching and needles feeling all over my body. My skin has totally dried out to a scaley point. My eyes stay swollen and red, itching constantly. Not even eye shadow can cover it up. Totally fed up with it. Will seek new medication this week. I do not recommend this med for anyone.

have been taking this drug for about a year now. at first just had flushing and was no problem because i took drug at night after working 2nd shift but now about every 5th or 7th day the itching drives me up the wall will ask doctor for some alternitive can't handle itching