Show ratings & reviews for

3.5 Overall Rating

Effectiveness

Ease of Use

Satisfaction

Most voted positive review

113 People found this comment helpful

Many people have experienced the annoying, sometimes downright painful sensation of niacin flush at least once during their life, and probably didn't even know what it was. Niacin, by nature, is a great way of reducing your cholesterol. Many over-the-counter cholesterol medications include high does of niacin, among other ingredients. However, one of the unfortunate side effects of taking doses o...

Most voted negative review

17 People found this comment helpful

WARNING: taking Niacin (Vitamin B-3) at only 500 MG/ day cost me dearly! My neurologist(a specialist in a sub-type of neurology of which there are only dozen in the US) determined it was toxic causing me total failure of my autonomic nervous system (autonomic polyneuropathy) and these nerves don't grow back! Thanks to that soon after I noticed the problems I continue to deal with 10 yrs later. Dia...

Shared reviews and ratings

Jacob040508 | Age: 45-54 | On supplement for 2 to less than 5 years |
3/14/2024
Condition: Parkinson disease
Overall rating 4.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Boys & girls you cannot overdose on a vitamin and then complain about side effects. Niacin is required and especially helps with Nerve Disorders like Parkinsons, Alzhemers and Glaucoma. BUT, the RDA is 20mg per day, not 500mg. You can take 2 times the RDA, but not 200 times! So, do not advise people against niacin if you cannot understand dosages. Niacin gives cells the ability to make NADH which is needed by mitochondria to turn sugar into ATP (energy). Nerve cells are especially sensitive to a lack of energy. Read More Read Less

Report this postFill 3Created with Sketch.
Age: 65-74 |
1/8/2024
Condition: High cholesterol
Overall rating 4.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Hi Guys, I have been taking niacin as in Nicotinic acid for high cholesterol for about 15 years it worked like a charm it went from extremely high to normal range in a month or so. I have had glaucoma and AMD during this time and recently read a article linking niacin as nicotinic acid as to causing high IOP pressure. My IOP was 24 in my left eye (glaucoma) and 34 in my right eye( AMD) . I immediately quit and had my eye pressure checked the next time I went to the eye doctor and my pressure in my left eye dropped to 14 and my right eye dropped to 24. The article said to be careful if you have glaucoma or AMD or have a family history of it. Be sure to have your doctor check your eye pressure before and after trying it.Read More Read Less

Report this postFill 3Created with Sketch.
john | Age: 55-64 | On supplement for 1 to 6 months |
12/10/2022
Condition: High cholesterol
Overall rating 3.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

started 500mg morning and 500mg at night 2000mg fish oil cholester-off ldl 122 in august 2022 now ldl 122 Dec 2022 hdl 59 in august 2022 now hdl 56 Dec 2022 tri-G 58 in august 2022 now 86 Dec 2022

Report this postFill 3Created with Sketch.
Rasmus Toldam | Age: 25-34 | On supplement for 6 months to less than 1 year |
4/12/2022
Condition: Schizophrenia
Overall rating 4.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Real Niacin as in Flush Niacin 3 grams and higher every day until symptoms disappeared (took less than a month) And then 1 gram 2-3 times a week have eradicated my symptoms up to 80% . I take no medication btw.

Report this postFill 3Created with Sketch.
Doves | Age: 45-54 | On supplement for less than 1 month |
6/1/2021
Condition: Other
Overall rating 2.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

After only 4 days on flush niacin to treat cholesterol I developed eye floaters. Today an ophthalmologist told me that it’s quite possible that the flush niacin caused the eye floaters and I also have some bleeding behind my eyes. I wish I knew that flush niacin was implicated for ‘niacin-induced cystoid maculopathy, a form of retinal swelling’ and in my case perhaps eye floaters and bleeding. I’ll never know if niacin caused my eye floaters but is it coincidental that the floaters started in my eyes (mostly right) 4 days after commencing niacin therapy. Just be careful.Read More Read Less

Report this postFill 3Created with Sketch.
ruralakay | Age: 45-54 | On supplement for 2 to less than 5 years |
2/16/2020
Condition: Other
Overall rating 4.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I began taking 100mg twice daily some time ago to aid in lowering LDL, raising HDL and lowering triglycerides. I also take Red Yeast Rice with Co-Q-10. It has been highly effective. I used to have the flushing symptoms, but those went away over time, to the point where I had zero flush. Over the past few days, I have increased to 500 mg once a day (I take in the morning, because I'd rather get the flush overwith than have it affect my sleep). With the increase in dosage, the flush is back, full force, but I don't mind, because that's how I know it's working. People need to realize that the no-flush version has been shown to be no more effective on cholesterol & triglycerides than a placebo. And the extended release version may lower the intensity of the flush, but at the expense of a constant onslaught to the liver. It MUST be the full-flush version to get all the benefits. I have Hashimoto's, which means I'm ALWAYS cold, so the flush is actually pleasant to me, like an electric blanket turned on high and thrown over my shoulders. Could do without the itch, but it's not unbearable. The thing I hate most, with this new dosage, is the 2-3 hours of chills and feeling like I've been stuck in a freezer, after the initial flush fades. However, having done this before, at the lower dosage, I know from experience that, as my body adjusts, the symptoms will lessen or disappear. People are quitting the treatment too soon, without sticking it out, because of the unpleasant side effects. You aren't giving it enough time. It DOES get better, if you stick it out. And the benefits are amazing. My triglycerides dropped from high 200's-low 300's to 75-80 (my doc was extremely pleasantly surprised) & my cholesterol levels are all hovering around normal. I refuse to take statins, so this, my RYR and my fish oil do the job very nicely. I increased my dosage mainly because I went off my diet/med protocol for a few months & my levels are creeping up as a result, so I'm in damage control.Read More Read Less

Report this postFill 3Created with Sketch.
BJD | Age: 55-64 | On supplement for 1 to 6 months |
9/11/2019
Condition:
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

tried niacin as an option to 20mg atvorastatin . did regular niacin not the flush free stuff. I got itchy and flush pretty bad. It did bring #s down some but not low enogh for my doc.My doc is both and MD and a ND and has a degree in herbal medicine and homeopath as well. H eprefers to use herbs and vitamins when possible. However he told me that on maladies such as high chloresterol and high blood pressure the drugs just work a whole lot better. These diseases can kill you so you bring out the big guns (drugs) that actually work.Read More Read Less

Report this postFill 3Created with Sketch.
Dr G | On supplement for less than 1 month |
4/1/2019
Condition: Other
Overall rating 2.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

WARNING: taking Niacin (Vitamin B-3) at only 500 MG/ day cost me dearly! My neurologist(a specialist in a sub-type of neurology of which there are only dozen in the US) determined it was toxic causing me total failure of my autonomic nervous system (autonomic polyneuropathy) and these nerves don't grow back! Thanks to that soon after I noticed the problems I continue to deal with 10 yrs later. Diagnosis of mental impairments & co-morbid conditions: (I now suffer from depression, ocd, anxiety, & adhd) inability to sweat(you itch like crazy & can't tolerate heat (& direct sunshine) for only a few minutes), stamina/shortness of breath(so forget sports/running/exercising very long), impotence..... and the list goes on. If this sounds like fun, then take all this vitamin B(S)-3 you want! 99% of neurologists let alone general family doctors/ PCPs who recommend it to patients freely DO NOT know that serious side effects can occur supplementing this supposedly "safe" Niacin(B-3). Caution is advised! Is it really worth the risk? Read More Read Less

Report this postFill 3Created with Sketch.
JoaniB | Age: 65-74 |
2/4/2018
Condition: Other
Overall rating 2.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

This was to raise HDL. I made the mistake of taking the 500 mg Tablet the first night and Was freezing and shaking for 5 hours. I needed a heating to warm up a little bit. I felt like I had hypothermia again. I waited a day then a night I a tried 250mg/1/2 pill and got extreme flushing and itching even with baby aspirin 1/2 hour before. I managed for a couple of weeks and it raised HDL a few points to acceptable limits. I was to take 250mg 1 Am & 1 PM I could not stand itching and flushing. I passed out the first time ever after taking a few mornings. I quit taking it. It is funny that Kaiser won't prescribe muscle relaxants because you may get dizzy and fall but blood pressure do that also and niacin for me. Read More Read Less

Report this postFill 3Created with Sketch.
Bill D. | Age: 75 or over | On supplement for 2 to less than 5 years |
10/31/2017
Condition:
Overall rating 2.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Went to my cadiologist on 10/30/17 and was told to stop taking Niacin due to new studies showing it can cause bleeding in the brain. Ihave been taking it for three years now and have stopped as of this morning.

Report this postFill 3Created with Sketch.
rflem59801 | Age: 75 or over |
9/5/2017
Condition: Other
Overall rating 1.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
Report this postFill 3Created with Sketch.
Quando62 | Age: 45-54 | On supplement for 1 to 6 months |
7/3/2017
Condition: Other
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I was feeling NO energy, always fatigue and depressed with NO motivation since my heart attack and 3 stents 3 years ago. My body has been going downhill since. SO, I got tired of crestor, lipitor, which wasn't doing the job for me. SO, my father always took Niacin for his heart and cholesterol instead of statins, he was a health nutt!!! I have been having constant heart skips, palpitations since december 2016 to June 2017 when I began taking Niacin. I have been taking it now at 2grams a day in the morning, and for 3 weeks, not one heart skip, no palpitations, energy is WAY UP, and knocked my depression dead in it's tracks!!! I have motivation and feel so much more happy and 20 years younger. Something is surely going on with this Niacin, my father knew something and glad I listed to him for a change!!!Read More Read Less

Report this postFill 3Created with Sketch.
Betty | Age: 75 or over | On supplement for 10 years or more |
5/14/2017
Condition: Other
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I have taken plain Niacin for over 50 yrs (GNC brand). Began with small dose, worked up to 3000 mg daily (1,000 mg 3 x a day) with positive results. Gradually lowered dosage to 2000 mg, now 1000 mg. sometimes with a baby aspirin but not always (flushing doesn't last long). Liver enzymes checked on a regular basis. No noticeable side effects. I prefer non-drug treatment when possible.

Report this postFill 3Created with Sketch.
arc8iablue | Age: 45-54 | On supplement for 1 to 6 months |
5/20/2016
Condition: Other
Overall rating 2.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I started taking 500 MG of Niacinamide after hearing in the documentary Food Matters thar it could be helpful for depression. (I had tried SAM-e with no noticeable for both depression and osteoarthritis.) I only recently became aware of its benefit for arthritis but I started taking ASU not long before this so I think the ASU had been helpful in that regard. I have NOT noticed any improvement in my (mild) depression however I've had the worst allergy /sinusitis episodes over the last three months (making me more depressed because I'm tired of being sick) and after doing some more research have discovered that Niacinamide releases histamine which can make allergies worse. I'm now wondering if this had been my problem for the last several months, starting with a horrible bout of vertigo three months ago and terrible sinus infections every month since. I'm on my 4th round of antibiotics now and wondering if I should stop the Niacinamide or wait until the infection clears so I can determine if stopping actually improves my situation. Read More Read Less

Report this postFill 3Created with Sketch.
4/25/2016
Condition:
Overall rating 2.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

WARNING: taking Niacin (Vitamin B-3) at only 500 MG/ day cost me dearly! My neurologist(a specialist in a sub-type of neurology of which there are only dozen in the US) determined it was toxic causing me total failure of my autonomic nervous system (autonomic polyneuropathy) and these nerves don't grow back! Thanks to that soon after I noticed the problems I continue to deal with 10 yrs later. Diagnosis of mental impairments & co-morbid conditions: (I now suffer from depression, ocd, anxiety, & adhd) inability to sweat(you itch like crazy & can't tolerate heat (& direct sunshine) for only a few minutes), stamina/shortness of breath(so forget sports/running/exercising very long), impotence..... and the list goes on. If this sounds like fun, then take all this vitamin B(S)-3 you want! 99% of neurologists let alone general family doctors/ PCPs who recommend it to patients freely DO NOT know that serious side effects can occur supplementing this supposedly "safe" Niacin(B-3). Caution is advised! Is it really worth the risk? Read More Read Less

Report this postFill 3Created with Sketch.
Age: 55-64 | On supplement for 5 to less than 10 years |
12/5/2015
Condition: Other
Overall rating 4.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I took large doses of niacinamide and MSM but I have found if I place these under my tongue I can get by just fine with just a few milligrams. The taste is not pleasant though. I'm still taking 3mg of the boron.

Report this postFill 3Created with Sketch.
Age: 55-64 | On supplement for 1 to less than 2 years |
8/11/2015
Condition: Other
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I never want to go a day without 600mg niacinamide, 3mg boron and 5g MSM. My knee pain is too painful otherwise. Takes 24hr to work.

Report this postFill 3Created with Sketch.
Denver | Age: 55-64 | On supplement for 1 to 6 months |
7/8/2015
Condition: Other
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Started taking Niacin 50mg daily and slowly increased to 150mg after each meal (450mg/d). Rite Aid was only place I found that sells 100mg tabs and so I half one with pill cutter. My primary Dr. suggested taking in lieu of statins for elevated cholesterol but have yet to have blood test to check efficacy. I stopped flushing when my body adjusted to dosage but I've also found I am much calmer. You would never know because I'm a successful, functional, nervous wreck but I have a struggled with a nervous condition that causes social anxiety and panic attacks as well as some insomnia for years. Vit. B3 has greatly reduced and ultimately controlled my social nervousness and I cannot express how 'normal' I feel now that I've started taking it. I did research and discovered niacin was used decades ago to treat psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia. No doubt pharmaceutical companies would never benefit nor want known all the uses of this inexpensive wonder supplement. Just wished I had known years ago. Read More Read Less

Report this postFill 3Created with Sketch.
Zell | Age: 65-74 | On supplement for less than 1 month |
6/20/2015
Condition: Other
Overall rating 4.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I was Vitamin D deficieny.

Report this postFill 3Created with Sketch.
Jayme | Age: 55-64 | On supplement for 1 to less than 2 years |
6/12/2015
Condition: Other
Overall rating 4.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I have been taking niacin for over a year now. I take 2000 mg in the morning with breakfast. It is the quick release. Sure I flush, but it is gone in 15 minutes. I did build myself up to the 2000mg slowly. My blood work is great, It also helped my spider veins go away in my legs.

Report this postFill 3Created with Sketch.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT USER-GENERATED CONTENT ON WEBMD

The opinions expressed in WebMD User-generated content areas like communities, reviews, ratings, or blogs are solely those of the User, who may or may not have medical or scientific training. These opinions do not represent the opinions of WebMD. User-generated content areas are not reviewed by a WebMD physician or any member of the WebMD editorial staff for accuracy, balance, objectivity, or any other reason except for compliance with our Terms and Conditions.

Read More