User Reviews for niacin and niacinamide (vitamin b3)

I hate the iching and flushing. Hoping it will go away soon

took 2000mg/day flush-free niacin[puritan pride brand] and experienced gout in left foot witin two weeks,,tried niacin again after 2wks off and gout again after 2 wks,,suppose ill try regular niacin or niaspan as flushing side-effects cant be as bad as the gout was before i right-off niacin completely, i will give it a fair trial as i hesitate to go to a statin,,also taking 1200mg/day red yeast rice and 3000mg omega-3 fish oil/day as well as CQ-10[150mg] and trying to walk an hour every second day and have took butter,milk,ice cream,eggs and even beer off my menu as well as most processed meats and most fast food except chinese,,cholestrol has come down in 3 months but doc says lower so hence the niacin rematch and if that dont work ill increase the red yeast rice to 3000mg/day as its considered a natural statin before i go to lipitor etc.Read More Read Less

I slowly inceased doseage to 1500mg a day. It has made an incredible difference in my blood profile. I take 2 tylenol PM at the same time (bedtime). There are times I wake up on fire but the changes in my health are substantial.

I often have flushing, dizziness, hot burning sensation. I have an anxiety disorder and sometimes it causes me to go into a panic attack.

Take this drug just before you goto bed. You will sleep through the hot flashes and not exdperience any of the side effects

Niacin tablets keep the skeeters away (mosquitoes)

I have been on Niaspan for almost 30 days (27th day tonight). My first FLUSHING and ITCHING experience was on the 27th day. The only thing I did differently this evening, was taking NIASPAN with Grape Juice. Highly acidic and packed full of anti-oxidants. Similar, I suspect, as my experience would have been if taking pill with alcohol. Typically, I take 500mg at night with 1 aspirin (325mg) with glass of water. I have not experienced any flushing or itching. Sometimes, at least 1-2 hours prior to taking Niaspan and Aspirin, I will have had 1-2 glasses of wine (sometimes beer), and have not experienced any flushing or itching or other side effects. The Flushing and Itching experienced tonight (on the 27th pill) subsided after taking an extra dose of aspirin within 10-15 minutes. I have not had my blood workd completed since starting Niaspan 27 days agao. So far, the sided effects have been nill (save for the instance tonight/27th day); however, given the change in varialbes (i.e., taken with grape juice and 1 aspirin; as opposed to 1 aspirin and water with Niaspan), the Niaspan has worked for me thus far. Oh, and sometimes, my heart burn increases a bit at night while after taking Niaspan; however, I eat spicy food each meal!! Interesting, because I have read some consumer feedback that the side effects increase with the use of spicy food. Interesting.Read More Read Less

After 1 year of taking 1000 mg niacin daily, my ldl fell from 134 to 72, hdl rose from 81 to 141 (a .5 ratio!) and triglycerides fell from 227 to 105. Also taking 2000-4000 mg Omega-3 oils and red yeast rice. Had been using red yeast rice for about 3 yrs with slight lowering of ldl and triglycerides, but not enough. The flush is mitigated by aspirin if I remember it, but doesn't bother me much. I take 500 mg twice a day.

I was prescribed Niaspan for a low HDL (29). Although my LDL and total cholesterol were in the normal range. I was very hesitant after I read up on studies about the drug. The first day I took 1/2 of a baby aspirin 30 mins before taking Niaspan with no adverse effect. Second day, did the same thing. An hour later experienced severe burning sensation and my face and arms became bright red and blotchy. Third day (today) same thing, an hour later my entire body (face, arms, trunk, legs) became red and blotchy with severe burning sensation. My legs looked almost purple. Took a cold shower and when I got out experienced nausea, tinnitus, lightheadedness and felt as though I would pass out. Doctor told me to discontinue treatment.Read More Read Less

I'm back from the doctor and he said my cholesterol levels were wonderful! He said the Niacin F-F is doing better than the script "Niaspan" and it's a lot less expensive!! I am changing my effectiveness to 5 stars!

I'm on 3000 mgs. of Niacin Flush Free a day. I go tomorrow to get my 3 month bloodwork results - so we'll see how effective it really is. I had the flushing issue. My pharmacist said "take 2 baby aspirin 1 hour before taking this medicine." I WAS having hives before then and I cannot describe how horrible they were! Now, I have absolutely NO flushing effects. I think the key to avoiding the flushing and itching is taking 2 baby aspirin 1 hour before taking FLUSH-FREE Niacin. I hope tomorrow's reports will prove that the $9 OTC medicine is more effective than the $200 RX!!!! I have been on this F-F Niacin for 3 months and the only issue I am having now is always being cold.....I will ask about that tomorrow. I'd rather be cold than flush/itch anytime! Read More Read Less

I have been on Niaspan for a week. My cholesterol is normally low (160-180) but my HDL is also low. That is why my doctor put me on this drug. My first week at 500mg per day has not had the itching effects that everyone else had but I have been lathargic and have had cold chills every night so far. I have also had a history of unusual liver readings (high bellirubins) and after reading the dangers of this drug on my liver, I am wondering if it is a good idea to continue. I will try the first 30 days and then get my doctor to check my blood to see if any liver functions are affected. Liver failure is not the outcome I am looking for. I also am on Enalipril and HTCZ for blood pressure and am not sure how these will interact with Niaspan.Read More Read Less

I haven't been on it long enough to see the results but haven't had any of the episodes listed here except once. I eat 2 chewable 81mg aspirin 30 minutes prior and take the medicine with 2 spoons of applesauce. The only flushing episode I had was I had something come up and it was about 2 hours between the aspirin and the Niaspan. I followed my Drs recommendations and ate 5 chewable aspirin, took a benadryl and was back to sleep in 30 minutes with no flushing. Maybe that will work for some of you. Read More Read Less

other than flushing and itching have had no problems

Niacin or Slo Niacin is affective.**Note to prevent turning RED or iching..get FLUSH FREE Niacin.I had a bad reacting too , till i switch to Flush Free Niacin.Now , NO PROBLEMS

I have been taking Niaspan for about a week. I took the aspirin etc. and did not have a problem until last night. I awoke at 5 a.m.sweating like a pig with nausea and diarrhea. I got up to go to the bathroom and blacked out. My husband called an ambulance. My blood pressure dropped to 90/50 and I was white as a sheet. I feel twice hitting my head. After the sweats for two hours came the chills. This is on top of the flushing and feeling like I was tied to ant hill. I have tried to take this drug twice and the symptoms got worse each time. I think I am going to have to look for something else. I might be able to handle some flushing, but not unconsciousness! I'm afraid to try again.Read More Read Less

I have used niacin to lower cholesterol for 4 years with great results. My question to other reviewers concerning the flush side effect is, haven't you heard of the flush free variety of niacin? It works!

My doctor told me what to expect with the flushing, itching, etc. so I was totally prepared. He said to take it at night and with an aspirin (so I added the new Bayer with Plant Serols). I used to freak out and now I actually like it! It is totally worth it. Didn't know today's advertiser, Total, was a big Niacin source - I am adding that onto the regimen too.

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 of niacin is the effect explained below, called "niacin flush". Niacin causes the capillaries to get bigger, and the end result is the "flush". The increase in size of your capillaries causes, in some cases, a redness on your skin in the areas that it is occurring. This is the first part of niacin flush. The second reaction of niacin flush is the annoying, and sometimes painful itch that comes along with it. This itch is actually healthy! The reason you are experiencing this itch is because the niacin has allowed more blood to reach your cells to remove toxins from them. As toxins are carried away and your cell becomes healthier, it is finally able to "call" your body for help! Your body responds by sending what is called a histamine to the cell. Histamines cause you to itch, but they also allow your body to send more water, blood, and nutrients to the area that called them. To sum it all up, the niacin flush is actually a very healthy reaction from your body! You shouldn't be alarmed when you get it; actually the very opposite! It means your body is healing itself. You'll notice that after a certain dosage of niacin that eventually you will not receive the niacin flush any longer. Once you up the dosage, you may experience it again. Your doctor can recommend a good healthy dosage for you. I hope this helps clear up the common misconception that niacin is actually harming your body. So, when you get it, try to sit back, relax, cope with the short annoyance that it causes, and think about the GOOD that it is doing for your body. Remember, it WILL GO AWAY! Read More Read Less