Niaspan drug

[Wile E]

I dont know if any of you guys take this drug but I have a question for you.

My wife has to take this and she was told that in 2 weeks that "flushing" goes away. Is this true? This drug is taken before bedtime and while you are sleeping the flushing effect takes place. Apparently the flushing feels like your skin is real hot I guess. My wife stopped taking this a while ago and was told by the doctor to start again.
 

[CAROGATOR]

That flushing won't completely go away. You can ease it off by taking aspirin with it. start with 81 mg and go up til it becomes tolerable. There is another form of niacin that isn't as bad to take, ask the Dr. for it. Eat a lot of okra instead for the same effect of lowering chloresterol.
 

[Dan50]

I've taken it for a few years I guess. No, those symptoms have never completely gone away for me. Definitely take it at bedtime not in the morning. You don't want the flushing symptoms while you're driving or at work.

For me I feel the symptoms about once every 3 wks or so on average. Sometimes it starts as feeling itchy and then you get really itchy and feel the flushing effects. Sometimes I only feel itchy. When you feel the flushing effects it can be pretty intense and you have to remind yourself that it will go away relatively soon and that something else isn't going on.
 

[RayP(MI)]

Taking Niacin 1500mg. Usually take it in the evening at bed time - Used to get quite a reaction. Now taking a version sold as "flush free" - read the label, a little more expensive, but well worth it. No more reactions. That flush thing isn't pleasant.
 

[Rick Kr]

Be careful. Niacin is used to raise your good chorlesterol, HDL. But, in a lot of cases you have to take WAY more than the daily recommended allowance to move your chorlesterol. The main side effect, is the high doses of chorlesterol is very hard on your liver. Plus the "flushing", itching and other things already mentioned.

I would be careful, the treatment may be worse than the symptom.

All of the above info came from my doctor (and lifelong friend). I have low HDL, not too bad though. We together decided more exercise and a better diet would be better than niacin.

My two cents,
Rick
 

[Cold Beer]

I was told by the doc to take two regular asprin, 30 minutes before the niacin. Said I wouldn't have the flushing. He lied. I quit taking the niacin.
Told the doc I wasn't gonna take it. He just said okay.
 

[gab]

About 10 years ago I took that stuff for 28 days with the normal I guess hot flushing, then on the way to work the next morning I thought I was having a allergic reaction. I know what that's like because I'm allergic to aspirin, hives, eyes swell and it's tough to breath. Anyway I was burning up and went to the emergency room with bright red skin that looked like 80 grit sandpaper. The em crew new right away what was wrong and gave me an i v of benadryl I think, with instructions to stay away from the niaspan.
My older brother takes the stuff with no problem except the occasional blushing
 

[Walt Davies]

They put my wife it and she turned all kinds of red. Got her the emergency room. It almost Xmas the doctor called said she OK but don't take anymore. He then said I should just hang her on the tree as red as she was.
Walt
 

[Bendee]

check it out with the search engine, says better taken within 30 minutes of having a meal, don"t drink hot beverages. etc.
 

[Bud Tierney]

Whenever taking ANY new drug ask the dispenser for the INSERT, usually anything from a one column sheet 2-3 feet long to a half-bedsheet sized paper with lots and lots of miceprint...
What you generally get is the "handout" which often just hits the high spots on side affects, contra-indications etc...
If your dispenser refuses to give it to you (they often feel the lists of WARNINGS, SIDE EFFECTS, CONTRAINDICATIONS, PRECAUTIONS, ADVERSE REACTIONS (and other more euphemistic terms) are so frightening the recipient won't take the drug) punch up XXXX side effects or XXXX problems online
 

[Fawteen]

While everything you say is true, I'm a living example of the other end of the scale.

I had very bad cholesterol numbers. With a family history of early death from cardio-vascular issues (Mom was 41 when she passed, Dad was 67) the Doctor was VERY concerned. Diet and exercise had virtually no impact whatever, my problem was genetic not dietary.

I've been on 2000mg/day of niacin for over 20 years now. If I forget the aspirin or don't take it right after eating I will occasionally get some flushing, otherwise no issues.

I get a full blood panel every Spring including all indicators for liver problems (which, as you say, is the worst side effect of massive doses of niacin) and there are no issues as of yet.

My numbers are perfect, and the cost is about $30/year.

Like most medications, some folks can tolerate it, some can't.
 

[Rick Kr]

That is good information to know that you are having no side effects.

The reason I say that, because after two years of diet and hard exercise my good cholesterol went down even more! My doctor is not real concerned as long as my bad does not go up. For the time being no Niacin for me, but in the future it may be something I have to talk about.

This is the great thing about this board, you can post a question and get peoples actual results.

Rick
 

[Dennis (VA)]

I have been taking it for at least 10 years though I did switch from Niaspan to straight niasin (same thing without reaction limiter which never seemed to do much) and it is significantly cheaper. Has worked wonder for my colesterol problem ( 220 to 125). The reaction does go away after a week or two. Just have to put up with it.