Niaspan User Reviews & Ratings

Niaspan has an average rating of 6.0 out of 10 from a total of 28 reviews on Drugs.com. 50% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 23% reported a negative experience.

Condition	Avg. Rating	Reviews	Compare
High Cholesterol	5.8	26 reviews for High Cholesterol	56 medications
Hyperlipoproteinemia	9.0	1 reviews for Hyperlipoproteinemia	47 medications
Hyperlipoproteinemia Type IV, Elevated VLDL	8.0	1 reviews for Hyperlipoproteinemia Type IV, Elevated VLDL	32 medications

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Reviews for Niaspan

Tra...
July 29, 2013

For High Cholesterol "Age 51. I went to get my regular blood work with my doctor. My cholesterol has always been >200 and I have a family history of heart attack and stroke. I tried everything over the years, including Crestor, which was an absolute disaster for me after only 4 doses. Since then, I have tried the natural methods: Red Yeast Rice (may as well be on a statin, the side effects are basically the same) and lots of fish and krill oil. I was disappointed that my bad cholesterol was still high after all that, and my number was 219 total. Based on my unwillingness to try another statin, my doctor suggested a 500mg pill of Niaspan to be taken nightly. I have experienced no flushing as yet after a month on it and really no bad side effects. New blood results: 192! I will check back in 3 months."

8 / 10

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62 Report

Ash...
December 21, 2010

For High Cholesterol "We believe this medication, Niaspan, has caused liver failure in our father, that is what the doctors told us. So, please, anyone on this, please have your liver function tested. It is easily done by a blood test."

1 / 10

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62 Report

Bee...
April 7, 2011

For High Cholesterol "I have taken Niaspan 2000 mg for several years now. It has had great success in raising my HDL and keeping my triglycerides low. For years, I had minimal problems with flushing. But now, recently, I have had a number of episodes where I have woken up in the middle of the night with almost unbearable itching/burning skin. I took a break from the Niaspan for a couple of nights, and then when I tried it again, the itching was worse. I am going to have to discontinue this and consult with my doctor about what to do next to keep my numbers good."

5 / 10

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53 Report

Frequently asked questions

How long does niacin stay in the human system?

Anonymous
Taken for 2 to 5 years
April 29, 2012

For High Cholesterol "Problems with flushing until the doctor told me not to eat strawberries or chocolate in the evening. I can eat them before lunch. I take Niaspan on going to bed. I eat 2 Graham crackers and 8 oz of milk when I take it. This has resolved all my problems with the medicine."

6 / 10

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44 Report

pri...
Taken for 2 to 5 years
April 23, 2013

For High Cholesterol "I take 1000 mg two times a day. Taking 325 mg of aspirin before I take the Niaspan helps with the flushing. I have been on Niaspan for about 3 years now, my numbers are down 10%. The little bit of flushing I do get is a lot better than the severe joint pain I had with the statin medications. I recommend taking Niaspan. It is working for me."

9 / 10

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38 Report

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bab...
March 19, 2013

For High Cholesterol "Woke up and felt like I was on fire. Skin was red, and my heart was pounding. Nauseated and very itchy. Calling my doctor in the morning. It is not worth it. This has happened twice, but this time it is worse. Feel very sick from it. My skin is so red."

3 / 10

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36 Report

Jes...
October 15, 2009

For High Cholesterol "I participate in a Niaspan clinical trial and take 2000 mg/day along with Zocor and Zetia. I'm 65 and have severe arteriosclerosis. This combination of drugs has made a dramatic difference in my cholesterol numbers. I find that I don't have the 'flushing' (actually more like BURNING) if I take the Niaspan EVERY night and follow the aspirin, applesauce, and wheat crackers technique. It's rather a hassle, but I think worth the trouble."

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40 Report

lov...
August 19, 2009

For High Cholesterol "I started on Niaspan for 2 months, 500 at night. I had no problems at all. I took an aspirin 1/2 hr. before, then ate a snack, cottage cheese, and never had flushing or anything. I was to take two 500 a night. But when I checked the price at Wal-Mart, they were $15.00 for a 30-day supply. I just bought the flush-free niacin, been taking them now for a week, and still no flushing or felt no different. I have no problems so far with them. As soon as I have my blood test again, I will let you know how they did for me."

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39 Report

Anonymous
September 19, 2011

For High Cholesterol "When major diet changes and exercise hardly changed cholesterol at all, I was started on 1500 mg Niaspan. I do experience flushing several times a month. Wake up hot and feel like I am burning up and itchy all over. If it delays another heart attack like 14 years ago, it is a small price to pay."

9 / 10

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35 Report

Anonymous
January 16, 2011

For High Cholesterol "Went on niacin @ 8000 mg fifteen years ago. Now on Niaspan at 2000 mg for the last five years. First medicine that has worked well with my body. My HDL stays in the 70s and total cholesterol under 120. Dosing time and other foods have to be managed to suppress flushing."

8 / 10

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29 Report

Tra...
Taken for 1 to 2 years
July 16, 2014

For High Cholesterol "Posted about a year ago here after I first started a 500 mg nightly regimen of Niaspan. For a while, it appeared as though I would not have the usual side effect of burning skin. However, the acid reflux I began experiencing began to worsen over time along with gastric problems at night. Then, as an active person who is involved in teaching cardio boxing classes, I began to experience weird feelings in my chest along with a more pronounced heartbeat during and after exercise. Felt like I swallowed a basketball at times. Also could not have any alcohol, beer, or wine while taking this. I decided to stop taking it in fear of creating an arrhythmia or stroke during my exercise, which also is my job. This is day one off of it and I feel better."

4 / 10

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23 Report

Anonymous
Taken for 1 to 6 months
June 27, 2012

For Hyperlipoproteinemia Type IV, Elevated VLDL "I have been taking Niaspan ER 2000 mg for three months. I am scheduled to get my first lab tests to determine its effectiveness in lowering my elevated Lpa level and whether my liver function is okay. I have noticed that the medicine needs to be taken by 9:30 or 10:00 pm. If I take the medication too late in the evening, I still can feel the effects of Niaspan when I get up for work the next morning. I also noticed that taking it with water alone causes the symptoms to be much worse than taking it with a small glass of milk or snack. So I take it before 10 pm with a small glass of milk or snack, and there seems to be very few symptoms."

8 / 10

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25 Report

Lol...
Taken for 10 years or more
December 29, 2018

For High Cholesterol "I took the maximum dose of Niaspan for over ten years. The drug raised the uric acid levels in my body and gave me horrible gout attacks and raised my blood sugar levels to prediabetic. Do not take this drug."

2 / 10

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14 Report

Anonymous
August 4, 2009

For High Cholesterol "After a few days of taking this medication, I was awoken in the middle of the night with the warm red rash on my abdomen, which was also extremely itchy. After 3 consecutive nights of the same reaction, I discontinued the medicine and called my doctor. He changed my prescription to another cholesterol medicine."

5 / 10

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25 Report

bew...
February 13, 2011

For High Cholesterol "I've been on Niaspan for about 2 months, and it has been like a miracle medicine for my condition. I suffer from ulcers really bad on my fingers. Before starting the Niaspan, I had ulcers on every finger on both hands (very, very painful). I was on pain medications constantly, however, I'm now off the pain medications since last week. Ulcers are drying up tremendously. The flushing is awful, the burning and itching are hard to describe. I called my doctor, and he said we can try something else, but this is working, and I'm trying to hang with it."

8 / 10

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22 Report

GLA...
Taken for less than 1 month
March 18, 2014

For High Cholesterol "Niaspan was prescribed by my doctor for lipid protein little a. My cholesterol was about 400+. I took one dose (500 mg) at night, and within 30 minutes, I was in the emergency room with anaphylactic shock. I don't remember much of anything until I woke up the next morning and was told how bad it almost was for me. I take 8 statins to maintain a cholesterol of 200."

1 / 10

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17 Report

Tra...
Taken for 6 months to 1 year
July 18, 2014

For High Cholesterol "Off it completely for 2 days now. Acid reflux much better and more importantly no Pronounced heart beats or racing. Feeling normal again thank God. I truly believe after my experience with both Niaspan and Crestor is that they actually starve your heart of the Oxygen it needs if your an athlete. Heart rate problems or potential Arrhythmia's may not be revealed in people who have more sedentary lifestyles. The fact that the new recommendation is to stack COQ10 with the statins should prove that they can rob your heart of energy when you work it hard during intense exercise. "

4 / 10

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14 Report

Tik...
Taken for 2 to 5 years
November 16, 2019

For High Cholesterol "I have taken Niaspan 1000 mg for several years now. It has had great success in raising my HDL (from 31 to 39) and keeping my triglycerides low. First time I took it my heart rate went up to 160, I went to emergency room not knowing what is going on with my heart, heart rate came down in hour. No problem since then, I take it with Milk and mix cereal. I tried to stop it for six months and my HDL gone Low to 34 and my triglycerides gone high 203."

9 / 10

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8 Report

Anonymous
November 24, 2010

For High Cholesterol "Been taking time-release 2000 mg at night for three years now, don't know why it's so expensive, but it's the only thing that has ever raised my good cholesterol. If I wake up in the middle of the night, I do have the heat feelings, but can live with it. Whatever raises my good cholesterol is the best I can do, since it's so low!"

9 / 10

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16 Report

bad...
October 27, 2010

For High Cholesterol "I've been taking it for five years now. I've only had one episode of flushing since starting this medication. I took a Zantac at the same time as the 2000 mg Niaspan, and I woke up feeling like I was on fire. But I've had no problems since then."

10 / 10

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13 Report

Jan...
Taken for 5 to 10 years
February 27, 2019

For High Cholesterol "I have been taking Niaspan 2000 for the last 8 years with ok results. But the last time I went to the Dr. my cholesterol was 220. The Dr put me on Zetia since I cannot take statins. Unfortunately Zetia had the same reaction on my body as statins. Terrible joint pain. After only 10 days I had to stop. I was hoping it would be the answer but it wasn't. I went back on Niaspan. I watch what I eat and have been a vegetarian for 45 years. Dr said it was hereditary that my liver makes too much cholesterol and it was not my diet. I am at the end of my rope now if the Niaspan stops working. Suggestions?"

7 / 10

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6 Report

Fra...
August 2, 2017

For High Cholesterol "Had high Triglycerides for more than a decade. Was on Niaspan for much of that time. Little or no impact on my numbers (continually had 400 level Triglycerides or higher) My daughter, a nursing student, suggested I look at something different. Finally moved to Lopid. Take 1 pill when I wake up, and one 30 minutes before my evening meal. Since taking Lopid, I've not had a number higher than 150, and I'm eating what I want. I realize that Niaspan might work for some. But if it's not working for you, I strongly recommend trying Lopid."

1 / 10

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7 Report

Nic...
March 10, 2015

For Hyperlipoproteinemia "I must be really rare because my condition is low cholesterol. My body does not produce enough niacin. My bad cholesterol is at a normal range so are my lipids. I have been on Niaspan for 6 years at least. My cholesterol levels have been steady since. I am at the maximum dose of 2000mg a day. The only problem with it is the flushing. I hate it! I take it at night with a bowl of cereal and a 325 mg entrophen to reduce the flushing."

9 / 10

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7 Report

42a...
January 16, 2015

For High Cholesterol "I have been taking 1500 mg at bedtime for about 4 years. It has lowered my cholesterol some but I'm also taking Zetia and Crestor too at this time. (I have Familial High Cholesterol about 380) I have flushing, but it is mild compared to regular Niacin which I could never tolerate. Flushing is worse if I forget and skip a day. Drinking water helps with the flushing."

8 / 10

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5 Report

Anonymous
June 24, 2009

For High Cholesterol "I've been on it for about 10 days now, and it seems to be working well."

8 / 10

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28 Report

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