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Niacin and Anxiety: What Users Say

Brand names: Niaspan, Vitamin B3, Slo-Niacin, Heliocare Advanced, Niacor, B-3-50, B3-500-Gr Niacin SR NiaVasc Endur-acin HDL Benefit …show all brand names

Anxiety: mentioned by 5 users (4.3%)

Based on user experiences from 117 Niacin reviews, the following table shows the most commonly mentioned side effects.

All user comments are moderated by Drugs.com. Each review is verified for relevance and screened for inappropriate content. Side effects are user-reported and not clinically verified.

flushing 31.6%
itching 7.7%
burning 6.0%
rash 6.0%
anxiety 4.3%
depression 3.4%
acid reflux 2.6%
headaches 2.6%
joint pain 2.6%

Reviews for Niacin

Showing 5 reviews tagged with "anxiety". Clear filters to view all 117 reviews.
Commonly mentioned side effects
  • Cho...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • February 24, 2016

For Depression "I began taking niacin 2 years ago for high cholesterol, and after 3 months of taking the vitamin at 500mg/day my cholesterol levels dropped from 260 to 210 with improved LDL and HDL as well. I upped the dose to 1000mg a day and have been taking it for 2 years, with the current cholesterol level of 189. Not only did I notice a reduction in cholesterol, but I also began to feel better and happier. I stopped taking niacin last month, and after 1 week, I started experiencing previous anxiety and depression problems that I had been plagued by before niacin. I had no idea niacin was so effective in helping with depression until I stopped taking it. I'm back on it now and have no worries."

10 / 10
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269 Report
  • Cla...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • October 30, 2019

For Depression "My (male) partner gets a low mood and anxiety. Within a few days of taking niacin (no flush), he is a different person: upbeat, positive, and happy. If he stops taking it, negative symptoms return. I'd much rather this natural remedy than drug-based antidepressants."

10 / 10
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75 Report
  • Hot...
  • August 15, 2018

For Depression "This review is for both niacin and niacinamide. Got off Zoloft after taking it for only 2 weeks due to its insane side effects and worsening depression! Had a psychiatrist appointment coming up in two weeks from that point, which was the beginning of the week. After being diagnosed with Bipolar 2, I’ve suspected being over-methylated, which could be the reason I didn’t fare well with SSRIs. I took niacinamide 500 mg and wow! Boost of energy, positivity, and optimism! However, it only lasted for like 4 days. Hypomania? I’ve tried up to 1500 mg a day for a few days, and that feeling never came back, just some low mood and anxiety only. I then read that flush niacin would be more effective. So I bought niacin 100 mg. Took like 500 mg to flush, and it gave me a sense of calmness and prevention of lower moods. Same thing, only lasted for a few days. I went up as much as 1800 mg/day, split doses, and never got a consistent effect. Already threw away bottles. Wouldn’t try again."

3 / 10
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45 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • Mic...
  • July 15, 2013

For Niacin Deficiency "I discontinued use due to nervousness/anxiety that I felt was caused by the niacin."

2 / 10
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5 Report
  • Mic...
  • July 15, 2013

For Niacin Deficiency "I discontinued use due to nervousness/anxiety that I felt was caused by the niacin."

2 / 10
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5 Report

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