Niacin and Itching: What Users Say

• Kat...
• July 22, 2017

For Depression "I had severe depression on and off the past few years. This time around, it was unbearable and I was literally falling apart mentally. Sadness and torment that would not go away, anxiety, and lack of sleep for over a year, etc. I refused to take synthetic meds and decided to give niacin a go. It worked pretty much instantly. I started on about 300mg (severe flush like sunburn and itchy skin), then calmness. I was upping the dosage almost each time, and flushes eased eventually. Now (2 weeks later) I take 1500mg 2-3 times a day, and the flush is slight with warm face and chest. Sadness is gone, and I feel much more 'with it'. It seems to be blocking unwanted thoughts. Hands down, a true depression cure."

• NJ-...
• July 24, 2019

For Depression "It's 7/24/19. I just started this on 7/20. Been taking Viibryd for about 6 months now (40mg). It was working fine for a while, but I started to see the benefits waning. I bought 1,000 of the 500mg tabs. I took 1,000mg the first day. The flush was a little intense for about 45 minutes (itching and flushing of skin). It went away and my depression did too! The next day I took 1,500 mg. The flushing was not as bad as the day before and I felt great. I've been taking 2,000mg a day and I've felt better than I have for 25 years. I think my sweet spot is between 1,500 and 2,000mg per day. As of today, the flushing is VERY minor. I suggest you try this. Now... I'm a type 2 diabetic on medication for control (no insulin). I heard that this can increase sugar in the blood. I hope this doesn't make me have to stop. I'm hoping I can wean off of the Viibryd. This niacin seems like a magical drug, and the best part is it's not a drug... it's a vitamin!!!"

• Bee...
• April 7, 2011

Niacin 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."

• bab...
• March 19, 2013

Niacin 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."

• Anonymous
• September 19, 2011

Niacin 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."

• bew...
• February 13, 2011

Niacin 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."

• toc...
• October 16, 2011

For High Cholesterol "After two years of taking 1 g per day, I developed a rash; at first with itch, then it seemed to be like a very bad sunburn. Areas affected included ankles, legs, thighs, belly, and biceps. A trip to the doctor, I stopped taking and went home to lots of cool showers. After a week of walking around the house naked (just the touch of clothes caused burning and itching), the rash has begun to subside."

• Me-...
• October 31, 2016

For High Cholesterol "I take a small amount, maybe 1/4 cup, of applesauce with my niacin or Niaspan at night and have no flushing. It also works with half of an apple. It must be the pectin in the apples that stops the flushing, but it works 100% of the time for me. But I've been having problems at night-indigestion, a weird feeling in my chest, itching, and sleeplessness, so I am going to start taking it in the morning."

• bra...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 25, 2013

Niacin for High Cholesterol "My cholesterol has dropped 21 points since I started taking niacin. The only side effects I experience are flushing of the body (like prickly heat) and itching sensations."