Niaspan symptoms and conditions

I was prescribed 500mg Niaspan in hospital following bypass surgery.Doctor nor nurse advised me of side effects which I complained about shortly after taking and advised what I experienced was normal. Heat,flushing from neck up that lasted about 1/2 hour. Been taking for 10days now but symptoms are not daily and still last about 1/2 hour. Tonight I took pill at 9PM and heat,flushing feeling started over 2 hours later and diminishing after 30minutes.

September 8,2009
I took Niaspan 500mg on September 8, 2009 and begin to feel as if my body was on fire. I was scared, nervous, and panicked. It lasted about 20 minutes. I was considering going to the emergency room, but then it ended. The next day I saw blood in my left eye. I contacted my physician and he suggested to disregard the Niaspan and try to use Zetia 10mgs for only 4 weeks to lower my cholesterol and continue to a pursue a healthier diet with fruits, vegetables, and less fatty foods.

I'm taking Niaspan ER tabs I have been taking it for two months now.
I had a side effect a flush of heat comes over you and itching, headaches. I was taking this for three weeks never had a problem. I called my doctor
she asked did I take the aspirin I told her no. You suppose to take aspirin with every dose. I had headaches also take a snack with every dose. I had know more problem with Nisapan ER tabs.

C.

So glad I found this on the internet. I started taking Niaspan about 6 months ago..500mg at bedtime. I had some flushing, but nothing memorable. I have noticed that I will wake up with my heart beating fast, but I went right back to sleep each time. But, last night, I woke up at 1:30 am on fire..itchy, burning...and burning bad. It covered my face, upper chest, upper arms, buttocks, and the back of my thighs. Like many have said here, it felt like a very bad sunburn. My skin was hot to the touch, and red. I was so shocked and scared, that I almost went to the ER. It lasted for about 20 minutes, but then I got nauseated. I thought I was having a heart attack. I barely sleep all morning. I decided to search the internet, and found your posts. Thank you! I suspected it might be my niaspan, but then it could of been shingles or some heart problems. Know I have my answer. I'm calling my doctor first thing tomorrow. No more for me.

After taking a 500mg Niaspan last night 1/2 hour after taking it I had this reaction: Hot flush in my upper body, face,neck and arms.
Happened out of the blue. got scared.
Went to the bathroom and washed my face with cold water.
Came over to the iMac (computer) Googled Niaspan allergic reactions, found this site and was mentally relieved to note that this was a common side effect of this drug.
Consumed 10 oz of water calmed down and fell better within 6 or 7 minutes.
While some people curse the amount of info on the net I am not one of them.
I am really glad that people share info like I am doing.
I suggest though if any of the side effects are worse then mine yo go to the ER and if you cant hit 911.

I have been taking 40mg lipitor for over 9 years now.

I have had back issues since an injury to one disc (L4?), and had microdiscectomy in 2001? Took about two years to actually get close to normal.

The last few years, I have had multiple issues with shoulder pain, wrist pain, elbow pain, lower back pain, Upper rump muscle pain , and now both hips are killing me (the shoulder, upper rump muscles and hips are by far the worst). And I am now so weak in my lower back muscles, that it feels like I will (and do) pull out my back.

I have seen NO many doctors I can't even name them all. I have had operations, multiple injections (cortisone) taken pain meds, etc. Nothing has helped and in the last year and a half, I have gotten steadily worse. To the point where I can't really do much of any activity. Sleeping at night is painful. Can't lie on left shoulder, and can't lie on either hip for more than a few minutes. If I fall asleep on my side, the pain wakes me up. When I try to walk, 80% of the time, I end up with a pain in my upper right rump (sacroiliac area), that I MUST sit down to get the intense pain to go away, which it does. But comes right back when I walk again.

I have had x-rays, MRIs etc, and never reveals all that much. Disc issues, yes. NOt much else.

Recently, I have begun to get a nasty clicking (catching) on my left jaw (joint?). Not really painful, but something definitely wrong. My dentist sent me to his Chiro. I went and liked him right away. I had gone to another chiro for years and I believe in them. But this one is the best I have seen.

Anyway, one of the FIRST things he suggested, was that it was POSSIBLE that the Lipitor is causing all of my problems. Put me on COQ10, and doing multiple adjustments and treatments. I will be seeing my regular doctor 5/26, and my chiro wants me to see if he will take me off lipitor and put me on Niaspan instead.

I guess my question is: Can Lipitor be fine with me for so long, and then in such a short period of time, turn me into a compete wreck from the pain and wasting away of my body/muscles? I've told doctors for over a year now that there is SOME connection as to all these issues and pain. One Doctor, of course, gave me the "you are getting old" bull. Yes, I am 56 yrs old. But I understand the process of getting old, vs the complete failing of ones body.

Also, IF it is the Lipitor, can it possible all go away? Or should I expect some damage forever?

One more thing, the last ortho I went to the other day for a second opinion, wants me to do a EMG, to see if there is muscle damage. I was not planning on doing it, but wonder now, should I? He was not doing it because of lipitor, as he never even talked about that to me. I had shoulder operation and have not had the results I feel I should have had.

I was prescribed Niaspan ER, and the first night I took the 81 mg aspirin an hour before. So this was 11 pm. I tried to get to sleep, as I do usually have a hard time getting and staying asleep anyway.. BUT, four hours later, I had this severe face flush, I had burning in my ears, my face, my neck and as I was told I might have this, I tried to remain calm.. then the ITCHING started up, I wanted to rip off my skin, I itched so badly! I scratched my wrists, then my upper legs, my stomach area.. even ripped open a little sore there... this itching almost drove me crazy! I admit I got panicky.. and my heart started racing and I felt like my throat was closing up.. this is something I experience with my allergy to contrast dyes... I swore I'd never take another Niaspan! Scared the heck out of me. I don't know what else I will be able to take to lower my triglycerides and total cholesterol. I am 56 and just found out with an EKG that I have had a heart attack already. So this is all scary to me, but the burning and itching and rapid heartbeat don't seem worth it to me! Anyone else have this kind of experience? What did you do? thanks

I started Niaspan at a 500mg dosage. I'm taking it before I go to sleep, with a baby aspirin at the same time (not before), and a bit of water. The first night, within 1-2 hours of taking it, I got a flush that lasted about 30min. It started at the head, and went down to my toes gradually. It felt as if my skin was on fire. Moving even slightly in bed was making me itch. I stayed, still, in bed, bedsheets and blanket off, breathing slowly, trying to relax, until it went away. I was a bit scared, but since I had read beforehand that flushing is a side effect, I did not worry. For the first 2-3 months, I had a couple more flushing episodes, but only in the upper part of my body (head, shoulder, not down to stomach).

My dosage was increased to 1000mg (2 pills of 500mg). This did not really trigger worse or more frequent flushes. I did not flush (or I did not feel it) the first night with increased dosage. I still get one flushing episode maybe once a month, but only at the head and shoulders.

I have changed my diet to remove beef, butter, eggs, and I switched to skim milk, nonfat yogourt, low-fat cheese if any. I cook with olive oil. I eat oatmeal or breakfast cereal with as much fiber as I can get.

I've been on Niaspan for less than 1 year, and I think I get flushes when I eat fatty foods. Another person mentioned this in this discussion. I'm actually pretty certain my flushes are triggered by fatty foods.

Last night I ate Indian food ("butter" chicken) which had a creamy sauce. Very yummy, so probably very fatty. I also had dessert (something I rarely have), a pecan pie with chocolate filling. Gorgeous. But I got serious flushing at 4am (almost 8 hours after taking Niaspan!), although it only went down to my stomach, not lower than that. I got up at 5h30 to get ready for work, I was still slightly itchy and my skin was a bit red (like a mild sunburn). I took a hot shower, which did not make it worse.

I really think that fatty foods trigger flushes: I make a conscious effort to keep my fat intake low, and I have few flushing episodes, but when I break that habit, I get flushes...

I am 62 years old and I was taking Lipitor 10 mg for the last 5 years in New York. When I moved to California the new doctor switched to Lipitor 20mg and I started to have strange side effects. After a pause of two days, I restarted and the symptoms were worse: my muscle in the upper arms, and my calves were hurting and week, my back ached, my head was empty nad I felt dizzy all the time.
I stopped two days ago and today I had blood in my urine. What's happening? should I go on any medication at all to lower my cholesterol? My new test was: 179 Cholesterol
HDL 71
LDL 95
I am too scared to start any other drugs like Crstor or Niaspan as I was recommended.
Please advise,

I've been taking Niaspan for about six weeks now; I started out at 500mg for the first three and I'm now on week three of 1000mg. I hadn't had any side effects and I was thrilled because I can't take statins (though I do take Lovaza with success). My doctor mentioned -- but did not stress -- the "take an aspirin ahead of time" or "eat something with it) thing, so I haven't been. Three nights ago I work up from a very weird dream about my house being on fire and couldn't go back to sleep, partly because I felt hot. I got up and looked in the mirror, and as others have described, I was beet red on my neck, chest, and arms, and very itchy and hot. The "rash" was mottled at the edges. It reminded me of sun poisoning. I wasn't sure what to do; it was 5 am and I knew my partner had a bad night with sleeping already, so I didn't want to wake her. I took a Benadryl. I was wide awake, so I got onto the computer to do some stuff (never thinking I should research the damn thing!), but about 20 minutes later, I felt itchy on my stomach. I went into the bathroom and looked again. My stomach and lower back were now getting it! Interesting. I went back to what I was doing, then about 10 minutes later, my stomach was hot, so I looked again. Now my stomach and all of my back were covered, and I noticed that my neck wasn't as red. Hmmmm... 20 minutes later I looked again, and now my neck and chest were pretty clear (but still itchy) and my butt and upper thighs were getting it (stomach and back still had it). I could actually feel it breaking out on my legs! 20 minutes later, my stomach and back were clear, and my legs were covered. about a half hour later, it was completely gone. I wracked by brain trying to figure out if it was something I ate, a new detergent, a drug interaction gone wrong, but I could think of nothing. I never associated it with the "flush" my doctor told me I could get. This was so much more than a flush. The next night I was so tired that I took a half an Ambien and slept through with no problems (and remember, I had no issues before this, at least that I could remember). I thought it was a fluke. I then spoke to my father yesterday about The Rash, and he asked if it could the the Niaspan, as he had taken it before (but the flushing had been too much and he stopped). I did some research and through that I found this page. Bingo! I had already taken the Niaspan, so I couldn't try the aspirin first. Last night, I woke up at 3 feeling hot and looked, and sure enough, it was starting on my face and neck. I took a Benadryl and went back to bed. I finally fell back to sleep. I'm still a little itchy, though nothing unbearable. Tonight I will try the aspirin a half hour before and eating something non-fatty with the Niaspan. I'll give it a week to help, then I'll call my doctor. I hate to give it up if it works because I am just about out of other options to lower my cholesterol.

I've been taking prescription Niaspan for about 2 1/2 months now and was warned by my doctor about the flushing. For the first month and a half all was fine but one night my wife and I were reading in bed when I suddenly felt like my face was on fire. My wife grew alarmed and said that I looked beet red. Within five minutes the feeling and red appearance had spread all over my body. We went over the day to see if I had done anything out of the ordinary and realized that I had eaten shrimp and clams for dinner at a Chinese buffet. I chalked it up to that. We shut off the light and went to sleep and when I woke up in the middle of the night to let the dog out I was back to normal. Last night was the second time now this has happened only this time I was sound asleep when it hit. I woke up suddenly to discover the same symptoms and it was painful to move even a finger. As soon as I moved ANYTHING I felt like I was being stung everywhere. My skin too was hot to the touch. I went on an agonizing walk to the bathroom to see what I looked like and I was fire-engine red from head to toe. Again I managed to go back to sleep but I still have some lingering effects of tingling even now as I write this. My wife told me this morning that I was being melodramatic. I told her she should try it and get back to me.

I have been taking 1,000 mg for about 6 month to lower my LDL to 70 mg from 107 mg. I also take 81 mg aspirin about 30 min. before I take my 1,000 mg Niaspan. My HDL and triglycerides are fine. Lipitor did not lower my LDL and Vitorin caused the tingling in my right arm. After discontinuing Vitorin, I was put on Niaspan. The flushing is OK but the itching on my back was horrible not to mention insomnia. Itching comes and goes but what worries me that recently I have developed the pain in my toes, (excluding the big toe) and when I get out of my bed my feet do not want to support me for at least 5-6 steps. I have been always able to walk for miles! I realized that one of the side effects of Niaspan is elevated concentration of uric acid (gout) or glucose (diabetic condition).
Any similar side effects?

I,too, am having hot flashes. I take 1000mg in the morning and 1000 right before bed. At night, I don't wake up to feel any effects, but during the day I start having these hot flashes. I can feel it coming on because my ears start to tingle, then feel warm; and it just moves right over my face. I feel like I have a bad sunburn. My eyes start to be shrunk in and my skin on my face begins to droop. I think these are hot flashes. They only last about 5 minutes, but when it's happening at work, it's embarrassing. Haven't talked to the doctor yet, but will bring it up at next appt. Is what I'm going through serious? I hope not.

Does anyone have cold feet with Niaspan? I take 1000 mg with applesauce at bedtime, and I also take a 81 mg aspirin about 30 min. to 1 hour prior to taking the aspirin. My feet are so cold and I cannot seem to get them warm. As a result, I cannot sleep at night. Please let me know if anyone else has this side effect.

Depression! Wow. I'm the world's most upbeat person but I've been slipping down the emotional slope for the past three months; wondered if it was the Niaspan I started taking at the same time. The Niaspan web site doesn't list it as a side effect, though, so I thank you all for putting your comments on this web site. I've been ready to do anything (even drastic action) to deaden the emotional pain.

I'm a scientist and will now eliminate the medication to see if I begin to feel better. I'd rather feel good than lower my bad cholesterol. What would be the point?

I don't know if it's the niaspan or something else, but I've developed a rash of all rashes from my neck to my legs. The itch is incredible and I've had it for four days now. I'm taking benedryl, but it makes me sleepy so I can't go to work. Anyone else had this problem? I just raised the dosage to the upper level from small and mid-range. I was on those 1 month each. I've now been on the high dosage for about two weeks. I stopped it two days ago. My CNP is out of town.......... YIKES! What do I do now?

After my heart attack 1 1/2 years ago, my cardiologist prescribed a statin. This dramatically reduced LDL from 125 to 72 within 2 months. But, after no improvement to the HDL, we switched to Crestor + Niacin. At first, I used a non prescription niacin (Slo-Niacin by Upsher Smith). Over the course of 1 year my HDL increased from 40 to 48. We decided that this improvement was too slow, so we substituted Niaspan ER (2000 mg) 6 months ago.
I was very disappointed to see my new lab report this week with the HDL back down to 42. (LDL continues to be no problem and is now 59.) My Doctor reports that I am her only patient who follows her recommendations including daily cardio exercise of 1 hour, good diet, and following medication regimen who demonstrates reduction of HDL with niaspan. We are going to try for 6 more months.
One theory (of mine) is that I have been taking 1000 mg of Niaspan at breakfast and 1000 mg at dinner, and perhaps, I should take all 2000 before bed. I started taking niaspan at meal routine to reduce side effects, and have had very little flushing. But, I will now try to take all 2000 mg at bedtime after a small snack and 1/2 hr after the aspirin. I'll report again after my next lab report, but am curious to know if anyone else has these disappointing results.

Began taking 500mg of niaspan after 81 mil of Bayer 30 minutes prior (at 11:00 in the am) about 3 weeks ago. Recommended at this time since I do enjoy my 2 glasses of red wine at night. I then take 10mg of Lipitor before bed. Side effects have been swollen lips that keep peeling, after many OTC lip balms, racing heart and unbelievable insomnia. Only had flushing the first day before nurse, not doctor, told me about aspirin. I don't know whether my allergic reaction is the Niaspan or the Lipitor. I also had mild nausea and foot cramps at night. The nausea has subsided but not my lip problem.

For one year prior to taking these drugs, I was on 10/40 of Vytorin but since all the negative results of that drug, my doctor has taken all his patients off of it.

This site has helped me understand that Im not alone on the side effects of the Niaspan ER . My doctor told me to take 500mg to start and I did the first night I was fine for about 2 hours then the flushing hit me ! I have never in my life been so scared ... I was swelling from my head to my feet .My lips tongue mouth and throat I was having trouble breathing then on top of that I was getting redder by the minute and burning along with the itching and chills. I started running a fever .... I took a cold shower while my husband called the ER . When I was able to get out of the shower I took a benadryl as to what the ER told me to do .But it did take some time for the side effects to calm down ... I called my doctor and said I refused to take this medication again .... So understand all medications my have side effects and can effect you differently then me but please be warned . Talk to your doctor about these side effects ......

I was a competitive runner with a number of sub 3 hour marathons under my belt before I was prescribed statins for elevated cholesterol 2 years ago. The first go round was 40mg zocor but muscle soreness and loss of strength started within 2 months. Switched to NIASPAN but couldn't tolerate it. The last 7 months have been on 10mg of Lipitor and now have intense pain in my legs, soreness in my wrist and thumb and swollen feet. I can still run but much less than before and much slower. I regularly go to the gym but have seen a steady decrease in the amount of weight I am able to lift. I have a blood test in a couple of days and will be looking for myalgia again. I have discontinued the statin and don't plan to start again. I was healthier before the DR decided to "help" me with my cholesterol problem.

I was on simcor, which is heavy dose of niacin plus simvastatin.Was taking simvastatin alon and i was fine.
my lipids and trygllicerides were very high so put me on this medication''
I'm sure its the niacin that is the culprit. sever itching on back and inner arms.

Was very red and hot to the touch.

I am now off of it for a week. Continue to have the itching and rash.
It has to be a reaction to the niacin, as that is when it started, I refuse to live with this, Will not take again.

Last night I woke up burning all over and about to explode from the firey heat. Made it to the bathroom where my husband found me, eyes fixed and unresponsive...I was worse than comatose...I was dying. He talked to me and keep me "with him" and was telling me he was going to call EMS when finally I began to comer out of it. My eyes were fixed and I could respond to him. I had turned a gray color.I will never take it again. I, in reality nearly died, not from discomfort, but from a whole system shut down. I had only taken 500Mg at bedtime for about a week. No More for me...ever!!! jcw in San Antonio

After about 8 weeks of taking the 500mg dose, I have experienced some skin crawling, maybe a little itch on occasion.

Tonight I took an aspirin at 8:30, and niaspon at 9:00. Went to bed at 10:00. At 1:30 am I woke up and I was on fire! Head to Toe, itching all over..Pure misery and hell, it was intolerable. I immediately an another aspirin, took a shower, scratched myself with a towel, rubbed myself with cortisone, and took another aspirin.. After about an hour the itching has subsided with an occasional skin crawl.

I wanted to see if anyone else has had these symptoms so I googled 'niaspin extreme itch' and it brought me here.

I am supposed to up my dose to 1000mg a day, but now I am really worried about this itch. I see that I am not alone.

My name is Charles and I had a major heart attack in 1998 after suffering through great stress. I now have 4 stents that work pretty well for me although each day without pain is a blessing and I am just not as energetic as I was BHA. My doctor recently told me I needed to increase the good cholesterol HDL and prescribed Niaspan to help. While trying to find a cheap alternative to Niaspan and even where to buy Niaspan at a reasonable cost, I came across this page and found out WHY my back was absolutely killing me. I took my office chair down to the garage blaming it for this pain. At Sunday School this morning I hurt so much I had to roll over on the floor and get up like from my hands and knees. Niaspan I conclude is causing all of the lower back pain. Niaspan's lower back pain I discovered is widespread. This crap should be taken off the market. Niaspan is total garbage and should be taken off the market.