I started taking NIASPAN last Wednesday night 500mg and on Thurda...

Anykind of Niacin, including Niaspan takes some time to get used to. One dose does not predict how you will ultimately adjust. I've been taking Niaspan for six months and have seen my cholesterol fall into the normal range. However, I do get flushing and itching once in a while after taking it. The ER (extended release) version of Niaspan is supposed to minimize these effects but you must follow their directions, including drinking nothing warm for a while after taking the dose (warm drinks cause it to dissolve faster).

We're between a rock and a hard place with cholesterol control. I took Lipitor for 6 months and ended up with neuropathy, a well known if little publicized side effect. The neuropathy went away a few months after discontinuing Lipitor. I'll take the occasional moderate flushing from niacin over the nerve damage from statins any day.

My doctor prescribe me Niaspan 1,000 mg, I was not told of the side effect, took one pill, two hours later woke up my face burning, then the body, then the itching, my skin turn red, I call the doctor, that’s when my physician assistance tells me, I suppose to take aspirin, one think she forget I take blood thinners, then she tells me the effects will end in an hour, they lasted 3. Sorry never taking that medication again, I'm 34 years old, Lupus survivor; this is not a side effect I'm willing to live with.