Niaspan ER side effects

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.

Two days after taking my first Niaspan ER tablet I began felling itchy all over my body. The itchiness was so troublesome it kept me awake most of one night. I called my doctor's office to report the side-affect, which is listed as "serious" on the information page included with the prescription, but received no response. Obviously they don't care. In order to counteract the symptoms I took two XYZAL antihistamine tablets, which has eased the symptoms, somewhat. This may no be the most safe drug to take in order to lower high triglycerides blood levels.

I'm writing this at 4:50am as I am awake because of a flushing episode. I've been taking Niaspan ER 500mg to raise my good cholesterol for about 9 months. So far it's raised only from 33 to 36. Doctor wants it above 40. My bad cholesterol is fine.

This is probably the 4th time I've had one of these flushing attacks in 9 months. My skin is itchy from head to toe and my body looks like I have a sunburn. The itch is pretty intense almost burning. I never take aspirin before but I heard a low dose (81mg) is supposed to help. I actually just took an aspirin now however to see if it shortens this episode. I also noticed the first time this happened that clothing makes the itch even more intense. So needless to say I'm sitting in bed typing on my iPhone w/ out my shirt on trying to get through this.

I noticed the first couple times these seem to last only 20-30 minutes and this particular one is nowhere near as intense as the first time. Or perhaps I'm just more prepared for it because I was also thinking of going to the ER the first time. In case anyone wonders why this happens, I've read 'niacin converts to nicotinamide in the body, and this is when flushing occurs', during that conversion process. Anyhow I heard there was a flush free ' nicotinamide' form of the drug you can take if the flushing is too much or too often.

Well it's now 5:21am and it's starting to subside to a point where I might be able to sleep. I think removing clothing and trying not to move around or scratch too much certainly helps when you have one of the flushing attacks. Good luck everyone.

This is good to know I'm not the only one. I am so glad this website came up first because I too was ready to go to the ER. My doctor just prescribed this to me and tonight was my first night taking a 500 mg Niaspan tablet. About three hours later I woke up with my face on fire and tingling then it went all throughout my body. I was itching, tingling, burning, my skin looked like i had sunburn (was red), and hot to the touch. I am not sure if shortness of breath was a side-effect or it was just the anxiety of the situation. I also became very light headed and dizzy.
It has been about a half hour since this began and about 15 minutes since I took 2 Benadryl. Not sure what the outcome will be, but I will update how this works out, as well as what my doctor says tomorrow.

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.

500 mg - started last week. Woke up twice this week with face and neck feeling like the day after a bad sunburn. No itching. Rest of body fine. No rapid pulse. Only the sunburn effect. Lasted about 1/2 hour. Somewhat uncomfortable, but tolerable. Some cool water splashed on face and neck helped.

Extreme itching especially on the scrotum area.

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.

i just started taking niaspan 500mg er. the second week i had tingling on arms and legs and then the burning itching,felt like i was having a heart attack,got a wash cloth wet my face and hands and legs then later got chills i thought i was going to have to go er room. finally it went away,called doctor she said it was just side affect take a aspirin well see. this is no fun at night to wake up to this.

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 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'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 have been taking Niaspan 500mg for about a week and I have experienced mild hot flashes during the week but these were manageable. However, last night I was laying in bed and suddenly felt a tingling in my head, that spread to my ears, and it went down hill from there and this happened fast! I got out of bed because I swore I was having a stroke. When I went in the bathroom my face, neck, and arms looked as if I was sunburn. My eyes and face were swollen. I was disoriented and scared I was dying! I also was so hot to the touch but I had chills. This went on for about 30 minutes and it finally lightened but did not subside completely for several hours. I do take the aspirin (300 mg) a half hour before I take it. I don't want to take this anymore...waiting for a call back for PCP but I would take any info that anyone has to make this stop.

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.

I took my first 500mg Niaspan ER at about 1130 after eating an apple. At 0115 I woke up and my body from head to toe was on fire internally. I got up out of bed went to the bathroom looked in the mirror. It looked like I had a bad sunburn from head to toe plus my face,arms, hands upper torso were swollen. I do not recall any increase in my heartbeat. I went to the ER and by the the time the doctor came around I was some better. I did experience severe itching and cold chills for a while. I did not know about the aspirin for help. Am awaiting further directions from my cardiologist. I have never experienced anything like this before.

I am currently going through what you have described. I am on my sixth day of using Niaspan er 500mg. It is around midnight and my entire body is on FIRE, I itch, red blotches and my hair feels like needles pinching my skin when I move. My face, neck, chest, back, shoulders and legs was literally RED hot to touch, not to mention my heart started to race and felt like I needed some fresh air or cold shower to calm down. From what I read on (******) it sounds like I was flushing and had a reaction to the medicine. I am 33 years old and in good health. It seems like you should take Niaspan at bedtime and take with ibuprofen to reduce side effect. The funny thing is I have been taking ibuprofen all week since my low back is aching…Go figure. Not sure if I will continue. Plan to check with doctor tomorrow.

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.

I came home from work and opened my new bottle of Niaspan er 500mg. It was late and my wife was asleep. I read the bottle and it said take 2 tablets before bed with food. I did and about 4 hours later, my entire body was on FIRE and my hair felt like needles pinching my skin when I moved. I can deal with a hot flash or flushing but I was literally RED hot to touch, forget the feeling that I was having a heart attack or stroke.
I am only 41 years old in good health and a little low good cholesterol. I tried again few days later with one pill(after my wife had a good laughed) and experience the same nightmare. No hot flash, I was BURNING RED and my hairs were needles pinching my skin as I put ice packs around my neck.
I understand this is just a form of vitamin B-3??? Has anyone tried some form of herbal version of a B-vitamin?? Has anyone tried to take during the daytime????

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 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.

My GP, (doctor) prescribed Niaspan Prolonged Release Nicotinic acid (Ph Eur) 8 days ago to lower bad cholesterol. It came in a starter pack 7x375mg - 7x500mg-7x750mg for three weeks to run consecutively, which I take in conjunction with Zimverstatin 40mg nightly. First 7 nights, no problem, last night started the second week dosage...and after taking the first 500mg tab, I got busy on my com for a while...as you do...then Bang! I began to burn up inside, sweat leapt out of me like a garden sprinkler, I went weak, nauseous, ran to the loo (Toilet) ran around the house in sheer panic as my heart raced so fast, it felt like one continuous beat, then I nearly collapsed. On passing the bathroom mirror I saw my palour had gone to a waxy-grey, then I instinctively took two 75mg aspirin, and in the end collapsed on the bed. I woke up about 20 minutes later and realized I was not in heaven as my room was still as untidy as it normally was...never mind. I am waiting for a call-bcak from my GP...there are things I need to know as I suffer with angina....thanks for reading this.

Taking Niaspan my cholesterol dropped from 414 to 186 in ONE MONTH. I get the flush and itching BAD if I eat FATTY FOODS or drink alcohol before bedtime. Other wise, I take 1500mg and nothing bad.

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

rash - mostly on arms. few spots on neck and abdomen,high fever, severe sore throat (thought I had strep), severe joint pain (mostly knees- could barely walk, jaw, elbows, wrist), tingling skin, itchy face and eyes, chills, nausea, depression (crying).

I took my first dose of Niaspan last night and it will be my last. A few hours after taking it I started to feel tingling and itching in my feet and legs. Suddenly I started having a nauseated pressure in my chest and then the firey itching started. My face and body felt like it was swelling so badly that it hurt move. I tried cold wash cloths but it didn't help. I had to sit up in bed to be able to breath right. I was in tears. I had a similar reaction when I took codiene and never took that again. I work in a emergency room and it is hard for me to get upset or scared about things, but this scared me. I finally was ablet o fall asleep a couple of hours later.

My Doctor gave me the Niaspan 500mg today to try out...should I take it or should I try and have my diet deal with the low "good" cholesterol?

I have the burning, itching, no sleep, joint discomfort, constipation. I also have blurry vision and my ears are clogged. What can I do?

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.

I had to discontinue Niaspan due to intolerable side effects. My doctor has prescribed a new medication called SIMCOR which has only been on the market for about 3 weeks. This is a combination of Zocor & Niaspan but the side effects are supposed to be much more tolerable. Has anyone else been prescribed this drug and if so....how are things???? I will begin using mine tonight.

Itching, itching, itching.

I also have been having muscle problems in my legs. My leg muscles have
become weak, and I have difficulty walking up steps. I used to run a lot, but had to stop several times (for months) because I felt I had no energy. Muscle
soreness, as well as various radiating pains, also are a problem. I'm, 49 years old, but I don't believe these problems are due to normal wear and tear. I do know all of these symptoms began to appear after I had been taking Niaspan for at least several months. Thanks, M. Gray

My aches and pains were worse with Niaspan. One night I had a flush that lasted all night long. When I started reading side effects, I read about aches and pains in the joints getting worse. I took myself off and the aches and pains disappeared. I will never take Niaspan again.

First time user of Niaspan ER. First night I woke up red-faced and puffy; later same night fiercely itchy. Took four baby Niaspan (81 mg) the next night 30 minutes prior to Niaspan...no further problems. I'm planning on trying to cut down on Niaspan to 81 mg, which my doctor wants me to take anyway. Trying to balance HDL & LDL levels.

I've been taking Niaspan for several years and have had occasions of flushing that wakes me up at night but nothing really dramatic. What I have learned is that taking the aspirin a half hour before the Niaspan is crucial. Last spring I hurt my knee, and my MD suggested that I take Naproxen sodium for awhile and skip the aspirin at night before the Niaspan. And surprise! I had flushing every night...until I realized that the aspirin really had made a difference! Now I make sure to take it and no more flushing. (The itching sounds awful...I sympathize with all who have that.)

In the past, I had taken Zocor, Mevacor, and others which I can't even remember. They did NOT help my low HDL, and high LDL and terribly elevated Triglycerides. I have Diabetes, so this is real important. So then I was put on Lipitor...still didn't do much. Then, 2 years ago my Dr. added Niaspan ER, 1000 mgs, to the 20 Mg. Lipitor.

I followed his instructions and take an 81 mg. Aspirin 1/2 hour before taking the Niaspan. I very rarely have the bright red ears, chest and arms with all the flushing IF I don't eat something fat like Ice cream! If I am awakened with it I sometimes go get a really cold washcloth and just hold it over the worst of it and within 1/2 hour it pretty well goes away. I wouldn't be able to take it at all if I didn't take the aspirin first.

Very fast heartbeat and very little sleep. I have been taking 500mg for 5 years this month.. I did not take one last night and had no problems with heartbeat. Could some one tell me how to stop taking Niaspan. Can you quit all at once.

Thank you very much

My Doctor upped my Niaspan ER from 1000 MG to 2000 MG per day. Reason to get my Total Cholesterol down below my present reading of 168. He also put me on a new drug called Ranexa, 500 MG Tabs twice a day.

It has been a month now and I have started to have a loss of energy and heart stress problems. Before taking the increase dosage of Niaspan, I felt a lot better

I had problems with Lipitor and depression and so started taking Niaspan. I thought things were going okay until the last week. I have been unable to get out of bed, all I want to do is sleep, I have no interest in anything, I just feel blah - classic depression.

I don't know what to do for cholesterol now. I've tried Lipitor, Zetia (rash) and now Niaspan and I can't seem to tolerate any of them.

Any suggestions?

I too had sever, on fire, bouts with Niaspan...also my ears felt like they were going to burst! I finally got a hold of my cardiologist who told me to take an 81mg aspirin 30 minutes before taking the Niaspan (in addition to a low fat snack). This helped a lot!!! The only thing is now my heart feels like it beats oddly, so I stopped taking the Niaspan. I'm trying to figure out if it's the Niaspan or my Gerd flaring up again that's making my heart feel not quite right.

Started taking Niaspan about a month ago {1000mg}
The depression started the same time, not bad to start with.
It increased over a month to the point I was looking for a tree limb and a rope.
After 30 days I stopped taking the medication, the depression left in about 3 days.Also Niaspan had same effect on my 70yr. old sister.

December 20, 2007 11:30 PM
I have been on Niaspan ER 500 Mgs for 4 weeks, I have never had the redness or itching until tonight. I can't believe the intolerable itching. I woke my husband and was ready to go to the emergency room, I thought it was an allergic reaction to something. The itching started in my legs, mainly from my ankles to my knees, but I did have some itching higher up on my thighs. Also had the itching on my wrists and lower arms. I am going to try Benadryl as someone suggested on your website, hopefully it will help some, if not I will be forced to stop taking this medicine, the itching is to much to put up with..............Brenda