Niaspan ER Blood Rushes, Prostaglandins, Glass of Water, Niacin, Allergic Reaction
Posted over a year ago
I was just prescribed Niaspan 500mg a few days ago. My doctor wants me to work up to 2000mg, but after reading everything on this site I am scared to death to take it. I haven't taken the first pill yet because I am dreading waking up to feeling like I am ... more »
I was just prescribed Niaspan 500mg a few days ago. My doctor wants me to work up to 2000mg, but after reading everything on this site I am scared to death to take it. I haven't taken the first pill yet because I am dreading waking up to feeling like I am on fire. Is it REALLY that bad? My doctor told me to take a baby aspirin 30 min before the Niaspan and a low fat snack right before I take it. From reading this it seems that applesauce is the best thing to eat due to the fiber, but would it also help more to just eat a fiber bar before taking the Niaspan? Also, would it be Ok to take the Niaspan like 3-4 hours before I go to bed so that I can experience the side effects while I'm still awake instead of waking up to them in my sleep and being scared to death? I'm only 21 and I'm really scared of taking this medicine. I guess what I really want to know is is the flushing as horrible as everyone makes it out to be and can I handle it?
Fisemicr - I first tried Niacin and took one with aspirin and yogurt. I woke up three hours later feeling bad and went to the bathroom. I was bright red and itchy. I asked my doctor for an alternative and he prescribed Niaspan (500). I started it by taking an aspirin and half an hour later a cup or two of applesauce. I went a month with only two mild reactions - woke me up for a bit then I went back to sleep. Last night I skipped the aspirin and just had applesauce and had no reaction. After a month I'm probably pretty used to it. I'm going to slowly decrease the applesauce now. I take the Niaspan right at bedtime because if there was a reaction it would just wake me for a bit. If you took it earlier it could make it hard to get to sleep. Also you're supposed to avoid spicy food for a few hours before you take it (the times I had reactions were when I had spicy snacks just before bedtime). So if you took the Niaspan like 7pm you could have anything spicy after %pm or so. Overall I'm glad I'm taking it and the few side effects are greatly outweighed by the benefits.
Hy1958 - I have been taking it and the flushing was with the first few doses and then there were no flushing or tingling. I also take it before I go to sleep every night. So do not be afraid to take it. It has the least side effects compared to all the statins to lower cholesterol.
Vietsu - I am taking NIASPAN 1 month. My Tri level drop from 297 to 140. Flush, burn and itching is normal. It happened to me from beginning, Then I decided to drink a lot of the water (1/2 litter each 500 mg).Also, I don't take NIASPAN at bed time. I take twice a day, after breakfast and after dinner about 2 hours. Good Luck
Rwilder - Not sure why you are taking this stuff so young; but I will turn 60 this year and my Dr. put me on 500 mg. a month or so ago also to raise my good cholesterol. (my bad is 72 good is 48) As you state; if you take your aspirin thirty (30) minutes before bed and then take the Niaspan with a snack (soda crackers) the side affects are minimal if any for me. But.... I forgot to take it one nite and then without thinking the next morning popped it into my mouth... woops!!!! It was horrible; the hot flashes and the red skin wow!!!!! never again. She tells me there is nothing to worry about and no danger but I must be a boob because I would rather go back to Southeast Asia in the late 60's than take that stuff again. So for the time being I am taking it as instructed but looking for anyway to get off it asap.
Lildebadoo01 - I feel for you! I was prescribed Niaspan 2 weeks ago...and still have not taken one pill! I am sooo afraid of the side effects. I have been reading all the posts and they all seem pretty bad. My next appt. with the doc is in 3 weeks and I feel like such a baby. He will probably be upset with me but I really dont want to go through all this.
Good luck though!
Lildebadoo01 - I feel for you! I was just prescribed Niaspan 2 weeks ago and have not taken one pill! So afraid of the side effects.......I go to the docs in 3 weeks and I feel like such a baby. Every post I have read is bad. I am considering other alternatives.
Karenpage - I am taking Niaspan right now and on day one, I ignored the doctor's (and pharmacist's) advice and just took the pill without the aspirin. I got the flushing, which feels like a bad allergic reaction (burning, itching, etc., but goes away after 30 mins.)
Niacin dilates the capillaries close the skin and blood rushes in, giving the feeling of warmth, etc. Because your body isn't used to this, your body also produces prostagladins as a response (sort of like histamine). The prostaglandins are what cause the itching and burning.
Guess what stops the prostaglandins? Aspirin.
So Day 2, I took a 325mg aspirin 30 minutes before taking the Niaspan, then took the Niaspan before bed with a full glass of water. It was like day and night! No reactions at all!
Aspirin is the key — if you take it ahead of time, it will prevent the flushing. And you need a normal dose, not the 81mg baby aspiring, Go for 325 mg. After about two weeks, your body should adjust and you might not need it, but your mileage may vary. Good luck!
Bluehester3 - I have been taking 1500 mg of Niaspan for over a year now. Every other week I have a bout of the flushing/skin burning but it only lasts a couple of minutes. I have server lung problems and I have never had a problem with my breathing while taking this. I just work through the flushing and it never gets to a point where I can't stand it. I have had a red rash a couple of times but it fades quickly.
Lovinlife2 - I take Niaspan 1000 mg., and it bothered me the first week or so, but it really makes a difference to take the baby aspirin 30 min. before bed. If you do not, you will wake up on fire for sure. Anymore, I sleep right through the night without any further symptoms. DO NOT TAKE EARLIER IN THE EVENING, YOU WILL SUFFER FOR SURE THEN.
Crazygurl7984 - I am 26 and just began this in the last few weeks of being 25. I am on 500 mg. I woke up in terror last night feeling like i was on fire. it feels like creepy crawly things in your skin that are burning you from the inside out. i was surprised since i had taken niaspan for 3 weeks already. i called the dr crying and said there was no way i was taking this again. i would rather die of a heart attack at age 30.
Brerohodo - I've been at it for about a month. 500mg and take 4 at night about ten minutes apart. Was taking baby aspirin and witnessed some flushing. Daughter said take some light yogurt first.1% cholesterol and 0% no fat. Apple turnover tastes great. Not enough flushing to bother AND i'M 79. Try watching reruns of the Golden Girls in the evening and Blanche should make you forget any flushing.
Jinme5 - my dad was prescribed niaspan and ended up with liver disease. Never drank in his life so I believe the niaspan did it. he was diagnosed in may of 2010 and passed away six months later from the liver disease on thanksgiving 2010. I am doing research now to find out if anyone else ever got liver disease from the drug and I am planning on a lawsuit. So be careful.
Origbless - After taking low dose (500) Niaspan for about a year, I noticed that my face was feeling "tired." Then my arm muscles began to feel weak, then my leg muscles. I finally woke up to the fact that the Niaspan was causing the muscle weakness. I wonder what it was doing to my heart muscle. As soon as I stopped my muscles felt somewhat better, although the muscle weakness feels permanent. It is now six months since I stopped and I still notice muscle weekness when I walk.
Origbless - I took 500 mg. for 1.5 years. My face felt tired after about a year. I finally realized
it was due to muscle weakness. My arms and legs felt weak. I fell flat on my face
in the street one day. My ankle muscles had weakened. A year later, after stopping this lousy medicine, my muscles have not regained strength. I am only 69 an felt good before all this happened. Where is the lawsuit.
Scaredofniaspan - I think Niaspan causes the "Skin on Fire" symptoms. I just woke up about 45 minutes ago scared to death with the itchy "on fire" skin. I will not take this drug anymore until I know what it is that causes this. I could not breathe very well during part of this attack. I do not know what else to call it, and this scares me. I have been taking the drug more that a little while so it is not like this is an all the time thing. NO MORE NIASPAN FOR ME!
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