Before Niaspan: T-Chol 328, Trig 304, LDL 222, HDL 46. After Niaspan: T-Chol 181, Trig 150, LDL 100, HDL 52. I've taken 3000 mg Niaspan daily, at bedtime, for over 3 years now. This is the highest therapeutic dose recommended. Side effects include flushing and itching, and occational tightening of tendens behind knees. Niaspan should only be taken at bed time as the liver produces chole...
Anonymous | 55-64 | Male | On medication for 6 months to less than 1 year | Patient
1/17/2008
Condition: Combined High Blood Cholesterol and Triglyceride Level
Overall rating 3.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
I take this drug in the morning. I take other drugs like statins before bedtime that I don't mix with the niaspan. The flushing is an issue but my big gripe is being lightheaded to dizzy sometime after taking the drug. I'll have to try some other time as I can't handle the dizziness.
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clam | 35-44 | Male | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
1/16/2008
Condition: Combined High Blood Cholesterol and Triglyceride Level
Overall rating 4.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
I'm perscribed 1500 mg daily for lack of vitamin B3 and high blood lipids, and I have been on the medication for 3 months. Only have flushing problems if I take it prior to eating. No other side effects.
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beachboy | 55-64 | Male | On medication for 10 years or more | Patient
1/14/2008
Condition: Low HDL Cholesterol
Overall rating 3.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
After two heart attacks and surgery for six bypass grafts, I began with 1000mg daily. In November I had a stent implanted and my cadiologist doubled the dose to 2000mg daily. Big mistake. Extreme itching and prickly feeling all over from ankle to neck. Deep scratches have drawn blood due to the itching. Torso badly flushed and looks like a horrific sunburn. On physician's advice, will reduce dosage by half or stop alltogether for a few days. Then will resume at a lower and hopefully effective dose. Read More Read Less
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Sarah R | 25-34 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
1/10/2008
Condition: High Cholesterol
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
I took this ONCE... Woke up in the middle of the night feeling like my chest was going to explode, huge panic attack, skin was on fire, felt like I had needles sticking out of me from everywhere. I was sick to my stomach.. I thought I was going to die! NEVER EVER AGAIN taking this med!
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johnm | 55-64 | Male | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
1/1/2008
Condition: Low HDL Cholesterol
Overall rating 2.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
I've taken my 28th pill about one hour ago. My ears are ringing and I am "pink" from head to toe and have a rather severe itching/burning sensation over my entire body. I guess this is the flushing but anything touching me makes me itch so it's good it is 2am and I'm at home and not at work because I can't wear cloths at all right now. Wow, this is pretty bad!! Have no idea if it works yet but I'm stopping it right now. I really don't know at this point if it has been effective so the "Effective" rating I selected is meaningless but I would have to say this reaction makes me "Not Satisfied".Read More Read Less
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Anonymous | 35-44 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
12/31/2007
Condition: Combined High Blood Cholesterol and Triglyceride Level
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
Being perimenapausal, I thought I could handle flushing. This was more like boiling from the inside out! One dose and out for me, and I have been itching like crazy for 3 days since. I think my Doctor was punishing me and I swear, I will exercise and eat right from now on!!!!
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Anonymous | 65-74 | Male | On medication for 1 to less than 2 years | Patient
12/24/2007
Condition: High Cholesterol
Overall rating 4.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
I have been fighting Lipid levels for twenty years. My levels have maily been off the charts. I have tried every Statin drug, and all the others. The last time I went to my cardiologist was was given another profile since I have been on 500mg of Niaspan, and 10/40 Vytorin. Here are my new results after eight months. They are unreal. My HDL 60-LDL 111-Total chlorestrol 203- Tryglicerides (sp) 111. My Doctor told me that mine was better than his. He could not believe the 70% drop. Whether it was Niaspan, or Vytorin 10/40 just don't know. I have seen my total chlorestrol over 350. I have seen my LDL near the 300 mark. I have seen my HDL at 20. With those numbers over the years I cannot figure out how my heart as not blown out of my chest amazes me.. For those who wrote in complaining of a little burning around the facial area I would suggest taking asprin, and it will helprelieve the flushing, and the lite burning. Like I said earlier I do not actually know if the Niaspan, along with the Vytorin lowered my profile 70%.But when my Cardiologist is happy and smiling at my results, I am happy...Read More Read Less
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campgal31 | 35-44 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
12/18/2007
Condition: Combined High Blood Cholesterol and Triglyceride Level
Overall rating 2.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
minor flushing, chills, weakness in knees, rapid heart rate. But overall side effects are mild. Am going to continue check with Dr.
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Anonymous | 55-64 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
12/16/2007
Condition: Combined High Blood Cholesterol and Triglyceride Level
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
Cannot tolerate even a small dose. severe flushing and itching. Not worth it.
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1
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Win | 55-64 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
12/12/2007
Condition: High Amount of Triglyceride in the Blood
Overall rating 2.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
This medication caused me to have numbness of my left arm and leg, and a weight gain of 10 pounds.
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sharin6214 | 55-64 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
12/10/2007
Condition: High Amount of Triglyceride in the Blood
Overall rating 1.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
Only took for a few weeks, had severe outbreak of itching, rash, and migraine headache. Having to take the aspirin before taking it is also a difficult to remember. Wind up taking too many pills at bed time,not happy with the drug at all.
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kagua2 | 45-54 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
12/7/2007
Condition: High Amount of Triglyceride in the Blood
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
My doctor gave me samples of Niaspan yesterday, but I am on several other meds and I'm afraif to take it. Some of my other meds cause itching and I keep hydrocortisone cream nearby. I don't want to take it, especially after reading all the posts!
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elidio | 55-64 | Male | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
12/6/2007
Condition: Low HDL Cholesterol
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
I itch very bad get like hives. I dont understand.
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sahaz | 35-44 | Male | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
11/28/2007
Condition: Combined High Blood Cholesterol and Triglyceride Level
Overall rating 2.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
The flushing drives me up the wall. I wonder is it is worth it.
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1
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Anonymous | 65-74 | Female | On medication for 2 to less than 5 years | Patient
11/20/2007
Condition: High Cholesterol
Overall rating 3.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
Pills are large, flush is annoying.
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2
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jimenijac | Male | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
11/18/2007
Condition: Combined High Blood Cholesterol and Triglyceride Level
Overall rating 3.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
I have been on it for 1 mo. I take aspirin, the med. then applesauce after a meal. I have no problems except I have experienced a fast heart rate and lightheadedness. Could this be from the Niaspan?
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Anonymous | 35-44 | Male | On medication for 1 to less than 2 years | Patient
11/17/2007
Condition: Combined High Blood Cholesterol and Triglyceride Level
Overall rating 4.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
I take 1500 mg once a day of the Niaspan, prior to bedtime. In the beginning I used to get flushed and itching. I learned that if I eat 20-30 minutes prior to taking this (nothing spicy) and take 1-2 asprin's/ibrophen ( spelling) no flushing or itching. If I have spicy foods for dinner I make sure I wait 3 hours prior to taking the drug. Cholesterol is doing much much better. I have been taking this drug for a little over a year. In the beginning I had the same problems as everyone else but they have pretty much subsided. Good luck:) Read More Read Less
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chtuna | 65-74 | Male | On medication for 1 to less than 2 years | Patient
11/12/2007
Condition: High Cholesterol
Overall rating 4.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
work better than staten. overall went from379 to 236 in about 18 mo,
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Anonymous | 45-54 | Female | On medication for 6 months to less than 1 year | Patient
11/12/2007
Condition: Low HDL Cholesterol
Overall rating 2.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
Let me warn you - the itching and burning side effects do NOT go away with continued use. This is the 3rd time my doctor has insisted I try it. This morning I had the itching and burning again - I have almost drawn blood from scratching my arms so much. I just called called the doctor and told her I refuse to take this any more.
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Anonymous | Female | On medication for 6 months to less than 1 year | Patient
11/8/2007
Condition: Low HDL Cholesterol
Overall rating 3.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
Been on it for 6 months and HDL only went up to 34 (was 28). It is easy to use, but be sure to take the aspirin before or you will wake up feeling like your on fire!
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