If you take this medication right before bedtime and you fall asleep quickly you can sleep through the symptoms. But if you awaken within 2 - 4 hours then the flushing, burning and itching is terrible. I also experienced a fainting spell one night when I got up. If you drink ANY alcohol it will greatly increase the side effects, even a small glass of wine with your evening meal. It has been too early to tell if it is lowering triglycerides.

I am a medical professional and have prescribed this medication for many of my patients. The chief complaint with niacin is the flushing and itching. I began taking 250mg. at night and after the first dose noted a slight cardiac arrythmia, irregular heart beat. This happened with each dose and worsened until one night I thought I needed to call an ambulance it was so bad. I am wondering if a cardiac arrythmia could be the cause of the complaints of lightheadedness I am reading in the reviews. My suggestion, since this drug has not been on the market long, is to be very careful about taking it. I won't be taking it again and have had no arrythmia since stopping the drug. I am a healthy, active 60 year old of normal weight with no history of heart disease. If you get lightheaded check your pulse in your neck and if irregular contact your physician immediately and stop the niacin.

I do not have any problems taking this medication as others do. Never have flushed or itched. The secret is eating 3 heaping tablespoons of applesauce and then setting alarm for 30 min.and taking my niaspan. I eat nothing else after this and do not take additional medications with it. I have NEVER had a problem with side effects. The applesauce coats the stomach (pectin). My doctor told me about this. Never had to take aspirin with it. I hope this helps many people.

After reading several reviews, I had myself worked up about what would happen to me after taking. I've taken for two days and nothing happened. I took the aspirin 1/2 hour before the Niaspan and ate a few crackers with it. I had no flushing, no rapid heart rate, no nausea or lightheadedness. So far so good. I'm hopeful that this will continue. I had one hive on my arm this morning but it could be allergies...no itching at all though. I'll watch and wait.

took Niaspan 500mg for six weeks then increased to 1000mg after blood results were not improved. After 6 weeks of 1000mg, lab results showed my cholesterol went up 15 points after 3 month treatment. During this period I followed strict diet and exercise routine (4 days per week). Side effects of this drug were very severe. Burning over my entire body like a sunburn. Could not stand anything touching my skin until it subsided ( About 20 minutes. I could not take this product at night due to severe burning sensations..had to take in the morning after breakfast. Side effects were face, neck, chest flushing. Is this product safe for people to take??

I have been taking a dosage of 500 mg morning and evening. When I started I weighed 285 lbs and now am 170 lbs. The doctor no longer considers me as suffering from lipidemia, and my lipids are well controlled. The side effects of dry skin, itching are constant, and the flushing is now rare.

Have been on niaspan for almost 2 years. I get reactions every couple of weeks. They are severe. The word, "Flushing" doesn't come close to what I experience. Sometimes I have to have icebags placed all over. My cholesterol is down and so are my trig. but it is at a high price.

HAVE BEEN ON THE DRUG FOR 5 YEARS. HDL NOW CONSITENTLY IN THE 50S. LDL CONSISTENTLY IN THE 60S-70S. I ALSO TAKE A LOW DOSE OF STATINS. YES, ONCE EVERY SEVERAL MONTHS I HAVE THE SEVERE ITCHING, BUT WELL WORTH IT. THE ITCHING LASTS APPROX. 1/2 HR. I TAKE MINE AT BETIME WITH AN ASPIRIN AND LIGHT SNACK. I FOUND ANY GRAPEFRUIT PRODUCTS BRING ON THE FLUSHING AND ITCHING, SO I AVOID THESE. I BELIEVE I HAVE BUILT UP A GRADUAL TOLERANCE. IF POSSIBLE STAY WITH THIS DRUG IT IS LIKELY A LIFE SAVER. THE CONSISTENT HISTORY OF BLOOD WORK OVER A 5 YEAR PERIOD MADE ME A BELIVER. IT IS AN EXPENSIVE DRUG. BOTTOM LINE, AFTER A TOTAL OF 6+ YEARS I HAVE NOT HAD ANOTHER HEART ATTACK!