I started taking Niacin per my doctor's advice to help raise my HDL. (the good cholesterol) I bought a bottle of 500 mg extended release pills that I have been taking with lunch for the past 10 days or so. I figured lunch was good since I do not take any other pills at that time. I read up on the side effects and did my homework before starting. I love the website Drugs.com when researching medications and interactions of medications.
I did not notice any side effects and I figured I was one of the lucky ones. Then today at about 3pm I suddenly started to ITCH on my forearms and I could see them getting red. My neck/chest area was also feeling hot. I started to scratch my arms like crazy and was worried I would do some damage to my skin. I was like what in the world am I allergic to? It was almost feeling like I was breaking out in hives. I started to think about who might have Benadryl. Then there was the AH HA moment where I remembered the side effects for Niacin. The main side effect when taking niacin is Flushing.
Flushing Definition: warmth, itching, redness, or tingly feeling under your skin
Yup that is exactly what I had. We shall see tomorrow if it happens again. I did call the pharmacist to confirm the symptoms of flushing. She commented that usually it happens the first time you take the pill. I think I would have remembered if it had happened before. I may need to modify things if it happens again. I admit it was an interesting feeling, but one I really do not want to repeat. I really did not do anything different today that the other days so not sure what triggered it.
My husband takes it too and gets overall flushing that he compares to hot flashes. He also takes aspirin and I read if you take them at the same time it helps with the flushing. But, typical male, he resists advice so I can't tell you if that works or not. But I did read a lot about the flushing once he started experiencing it so know you are not alone.
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