question about niacin - High Cholesterol Message Board

annmg · 07-15-2008, 08:39 AM

Hope someone could help me. I started taking 100 mg of Niacin over the counter not perscription. Well ..if I take it right after a meal, everything is fine, BUT if I take it 1 hour or more after a meal then within 1/2 hour I get this warm feeling all over my body. My legs and arm turn a bright red...looks like sunburn. The back of my neck also feels like I've been out in the sun to long. This last anywhere from 30-45 minutes then it disappears. Is this flushing? Or is this some reaction to this over the counter med. I thought 100mg would not do this since the dosage is so low. Like I said if I take it with a meal ..nothing!! Thanks for all your help, I'm curious if this is flushing with this low dosage, or a reaction.

Red60 · 07-15-2008, 12:44 PM

yep that's flushing. After a while you'll stop and then you can increase the dosage a little. Just go slow. When you take it with food you slow down the rate of absorption so you are less likely to flush. Try drinking some extra water before taking it and again if you flush. Some people say that helps.

annmg · 07-16-2008, 04:58 AM

I had a feeling that's what it was, but wasn't sure. I had no idea that it would happen with only 100mg. I thought it was only with higher dosages. It's funny if I take it with a meal, no flushing....last night I forgot to take it with the meal, and remembered about 45 minutes later, and then the flushing happened. But now I know what it is...thanks for all your help

love2fishfork · 07-16-2008, 05:26 AM

Some people say taking an aspirin before your niacin helps. Since most cardio people take an aspirin a day anyway. I take my niacin (2000mg) before bed and sleep through the flush!

Trixibel · 07-16-2008, 05:47 AM

this is totally normal (the flushing) for niacin. taking aspirin or having a glass of cold water will help, or, as you've said yourself, take it with meals.