Gary TaxaliGary TaxaliI was told a few months ago that my LDL cholesterol was too high (I'm only 30!), but I think I'm allergic to niacin. I've took niacin as a supplement a few years ago, and it caused my face to flush and I felt feverish for an hour or so.
I take Niacin, for the aforementioned-reasons. It makes my head feel like it's going to burst into flames, but I take it anyway. Old habit from when I didn't have any health coverage- I was trying to create the effects of a statin.
The tin foil hat crew would like this to be another example of the evil drug companies. The reality is that it's damn near impossible to get people to take their drugs as directed when they DON'T cause serious, discomforting side effects every time. It's like Pavlov's dog, niacin compliance rates are pretty terrible.
Ahh, another reminder of why I didn't go into primary care.
I was put on a cholesterol lowering drug that contained niacin. The second dose put me in the E.R. with a full blown allergic reaction to the niacin and since that episode I have been treated for high blood pressure.
I had a heart surgeon tell me once that you can reduce triglycerides by cutting back on carbohydrates.
Ping.
The drug company Merck is currently developing an anti-flushing agent that is combined with the niacin, to eliminate that side-effect. Longer term, the niacin/anti-flushing agent will be combined with generic Zocor (simvastatin) in a combination tablet.
My God, the whining on this thread about flushing--! You men are wimpls. If I only flushed and got red in the face when I took niacin, instead of all the time, I'd be thrilled.
I take 800mcg of niacin a day and it doesn't cause any reaction. They put me on Zorcor once and all my hair fell out for about 3 months. Some people just can't take it.
Thanks for posting this article, neverdem. Bookmarking for future reference. :)
Bookmarked for later