10-02-2006, 06:23 PM
I've been on Niacin for over 10 years (2500 mg/day). My doctors also specified TwinLab, but not the No Flush, just the regular B-3 Caps (500mg and 1000mg capsules), taken with meals. They also ran several liver tests during the initial use of Niacin and started with low dosages at first before working up to 2500mg/day, and still do periodic liver tests.
My understanding is that the purpose of the Niacin (for me at least) is not really to lower the total cholesterol, but to raise the HDL (good) cholesterol, which in my case is low due to my parents and grandparents. My total cholesterol has always been in the normal range, but my HDL/LDL ratio is a concern.
I get some flushing but it doesn't really bother me much, it's usually associated with a light meal, or liquid meal like soup. My doctors also tried to get me to switch to Niaspan several years ago, to reduce flushing (which wan't really bothering me), and I didn't like the Niaspan because it needed to be taken before sleeping, and I would often forget to take it because I was tired, or take it thinking I was going to go to bed, but then decide to stay up later and get hit with the Niaspan kicking in while I was awake. After trying if for a few months my doctors agreed that straight Niacin was better for me.
One thing that did come up in the conversations about Niaspan was that drug companies can't make big money on Niacin since it can't be patented, but something like Niaspan can. And I seem to recall that the only thing unique about Niaspan was the way it delivers the Niacin over time.
I'd talk with the doctor some more about this. Alot might have to due with the age/experience of the doctor . The doctor that started me on Niacin was also older, and now retired, but he was also the director of the Stanford Preventative Cardiology clinic.
My understanding is that the purpose of the Niacin (for me at least) is not really to lower the total cholesterol, but to raise the HDL (good) cholesterol, which in my case is low due to my parents and grandparents. My total cholesterol has always been in the normal range, but my HDL/LDL ratio is a concern.
I get some flushing but it doesn't really bother me much, it's usually associated with a light meal, or liquid meal like soup. My doctors also tried to get me to switch to Niaspan several years ago, to reduce flushing (which wan't really bothering me), and I didn't like the Niaspan because it needed to be taken before sleeping, and I would often forget to take it because I was tired, or take it thinking I was going to go to bed, but then decide to stay up later and get hit with the Niaspan kicking in while I was awake. After trying if for a few months my doctors agreed that straight Niacin was better for me.
One thing that did come up in the conversations about Niaspan was that drug companies can't make big money on Niacin since it can't be patented, but something like Niaspan can. And I seem to recall that the only thing unique about Niaspan was the way it delivers the Niacin over time.
I'd talk with the doctor some more about this. Alot might have to due with the age/experience of the doctor . The doctor that started me on Niacin was also older, and now retired, but he was also the director of the Stanford Preventative Cardiology clinic.