Is a niacin flush an unsafe event?

Question

I know someone who has high histamines who reacts to niacin with panic attacks, flushing, etc. I can take relatively high doses of niacin (I am low histamine) and do not have any obvious negative reaction. I don't continue to take niacin, but have tried it in the past. Many books and internet sources say that the niacin flush is harmless, but I am suspicious that this is not so. Does anyone know if a niacin flush is detrimental?

Answer 1

I enjoy it actually. Niacin is good for many things-including the skin-circulation and a wide variety of other things, like lowering your cholesterol. It CAN cause gout, Vitamin B3, nicotinic acid, in some people though. The flush is not a bad thing, can kill a dog though. And there is a hex form if you are adverse to the whole flush thing anyways. I like it, do you?

Answer 2

I take at least 900 mg of niacin daily. Yes it is true that you must work up to that amount, but it is a great and cheap way to lower your LDL and raise HDL's. Taking an asprin 30 min. prior to the niacin does reduce the flushing. The flushing is a harmless reaction, and you kinda get used to it, after a while you flush much less often. The best niacin to take is the straight stuff, I have heard the No-flush kind does not work as well and the worst is the time release as this is the most liver toxic.

Answer 3

Unless you have high cholesterol or triglycerides, taking niacin will do you more harm than good. It will have no effect on your ability to pass a drug test. The 'flushing' you are hoping is like flushing a toilet, removal of waste. The 'flushing' caused by niacin is similar to blushing, the dilation of capillaries causing your skin to turn red. Two different meanings for the same word.

Answer 4

whew, i ate one of my brothers 800mg niacin pills with a cup of coffee for breakfast, and i think it was detrimental, it sure hurt anyway i thought my skin was peeling off. he takes them in half doses, i think he likes the flush, and he is in fine shape. I almost panicked since i didnt know what was happening, till he started laughing and told me that it wasnt a b vitamin I had taken.

Answer 5

It is safe. And very common. Usually they start out slow, and give aspirin 30minutes before doses for up to a week before they just give niacin. ask your dr. about taking aspirin prior to the doses. it should be done. niacin is very cheap and pretty good for lowering cholesterol. for the price, its great. alot of people refuse because of the annoying flushing, but as long as you take aspirin and wean yourself onto it, you can avoid the problem!

Answer 6

According to numerous sources and personal experience it is not harmful. I know, however that there is controversy regarding its ultimate safety. a close friend of mine once took a 500 mg capsule for the first time and had a near fainting episode. He is fairskined and had not had enough fluids that day combined with the overwhelming heat he experienced from the flush. i also suspect it may have dropped his blood pressure to some degree. my son uses it daily and does not ever have bad reactions, in fact in addition to its intended effects on him, it has also helped to improve his acne.

http://www.doctoryourself.com/niacin.html
http://www.winltdusa.com/about/infocenter/healthnews/articles/niacin.htm
http://www.alternativecancerdiet.com/articles/2004/08/b3_niacin_its_a.html
http://mv.lycaeum.org/mu/niacin_mania.html

Answer 7

I seem to be ok so far
wonders...........hmmmmmmmmmmm