Niacin, a form of the water-soluble vitamin B-3, may help reduce your cholesterol levels if you have hypercholesterolemia. While both immediate- and sustained-release forms of niacin may help you achieve lower cholesterol levels, sustained-release niacin typically elicits fewer side effects. Talk with your medical provider about the side effects associated with the sustained-release form of niacin.
Niacin Flush
Sustained-release niacin may induce mild flushing, a side effect called "niacin flush," during treatment, the University of California, San Diego reports. In contrast to immediate-release niacin, the sustained-release form causes less severe flushing side effects, such as redness, warmth, tingling or burning. Niacin flush is temporary and subsides within a few hours following treatment with the sustained-release supplement. If this side effect is bothersome, talk with your doctor. A dose of aspirin may help reduce or prevent niacin flush if you take it approximately 30 minutes prior to taking a dose of niacin.
Upset Stomach
Treatment with sustained-release niacin may irritate your digestive tract, leading to nausea or vomiting. You may also experience recurrent episodes of heartburn, which can result in the development of a burning sensation across the upper region of your abdomen or in your chest. Additionally, upset stomach side effects may contribute to appetite loss. Typically, stomach discomfort diminishes with continued use of this supplement.
Diarrhea
In clinical trials for a sustained-release form of niacin, approximately 10 percent of people receiving either 1,000 or 1,500 mg of the supplement daily reported experiencing diarrhea, the RxList website states. Frequent bowel movement urges may be disruptive and may occur in conjunction with abdominal cramping, fullness or discomfort. Recurrent bouts of diarrhea may also increase your risk of becoming dehydrated. Seek care from your medical provider if you experience prolonged diarrhea or notice blood in your stool while you are taking niacin.
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