DEAR DR. GOTT: I read your column often and notice that you mention taking niacin for many things. I started taking one tablet of 250 mg time released niacin to see if it would help lower my blood pressure and my cholesterol levels. After taking it for about 30 days, I was feeling great. However, one day I began having little pricks throughout my body. Thinking something was terribly wrong with me, I looked on the internet and discovered some diseases with that symptom. I was just about to make an appointment with my doctor when I looked for information on niacin and discovered that one of the side effects is itching. I discontinued it and my prickly sensations stopped very quickly.

Does this mean I will not ever be able to take niacin again? Are there other forms that might work better? I had renewed energy and really felt great while taking it.
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