Drug Testing and Niacin
Niacin is sometimes prescribed to lower cholesterol. It’s cheap, so it’s popular with institutions like VA hospitals that are trying to control cost. The short term side effects are just what your friend describes. And, it’s associated with liver damage at high doses. The extended release formula is actually worse for the liver, which is kind of counterintuitive. This is because the liver cells spend more time bathed in the niacin. The long term side effect of what your friend is doing is probably liver damage. The American College of Emergency Physicians says don’t do this. I wouldn’t do this.
