why is niaspan taken at night? Does it make a difference if you take it in the morning?

Good question Mary. I was wondering the very same thing....and that's why I was Googling it to learn myself. 

I'm guessing it's because you will hopefully sleep thru the flushing and itching that Niaspan can cause. 

As for me, when I start on it I will do so during the day....probably around noon because I'm told to never take it on an empty stomach.

As you know, you should take a 325mg aspirin one hour prior to taking Niaspan to help reduce some of the side effects; flushing and itching mostly. 

My heart doctor takes it and thats good to learn. I asked him yesterday about it. He did say that some people just cannot tolerate taking it. But he also said it's the ONLY drug that can increase your good cholesterol (HDL). He said Lipitor and others like it cannot improve your HDL.

So, I'm about ready to give it a shot. I've had 3 doctors to tell me to start taking.......and I guess I should........so I will if I can tolerate it. My family doc, my cardiologist, and my Endocrinologist all have told me independently to take it.