Nicotinic acid, also known as niacin, is the water soluble form of Vitamin B complex called Vitamin B3. This medication is known for improving all the lipoproteins, if taken in form of medicine or natural sources. It is used as a potent medicine for lowering the presence of harmful cholesterol, LDL as well as triglyceride levels. On the other hand, it miraculously works towards augmenting the level of body beneficial cholesterol called HDL. This particular group of medication is available in two forms, time released and immediate release. Most of the doctors recommend immediate release medicines in case the patient faces severe build-up of cholesterol levels in the body.  Patients are initially recommended the daily dosage of a low concentration nicotinic acid drug which gradually increases from 1.5 to 3 grams in a day. All the patients taking to the continuous usage of this medicine are closely monitored by their doctors so as to check the harmful side effects right at the beginning. One of the harmful after effects of this medicine is the occurrence of hot flashes which result due to the spacing between the blood vessels. High blood pressure is yet another side effect which can be treated with a relative medicine. It is further known to cause various gastronomical disorders which results into gas, indigestion, bloating etc.