Side effects vary.
After 3 months of going to the pool and beach, skin had tanned nicely. Taking the niacin turned this into an itchy red mess, after three days. Tummy wasn't too happy, either. Back to the Lipitor, until the muscle aches became too much to deal with. This, many years ago, before Lipitor ever had any known side effects. Ended up with Tricor, generic (Phenophedrine), with excellent results... Cholesterol and Triglycerides.
Looks to me, that most drugs that work, come after trial and error. This is definitely true for heart and epileptic and mental health drugs.
One size does not fit all, evidence the 45 second disclaimer in the one minute commercial for popular Pharma drugs.
Every suggestion that our DD (Dear Doctor) has ever made, has been prefaced with the word "try" for "(X) days"... with a nurse follow up call on the target date.
DW is on third part of 6 month trials for Prolia, with good results as far as we can see. (Thank you Amgen). Fifteen years ago, would never even consider this.
As before... this asperin-only younger person has morphed into a cautious but humble old patient who learned to appreciate advances in medicine.