search

Niacin Info

setting
tourSave
+ Add to myCart
Save to my Wellkasa

Niacin is a form of vitamin B3 made in the body from tryptophan. It's found in many foods including meat, fish, milk, eggs, green vegetables, and cereals.

Niacin is required for the proper function of fats and sugars in the body and to maintain healthy cells. At high doses, niacin might help people with heart disease because of its effects on blood clotting. It might also improve levels of fats called triglycerides in the blood.

Prescription forms of niacin are approved by the US FDA for abnormal cholesterol levels and for preventing vitamin B3 deficiency and related conditions such as pellagra. People use niacin supplements for metabolic syndrome, heart disease, cataracts, high blood pressure, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these other uses.

Do not confuse niacin with NADH, niacinamide, inositol nicotinate, IP-6, or tryptophan. These are not the same.

Natural Medicines rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
No data available.
  • Dyslipidemia.  Niacin prescription products, in doses of 500 mg or greater, are FDA-approved for primary hyperlipidemia and mixed dyslipidemia. Niacin dietary supplements are generally available in lower doses and have not been shown to improve lipid levels.
    • Login for details

  • Pellagra.  Oral niacin is FDA-approved for the prevention and treatment of pellagra.
    • Login for details

No data available.
No data available.
Info
No data available.

When taken by mouth: Niacin is likely safe for most people when used appropriately. Prescription products containing niacin are safe when taken as directed. Niacin-containing foods or niacin supplements are safe when taken in doses lower than 35 mg daily.

A common side effect of niacin is a flushing reaction. This might cause burning, itching, and redness of the face, arms, and chest, as well as headaches. Starting with small doses and taking 325 mg of aspirin before each dose of niacin may help. This reaction usually goes away as the body gets used to niacin.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Niacin is likely safe when taken by mouth while pregnant and breast-feeding. The maximum recommended amount of niacin while pregnant or breast-feeding is 30 mg daily in those under 18 years of age, and 35 mg daily for those 19 years and older.

Children: Niacin is likely safe when taken by mouth in doses below the tolerable upper intake level (UL) by age. The UL is 10 mg for children 1-3 years of age, 15 mg for children 4-8 years of age, 20 mg for children 9-13 years of age, and 30 mg for children 14-18 years of age.

Allergies: Niacin might worsen allergies by causing histamine to be released. Histamine is the chemical responsible for allergic symptoms.

Chest pain (angina): Niacin should be used cautiously in people with angina.

Diabetes: Niacin might increase blood sugar. People with diabetes who take niacin should check their blood sugar carefully.

Gallbladder disease: Niacin might make gallbladder disease worse.

Gout: Large amounts of niacin might increase the risk for gout.

Kidney disease: Niacin might accumulate in people with kidney disease. This might cause harm.

Liver disease: Taking high doses of niacin might increase liver damage. Don't use large amounts if you have liver disease.

Low blood pressure: Taking niacin in high doses might lower blood pressure and worsen this condition.

Stomach or intestinal ulcers: Niacin might make ulcers worse. Don't use large amounts if you have ulcers.

Surgery: Niacin might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Speak with your healthcare provider about whether you should stop taking niacin before a scheduled surgery.

Fatty deposits around tendons (tendon xanthomas): Niacin might increase the risk of infections in xanthomas.

Thyroid disorders: Thyroxine is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland. Niacin might lower blood levels of thyroxine. This might worsen symptoms of certain thyroid disorders.

Alcohol (Ethanol)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Niacin can cause flushing and itchiness. Consuming alcohol along with niacin might make the flushing and itching worse. There is also some concern that consuming alcohol with niacin might increase the chance of having liver damage.

Allopurinol (Zyloprim)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Allopurinol is used to treat gout. Taking large doses of niacin might worsen gout and decrease the effects of allopurinol.

Aspirin

Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.

Aspirin is often used to reduce the flushing caused by niacin. These low doses of aspirin don't seem to cause any issues when taken with niacin. But taking higher doses of aspirin, such as 1 gram daily, might decrease how fast the body gets rid of niacin. This could cause there to be too much niacin in the body and possibly lead to side effects. Stick with lower doses of aspirin, such as 325 mg or less.

Gemfibrozil (Lopid)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Taking niacin along with gemfibrozil might increase the risk for muscle damage in some people. Use with caution.

Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

High doses of niacin might increase blood sugar levels. Taking niacin along with diabetes medications might reduce the effects of these medications. Monitor your blood sugar closely.

Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Niacin might lower blood pressure. Taking niacin along with medications that lower blood pressure might cause blood pressure to go too low. Monitor your blood pressure closely.

Medications that can harm the liver (Hepatotoxic drugs)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Niacin might harm the liver. Some medications can also harm the liver. Taking niacin along with a medication that can harm the liver might increase the risk of liver damage.

Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Niacin might slow blood clotting. Taking niacin along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.

Medications used for lowering cholesterol (Bile acid sequestrants)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Some medications called bile acid sequestrants can decrease how much niacin the body absorbs. This might reduce the effects of niacin. Take niacin and these medications at least 4-6 hours apart.

Medications used for lowering cholesterol (Statins)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Taking niacin along with statins might increase the risk for muscle damage in some people. Use with caution.

Probenecid (Benemid)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Probenecid is used to treat gout. Taking large doses of niacin might worsen gout and decrease the effects of probenecid.

Sulfinpyrazone (Anturane)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Sulfinpyrazone is used to treat gout. Taking large doses of niacin might worsen gout and decrease the effects of sulfinpyrazone.

Thyroid hormone

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

The body naturally produces thyroid hormones. Niacin might decrease thyroid hormone levels. Taking niacin with thyroid hormone pills might decrease the effects of thyroid hormone.

Beta-carotene: Taking niacin along with antioxidants, including beta-carotene, might reduce the beneficial effects that niacin has on cholesterol levels.
Chromium: Taking niacin and chromium together might lower blood sugar. If you have diabetes and take chromium and niacin supplements together, monitor your blood sugar to make sure it doesn't get too low.
Herbs and supplements that might harm the liver: Niacin might harm the liver. Taking it with other supplements that can also harm the liver might increase the risk of liver damage. Examples of supplements with this effect include garcinia, greater celandine, green tea extract, kava, and kratom.
Herbs and supplements that might lower blood pressure: Niacin might lower blood pressure. Taking it with other supplements that have the same effect might cause blood pressure to drop too much. Examples of supplements with this effect include andrographis, casein peptides, L-arginine, niacin, and stinging nettle.
Herbs and supplements that might slow blood clotting: Niacin might slow blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might increase the risk of bleeding in some people. Examples of supplements with this effect include garlic, ginger, ginkgo, nattokinase, and Panax ginseng.
Selenium: Taking niacin along with antioxidants, including selenium, might reduce the beneficial effects that niacin has on cholesterol levels.
Vitamin C: Taking niacin along with antioxidants, including vitamin C, might reduce the beneficial effects that niacin has on cholesterol levels.
Vitamin E: Taking niacin along with antioxidants, including vitamin E, might reduce the beneficial effects that niacin has on cholesterol levels.
Zinc: People who are malnourished and have niacin deficiency, such as those with alcohol use disorder, make extra niacin if they take zinc. There might be an increased risk of niacin-related side effects such as flushing and itching if niacin and zinc are taken together.

Drinking alcohol can make the flushing reaction associated with niacin worse. Avoid drinking large amounts of alcohol while taking niacin.

In supplements, niacin is listed on the label in niacin equivalents (NE). 1 mg of niacin is the same as 1 mg NE. When niacin is listed as NE, it might include other forms of niacin, including niacinamide, inositol nicotinate, and tryptophan.

Niacin is also found in many foods, including meat, fish, milk, eggs, vegetables, and cereals. The amount that should be consumed on a daily basis is called the recommended dietary allowance (RDA). In males 14 years and older, the RDA is 16 mg NE. In females 14 years and older, the RDA is 14 mg NE. While pregnant, the RDA is 18 mg NE. While breast-feeding, the RDA is 17 mg NE. In children, the RDA depends on age. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what dose might be best for a specific condition.

3-Pyridinecarboxylic Acid, Acide Nicotinique, Acide Pyridine-Carboxylique-3, Anti-Blacktongue Factor, Antipellagra Factor, B Complex Vitamin, Complexe de Vitamines B, Facteur Anti-Pellagre, Niacina, Niacine, Nicosedine, Nicotinic Acid, Pellagra Preventing Factor, Vitamin B3, Vitamin PP, Vitamina B3, Vitamine B3, Vitamine PP.

Natural Medicines disclaims any responsibility related to medical consequences of using any medical product. Effort is made to ensure that the information contained in this monograph is accurate at the time it was published. Consumers and medical professionals who consult this monograph are cautioned that any medical or product related decision is the sole responsibility of the consumer and/or the health care professional. A legal License Agreement sets limitations on downloading, storing, or printing content from this Database. Except for any possible exceptions written into your License Agreement, no reproduction of this monograph or any content from this Database is permitted without written permission from the publisher. Unlawful to download, store, or distribute content from this site.

For the latest comprehensive data on this and every other natural medicine, health professionals should consult the Professional Version of the Natural Medicines. It is fully referenced and updated daily.

© Copyright 1995-2022. Therapeutic Research Faculty, publishers of Natural Medicines, Prescriber's Letter, and Pharmacist's Letter. All rights reserved.

trclogo Licensed from Therapeutic Research Center, LLC Copyright © 1995-2023 by Therapeutic Research Center, LLC. All Rights Reserved.