Niacinamide

There are two forms of vitamin B3 - niacin and niacinamide. Niacinamide is found in many foods including yeast, meat, fish, milk, eggs, green vegetables, beans, and cereal grains. Niacinamide is also found in many vitamin B complex supplements with other B vitamins. Niacinamide can also be formed in the body from dietary niacin.

Do not confuse niacinamide with niacin, NADH, nicotinamide riboside, inositol nicotinate, or tryptophan. See the separate listings for these topics.

Niacinamide is used to prevent vitamin B3 deficiency and related conditions such as pellagra. It is also used for acne, diabetes, oral cancer, osteoarthritis, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Niacinamide can be made from niacin in the body. Niacin is converted to niacinamide when it is taken in amounts greater than what is needed by the body. Niacinamide is easily dissolved in water and is well-absorbed when taken by mouth.

Niacinamide is required for the proper function of fats and sugars in the body and to maintain healthy cells.

Unlike niacin, niacinamide has no beneficial effects on fats and should not be used for treating high cholesterol or high fat levels in the blood.

When taken by mouth: Niacinamide is LIKELY SAFE for most adults when taken in the recommended amounts. Unlike niacin, niacinamide does not cause flushing. However, niacinamide might cause minor side effects such as stomach upset, gas, dizziness, rash, itching, and other problems. To reduce the risk of these side effects, adults should avoid taking niacinamide in doses greater than 35 mg per day.

When doses of over 3 grams per day of niacinamide are taken, more serious side effects can happen. These include liver problems or high blood sugar.

When applied to the skin: Niacinamide is POSSIBLY SAFE. Niacinamide cream might cause mild burning, itching, or redness.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

ADULTS

BY MOUTH:

• General: Some dietary supplement products might not list niacinamide separately on the label. Instead, it might be listed under niacin. Niacin is measured in niacin equivalents (NE). A dose of 1 mg of niacinamide is the same as 1 mg NE. The daily recommended dietary allowances (RDAs) for niacinamide in adults are 16 mg NE for men, 14 mg NE for women, 18 mg NE for pregnant women, and 17 mg NE for lactating women.
• For acne: Tablets containing 750 mg of niacinamide, 25 mg of zinc, 1.5 mg of copper, and 500 mcg of folic acid (Nicomide) once or twice daily have been used. Also, 1-4 tablets containing niacinamide, azelaic acid, zinc, vitamin B6, copper, and folic acid (NicAzel, Elorac Inc., Vernon Hills, IL) have been taken daily.
• For vitamin B3 deficiency symptoms such as pellagra: 300-500 mg per day of niacinamide is given in divided doses.
• For diabetes: Niacinamide 1.2 grams/m² (body surface area) or 25-50 mg/kg is used daily for slowing progression of type 1 diabetes. Also, 0.5 grams of niacinamide three times daily is used to slow the progression of type 2 diabetes.
• For high levels of phosphate in the blood (hyperphosphatemia): Niacinamide from 500 mg up to 1.75 grams daily in divided doses is used for 8-12 weeks.
• For skin cancers other than melanoma: 500 mg of niacinamide once or twice daily for 4-12 months.
• For treating osteoarthritis: 3 grams of niacinamide per day in divided doses for 12 weeks.

• Acne: A gel containing 4% niacinamide twice daily.

• General: The daily recommended dietary allowances (RDAs) for niacinamide in children are 2 mg for infants 0-6 months of age, 4 mg NE for infants 7-12 months of age, 6 mg NE for children 1-3 years of age, 8 mg NE for children 4-8 years of age, 12 mg NE for children 9-13 years of age, 16 mg NE for men 14-18 years of age, and 14 mg NE for women 14-18 years of age.
• For acne: In children at least 12 years of age, 1-4 tablets containing niacinamide, azelaic acid, zinc, vitamin B6, copper, and folic acid (NicAzel, Elorac Inc., Vernon Hills, IL) are taken daily.
• For pellagra: 100-300 mg of niacinamide is given daily in divided doses.
• For type 1 diabetes: 1.2 grams/m² (body surface area) or 25-50 mg/kg of niacinamide is used daily for slowing progression of or preventing type 1 diabetes.

3-Pyridine Carboxamide, 3-Pyridinecarboxamide, Amide de l'Acide Nicotinique, B Complex Vitamin, Complexe de Vitamines B, Niacinamida, Nicamid, Nicosedine, Nicotinamide, Nicotinic Acid Amide, Nicotylamidum, Pyridine-3-carboxamide, Vitamin B3, Vitamina B3, Vitamine B3.

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