Details

Niacin, also called nicotinic acid, is a B vitamin (vitamin B3). It occurs naturally in plants and animals, and is also added to many foods as a vitamin supplement. It is also present in many multiple vitamins and nutritional supplements. Niacin is used to treat and prevent a lack of natural niacin in the body, and to lower cholesterol and triglycerides (types of fat) in the blood. It is also used to lower the risk of heart attack in people with high cholesterol who have already had a heart attack. It is sometimes used to treat coronary artery disease (also called atherosclerosis). Niacin can cause certain side effects, such as flushing (warmth, itching, redness, or tingly feeling under your skin). These effects can be made worse if you drink alcohol or hot beverages shortly after you take niacin. To make sure you can safely take niacin, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease heart disease or uncontrolled angina (chest pain) a stomach ulcer diabetes gout or a muscle disorder such as myasthenia gravis.

Typical Uses

Niacin is used for high cholesterol. It is also used along with other treatments for circulation problems, migraine headache, dizziness, and to reduce the diarrhoea associated with cholera. Niacin is also used for preventing positive urine drug screens in people who take illegal drugs.

Side Effects

Common niacin side effects may include feeling like you might pass out fast, pounding, or uneven heart beats feeling short of breath swelling jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes) or muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness with fever or flu symptoms and dark coloured urine. If you are diabetic, tell your doctor about any changes in your blood sugar levels.

Drug Interactions

• Niacin+atorvastatin- The following interaction applies only if you are taking high dosages of niacin for the treatment of high cholesterol. It does not apply if you are taking niacin at dosages commonly used in nutritional supplements. Using atorvastatin together with niacin may increase the risk of a rare but serious condition called rhabdomyolysis that involves the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue. In some cases, rhabdomyolysis can cause kidney damage and even death.
• Niacin+cerivastatin- The following interaction applies only if you are taking high dosages of niacin for the treatment of high cholesterol. It does not apply if you are taking niacin at dosages commonly used in nutritional supplements. Using cerivastatin together with niacin may increase the risk of a rare but serious condition called rhabdomyolysis that involves the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue. In some cases, rhabdomyolysis can cause kidney damage and even death.
• Niacin+mipomersen- Mipomersen may cause liver problems, and using it with other medications that can also affect the liver such as niacin may increase that risk. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol to no more than one drink per day while being treated with these medications.
• Niacin+teriflunomide- Teriflunomide may cause liver problems, and using it with other medications that can also affect the liver such as niacin may increase that risk. Because teriflunomide can stay in your blood for a prolonged period after the last dose, interactions with other drugs may occur for some time even after you have stopped taking it. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with these medications.

Mechanism of action

Niacin or nicotinic acid (Vitamin B3) belongs to class of drugs called vitamins. It reduces the rate of production of bad cholesterol and increases level of good cholesterol, thereby preventing the hardening of blood vessels.

Pregnancy Category : C