Precautions
USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS
- 8.1 Pregnancy. Pregnancy Category C. ...
- 8.3 Nursing Mothers. Niacin is excreted into human milk but the actual infant dose or infant dose as a percent of the maternal dose is not known.
- 8.4 Pediatric Use. Safety and effectiveness of Niacin therapy in pediatric patients (≤16 years) have not been established.
- 8.5 Geriatric Use. ...
What are the most common uses of niacin?
More Fish High in Niacin
- 112% DV in a 6oz fillet of bluefin tuna
- 108% DV in a 6oz fillet of salmon
- 62% DV in 3oz of canned tuna
What food is a good source of niacin?
Therefore, here is a list of top 20 foods high in niacin:
- Rice Bran – 34mg/100g (170%DV)
- Shiitake Mushrooms – 14,1mg/100g (71%DV)
- Peanuts, dry-roasted, without salt – 13,5mg/100g (68%DV)
- Spirulina – 12,8mg/100g (64%DV)
- Sunflower Seeds, dry roasted – 7mg/100g (35%DV)
- Millet, raw – 4,7mg/100g (24%DV)
- Barley, pearled, raw – 4,6mg/100g (23%DV)
- Sesame Seeds, whole, dried – 4,5mg/100g (23%DV)
What foods have the highest niacin?
- Increase HDL (good) cholesterol. It prevents the breakdown of apolipoprotein A1, which is used to make HDL (good) cholesterol. ...
- Reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol. Niacin speeds the breakdown of apolipoprotein B in LDL (bad) cholesterol, causing less to be released by the liver. ...
- Lower triglycerides. ...
What are the effects of taking niacin?
See more

What is generic for Niacor?
Prescription niacin is available as a generic drug and as brand-name drugs. Brand names: Niacor, Niaspan. Niacor comes as an oral tablet, and Niaspan comes as an oral extended-release tablet. Generic niacin comes in both forms.
What is the difference between niacin and NIASPAN?
Niaspan contains niacin, also called nicotinic acid, a B vitamin (vitamin B3). It occurs naturally in plants and animals and is present in many multiple vitamin supplements. Niaspan ER is used to lower cholesterol and triglycerides (types of fat) in the blood.
What is the most common side effect of niacin?
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.
What are the side effects of taking NIASPAN?
Dizziness, stomach upset, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may also occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. To reduce the risk of dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.
Has NIASPAN been discontinued?
This product was discontinued on June 30, 2017. Please note that NIASPAN FCT® (extended-release film coated tablets) 500 mg and 1000 mg will remain on the market.
Can you buy NIASPAN over the counter?
Nicotinic acid, also known as vitamin B3 and more commonly known as nia- cin, is available in several formulations that include immediate-release (IR), sustained-release (SR), and extended- release (ER) products such as Niaspan (AbbVie). Only the IR and SR niacin formulations are available OTC in the United States.
Who should not take niacin?
People with a history of liver disease, kidney disease, or stomach ulcers should not take niacin supplements. Those with diabetes or gallbladder disease should do so only under the close supervision of their doctors. Stop taking niacin or niacinamide at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
What are the benefits of taking niacin?
As a supplement, niacin may help lower cholesterol, ease arthritis, and boost brain function, among other benefits....5 health benefits of niacinImproves blood fat levels. ... May reduce blood pressure. ... May help treat type 1 diabetes. ... Boosts brain function. ... Improves skin health.
Does niacin cause weight gain?
Niacin has been found to increase daily feed intake, weight gain and percentage of abdominal fat in chicken when increasing supplementation from 0 to 60 mg nicotinic acid per kilogram diet[24]. It has been found that formula feeding leads to more fat gain, which may account for increased risk of later obesity[81,82].
Can niacin damage your liver?
Niacin can cause mild-to-moderate serum aminotransferase elevations and high doses and certain formulations of niacin have been linked to clinically apparent, acute liver injury which can be severe as well as fatal.
How long does it take for niacin to lower cholesterol?
You should see changes within two to four weeks of taking statins or niacin.
How much does NIASPAN cost?
The cost for Niaspan oral tablet, extended release 500 mg is around $499 for a supply of 90 tablets, depending on the pharmacy you visit.
How to take Niacor?
How to use Niacor. Take this medication by mouth with food as directed by your doctor, usually 1-3 times daily. If you take this medicine once daily, take it with your evening meal. Taking niacin on an empty stomach increases side effects (such as flushing, upset stomach ). Niacin is available in different formulations (such as immediate ...
How is niacin used?
Niacin is used with a proper diet and exercise program to help lower "bad" cholesterol and fats ( LDL, triglycerides) and raise "good" cholesterol (HDL) in the blood. It is generally used after non-drug treatments have not been fully successful at lowering cholesterol.
How long before taking niacin before taking cholestyramine?
If you also take certain other drugs to lower your cholesterol (bile acid-binding resins such as cholestyramine or colestipol ), take niacin at least 4-6 hours before or after taking these medications. These products can react with niacin, preventing its full absorption.
How long before taking niacin should I take aspirin?
Taking a plain (non- enteric coated, 325 milligram) aspirin or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (such as ibuprofen, 200 milligrams) 30 minutes before taking niacin may help prevent flushing.
Is nicotinic acid a B complex?
Niacin is also known as vitamin B-3 ( nicotinic acid ), one of the B-complex vitamins. It may be used with or without other medications. Lowering "bad" cholesterol/ triglycerides and raising "good" cholesterol helps prevent strokes and heart attacks.
When to use nicotinic acid?
Caution should also be used when nicotinic acid is used in patients with unstable angina or in the acute phase of myocardial infarction, particularly when such patients are also receiving vasoactive drugs such as nitrates, calcium channel blockers, or adrenergic blocking agents.
How long does it take for a gram of nicotinuric acid to reach its peak?
At a 1 gram dose, peak plasma concentrations of 15 to 30 µg/mL are reached within 30 to 60 minutes. Approximately 88% of an oral pharmacologic dose is eliminated by the kidneys as unchanged drug and nicotinuric acid, its primary metabolite.
What should be done before nicotinic acid?
Before instituting therapy with nicotinic acid, an attempt should be made to control hyperlipidemia with appropriate diet, exercise, and weight reduction in obese patients, and to treat other underlying medical problems (see INDICATIONS ).
What is the recommended dosage of nicotinic acid?
Therapy with nicotinic acid may be considered for those subjects with triglyceride elevations between 1000 and 2000 mg/dL who have a history of pancreatitis or of recurrent abdominal pain typical of pancreatitis.
How much nicotinic acid should I take a day?
The usual adult dosage of nicotinic acid is 1 to 2 grams two or three times a day. Doses should be individualized according to the patient's response. Start with one-half tablet (250 mg) as a single daily dose following the evening meal.
Is nicotinic acid soluble in water?
Niacin or nicotinic acid, a water-soluble B-complex vitamin and antihyperlipidemic agent, is 3-pyridinecarboxylic acid. It is a white, crystalline powder, sparingly soluble in water. It has the following structural formula:
Is nicotinic acid carcinogenic?
Nicotinic acid administered to mice for a lifetime as a 1% solution in drinking water was not car cinogenic. The mice in this study received approximately 6-8 times a human dose of 3000 milligrams/day as determined on a milligram /square meter basis. Nicotinic acid was negative for mutagenicity in the Ames test. No studies on impairment of fertility have been performed.
How many mg is Niacor?
Niacor® (Niacin Tablets, USP) 500 mg. Each tablet is a white, capsule-shaped, scored, uncoated tablet, debossed "US" to the left and "67" to the right of the score, with "500" strength on the unscored side. Niacor ® is available in bottles of 100 tablets (NDC 71740-201-10).
When to use nicotinic acid?
Caution should also be used when nicotinic acid is used in patients with unstable angina or in the acute phase of myocardial infarction, particularly when such patients are also receiving vasoactive drugs such as nitrates, calcium channel blockers, or adrenergic blocking agents.
What should be done before nicotinic acid?
Before instituting therapy with nicotinic acid, an attempt should be made to control hyperlipidemia with appropriate diet, exercise, and weight reduction in obese patients, and to treat other underlying medical problems [see INDICATIONS AND USAGE ].
How much does nicotinamide reduce cholesterol?
Nicotinic acid (but not nicotinamide) in gram doses produces an average 10% to 20% reduction in total and LDL cholesterol, a 30% to 70% reduction in triglycerides, and an average 20% to 35% increase in HDL cholesterol.
How long does it take for nicotinic acid to be eliminated from the body?
The plasma elimination half-life of nicotinic acid ranges from 20 to 45 minutes.
Is nicotinic acid soluble in water?
Niacin or nicotinic acid, a water-soluble B-complex vitamin and antihyperlipidemic agent, is 3-pyridinecarboxylic acid. It is a white, crystalline powder, sparingly soluble in water. It has the following structural formula:
Is nicotinic acid carcinogenic?
Nicotinic acid administered to mice for a lifetime as a 1% solution in drinking water was not carcinogenic. The mice in this study received approximately 6 to 8 times a human dose of 3,000 milligrams/day as determined on a milligram/square meter basis. Nicotinic acid was negative for mutagenicity in the Ames test. No studies on impairment of fertility have been performed.
What is nicotinic acid used for?
Niacin, nicotinic acid, vitamin B3 Niacor, Niaspan, Slo-Niacin, Nicolar (discontinued) is used medically to treat people with niacin deficiency. Advanced deficiency of niacin can lead to pellagra. Niacin is also prescribed for the treatment of high cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood. Side effects, drug interactions, warnings and precautions, and patient safety information should be reviewed prior to taking any medication.
What is the purpose of niacin?
It is used medically to treat individuals with deficiency of niacin. Advanced deficiency of niacin can lead to a condition called pellagra in which individuals develop diarrhea, dermatitis (inflammation of the skin), ...
How long should niacin be separated from cholestyramine?
Administration of bile acid sequestrants and niacin should be separated by 4-6 hours.
How long before niacin can you take aspirin?
diarrhea, itching and. tingling sensations of the extremities. Flushing may be reduced by taking 325 mg of aspirin 30 minutes before the niacin and by increasing the dose of niacin slowly. Drinking hot liquids or alcohol shortly before or after niacin is taken may increase the occurrence of flushing.
What drugs interact with niacin?
Which drugs or supplements interact with niacin? Use of niacin with drugs that cause liver or muscle injury, for example, lovastatin ( Mevacor) or simvastatin ( Zocor) may increase the occurrence of liver or muscle injury. Niacin may increase blood glucose levels in individuals with diabetes.
Can you breastfeed with niacin?
Niacin is actively secreted in breast milk. Therefore, nursing mothers taking niacin should avoid breastfeeding or discontinue niacin in order to prevent the newborn from ingesting large amounts of niacin.
Can you chew extended release niacin?
Extended release tablets should be swallowed whole and should not be crushed or chewed. Extended release formulations should not be substituted with equivalent doses of immediate release niacin since this leads to an overdose of niacin that may cause liver failure.
How it works
Niacin belongs to a class of drugs called antilipemic agents. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions.
Serious side effects
Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:
Cholesterol drugs
Certain cholesterol drugs called statins may increase your risk of muscle problems when taken with niacin. Examples of these drugs include:
Alcohol interaction warning
The use of drinks that contain alcohol can increase your risk of reddening and warming of your face (flushing) and itching caused by niacin. Your body also processes alcohol and niacin in similar ways. If you drink alcohol, talk to your doctor. You may need to avoid drinking alcohol around the time that you take niacin.
Warnings for people with certain health conditions
For people with liver disease: You shouldn’t take niacin if you have liver disease or abnormally high liver function blood tests. This drug can make your liver disease worse.
Warnings for other groups
For pregnant women: Niacin is a category C pregnancy drug. This means two things:
Dosage for lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels and reducing risk of a heart attack
Extended-release tablet: The starting dosage is 500 mg taken by mouth once per day at bedtime. After 4 weeks, your doctor may increase your dosage by up to 500 mg. The standard maintenance dosage is 1,000–2,000 mg taken once daily at bedtime.
What is niacin used for?
Overview. Niacin is a B vitamin that's made and used by your body to turn food into energy. It helps keep your nervous system, digestive system and skin healthy. Niacin (vitamin B-3) is often part of a daily multivitamin, but most people get enough niacin from the food they eat. Foods rich in niacin include yeast, milk, meat, ...
What foods contain niacin?
Foods rich in niacin include yeast, milk, meat, tortillas and cereal grains. People use prescription niacin (Niacor, Niaspan) to help control their cholesterol. The recommended daily amount of niacin for adult males is 16 milligrams (mg) a day and for adult women who aren't pregnant, 14 mg a day.
Does niacin help with cholesterol?
Prescription niacin is used to increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol — the "good" cholesterol that helps remove low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the "bad" cholesterol, from your bloodstream.
Does niacin lower blood sugar?
Taking niacin with chromium might lower your blood sugar. If you have diabetes and take niacin and chromium, closely monitor your blood sugar levels. Diabetes drugs. If you have diabetes, niacin can interfere with blood glucose control. You might need to adjust the dose of your diabetes drugs.
Does niacin cause blood pressure?
Taking niacin with them might increase your risk of bleeding. Blood pressure drugs, herbs and supplements. Niacin might have an additive effect when you take blood pressure drugs, herbs or supplements. This could increase your risk of low blood pressure (hypotension).
Can you take niacin while pregnant?
If you're pregnant, don't take prescription niacin for high cholesterol. However, if needed to prevent or treat niacin deficiency, niacin is likely safe to take during pregnancy and in breast-feeding women when used in recommended amounts.
Can niacin cause peptic ulcers?
The supplement has been linked with liver damage, can cause hypotension and might activate a peptic ulcer. Taking niacin also might worsen allergies , gallbladder disease and symptoms of certain thyroid disorders. If you have diabetes, niacin can interfere with blood glucose control.
What is niacin used for?
Niacin is an essential B vitamin that promotes improved heart, skin, eye, and brain health. To find out more on its proven health benefits, the dosages to respect, and potential risks, see below: Contents [ hide]
How to get niacin?
The body can obtain a small dosage of niacin through food. Familiar food sources that contain niacin include meat, poultry, fish, and eggs. To i ncrease daily intake, a person can take niacin in the supplement form. Within niacin, there are two chemical formations, nicotinic acid, and niacinamide.
How to get more niacin?
To obtain more niacin, the following doses are the general daily amounts to respect: 1 Children: 250mg daily, for those over 16 years of age 2 Adults: 250mg daily, which can be increased
Does niacin lower cholesterol?
Niacin has been a useful ingredient to lower LDL and triglycerides for decades. Although it is not a source to entirely rely on, it has shown impressive results. A clinical study for effect niacin has on cholesterol levels show a decrease in bad cholesterol (LDL) by up to 20%.
Does niacin help with heart disease?
Due to the positive effect niacin has on cholesterol levels, the B vitamin may also reduce heart disease risk. Strokes, heart attacks, and infections are all issues that may be preventable with regular use of niacin.
Can niacin be taken orally?
Niacin can be taken orally or used as a cream. The risk of non-melanoma skin cancers has proven in a study to reduce with regular daily consumption of niacin. Niacin therapy works to protect the cells in the skin and blocks harmful rays, which can cause cancer.
Does niacin lower insulin levels?
3 – Decreases the risk of type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is common for all ages. This autoimmune disorder attacks cells and causes insulin levels to drop very low. Niacin works to protect these cells and stabilize insulin levels.
What is the role of niacin in cellular metabolism?
Furthermore, it plays a role in cell signaling and making and repairing DNA, in addition to acting as an antioxidant ( 4.
What is the best way to get niacin?
Niacin is one of eight B vitamins that are important for every part of your body. Luckily, you can get all the niacin you need through your diet. Foods that provide niacin include meat, fish and nuts. However, supplemental forms are sometimes recommended to treat certain medical conditions, including high cholesterol.
Is niacin rare in Western countries?
Skin problems. That said, deficiency is very rare in most Western countries. Severe niacin deficiency, or pellagra, mostly occurs in developing countries, where diets are not as varied. Summary. Niacin is a vitamin that acts as an. antioxidant and plays a role in cell signaling and DNA repair.
Can niacin be used for high cholesterol?
However, niacin is not the primary treatment for high cholesterol due to its possible side effects ( 11 ). Rather, it’s primarily used as a cholesterol-lowering treatment for people who can’t tolerate statins ( 12. Trusted Source. ).
Does nicotinamide help with skin cancer?
Recent research suggests it may help prevent some types of skin cancer as well ( 21. Trusted Source. ). One study found that taking 500 mg of nicotinamide — a form of niacin — twice daily reduced rates of non-melanoma skin cancer among high-risk individuals ( 22. Trusted Source.
Can niacin cause a flush?
Below are some of the most common side effects of niacin supplements: Niacin flush: Nicotinic acid supplements may cause a flush on the face, chest or neck that. results from blood vessel dilation. You may also experience a tingling, burning. sensation or pain ( 32.
Is niacin a trusted source?
Trusted Source. , 3. Trusted Source. ). Niacin is water-soluble, so your body doesn’t store it . This also means that your body can excrete excess amounts of the vitamin if it’s not needed. Your body gets niacin through food but also makes small amounts from the amino acid tryptophan. Summary.

Niacor Description
Niacin (nicotinic acid) is used to prevent and treat niacin deficiency (pellagra).
May Treat: High density lipoprotein deficiency · Hypercholesterolemia · Hyperlipidemia · Hypertriglyceridemia · Mixed hyperlipidemia and more
Alternate Brand Names: Slo-Niacin
Drug Class: Antihyperlipidemic - Nicotinic Acid Derivatives · Vitamins - B-3, Niacin and Derivatives
Availability: Prescription sometimes needed
Pregnancy: Consult a doctor before using
May Treat: High density lipoprotein deficiency · Hypercholesterolemia · Hyperlipidemia · Hypertriglyceridemia · Mixed hyperlipidemia and more
Alternate Brand Names: Slo-Niacin
Drug Class: Antihyperlipidemic - Nicotinic Acid Derivatives · Vitamins - B-3, Niacin and Derivatives
Availability: Prescription sometimes needed
Pregnancy: Consult a doctor before using
Lactation: Consult a doctor before using
Alcohol: Limit intake while taking this medication
Driving: May cause drowsiness or dizziness. Use caution
Niacor - Clinical Pharmacology
Indications and Usage For Niacor
Contraindications
Warnings
Precautions
- The role of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in atherogenesis is supported by pathological observations, clinical studies, and many animal experiments. Observational epidemiological studies have clearly established that high total or LDL cholesterol and low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol are risk factors for coronary heart disease. The Coronary Drug Project1, compl…
Adverse Reactions
- I. Therapy with lipid-altering agents should be only one component of multiple risk factor intervention in those individuals at significantly increased risk for atherosclerotic vascular disease due to hypercholesterolemia. Nicotinic acid, alone or in combination with a bile-acid binding resin, is indicated as an adjunct to diet for the reduction of elevated total and LDL cholesterol levels in …
Niacor Dosage and Administration
- Nicotinic acid is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to any component of this medication; significant or unexplained hepatic dysfunction; active peptic ulcer disease; or arterial bleeding.
How Is Niacor Supplied
- Liver Dysfunction
Cases of severe hepatic toxicity, including fulminant hepatic necrosis have occurred in patients who have substituted sustained-release (modified-release, timed-release) nicotinic acid products for immediate-release (crystalline) nicotinic acid at equivalent doses. Liver function tests shoul… - Skeletal Muscle
Rare cases of rhabdomyolysis have been associated with concomitant administration of lipid-altering doses (≥1 g/day) of nicotinic acid and HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. Physicians contemplating combined therapy with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors and nicotinic acid should c…
References
- General
Before instituting therapy with nicotinic acid, an attempt should be made to control hyperlipidemia with appropriate diet, exercise, and weight reduction in obese patients, and to treat other underlying medical problems [see INDICATIONS AND USAGE]. Patients with a past history of jau… - Drug Interactions
See WARNINGS, Skeletal Muscle. Nicotinic acid may potentiate the effects of ganglionic blocking agents and vasoactive drugs resulting in postural hypotension. Concomitant aspirin may decrease the metabolic clearance of nicotinic acid. The clinical relevance of this finding is unclear. Conco…