Niacin: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use it

What Drug Niacin?

What is niacin for?

Niacin (Niacin acid) is a drug used to prevent and treat niacin (pellagra) deficiency. Niacin deficiency can be caused by certain medical conditions (such as alcohol abuse, malabsorption syndrome, Hartnup's disease), poor diet, or long-term use of certain drugs (such as isoniazid).

Lack of niacin can cause diarrhea, confusion (dementia), redness / swelling of the tongue, and red, flaky skin. Niacin is also known as vitamin B3, a B-complex vitamin. Vitamins help in supporting the body's ability to make and break down natural (metabolic) compounds that are necessary for good health. Niacinamide (nicotinamide) is a different form of vitamin B3 and does not work the same way as niacin. Do not replace Niacin with other drugs without your doctor's permission.

Check the ingredients on the label even if you have used the product before. The manufacturer may have changed the ingredients. Products with similar names may contain different ingredients and have different uses. Using products that are not intended specifically for your health condition could be life threatening.

OTHER USES: This section lists uses for this drug that are not listed on approved labels, but may be prescribed by your healthcare professional. Use this medication for the conditions listed below only if it has been prescribed by your doctor and health care professional.

With the supervision of a doctor, niacin can also be used to increase cholesterol and low levels of fat (triglycerides) in the blood. It is generally used after non-drug treatments have not been completely successful in lowering cholesterol. The dosage for treating these blood fat problems is usually much higher than for dietary problems.

How to use niacin?

Put this medication by mouth with a low-fat meal or snack as directed by your doctor, usually 1-3 times a day. Taking niacin on an empty stomach can increase side effects (such as redness, upset stomach). Follow all directions on the product packaging. If your doctor has prescribed this medication, take it as directed. If you are unsure about any information, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Niacin is available in different formulations (immediate-release and extended-release). Do not change the strength, brand, or form of niacin. It can cause severe liver disease to occur.

Swallow the extended-release capsule whole. Do not crush or chew an extended-release capsule or tablet. Doing so can release all of the drug at once, and this can increase the risk of side effects. Do not split extended-release tablets unless they have a dividing line, and your doctor or pharmacist tells you to do so. Swallow the drug whole.

To reduce the chance of side effects such as redness, avoid alcohol, hot drinks, and eating spicy foods when you are taking niacin right away. Taking pure aspirin (non-entericcoated, 325 milligrams) or a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (such as asibuprofen, 200 milligrams) 30 minutes before taking niacin can help prevent flushing. Ask your doctor whether this treatment is right for you or not.

If you are also taking certain other medicines to lower cholesterol (bile acid-binding resins, such as cholestyramine or colestipol), take niacin at least 4 to 6 hours before or after taking this medicine. These products interact with niacin, and may prevent full absorption. Continue to take your other medications for lowering cholesterol as directed by your doctor.

Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. If you are taking this for lipid problems, your doctor may advise you to start this medication at a low dose and gradually increase the dose to reduce your risk of side effects. Your dose will need to be increased slowly even if you are already taking niacin and are being switched from another niacin product for this product. Follow the doctor's instructions carefully.

Do not stop taking this medication unless instructed by your doctor. If you stop taking niacin, you may need to repeat your initial dose and gradually increase it again. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for instructions on repeating your dose if you haven't taken your medicine for several days.

Use this remedy regularly for best results. To help you remember, take the medicine every day at the same time.

It is very important to continue to follow your doctor's advice on diet and exercise.

If your condition persists or worsens, or if you think you may have a serious medical problem, seek medical help as soon as possible.

How to store niacin?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Niacin dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dose of niacin for adults?

Dosage for hyperlipoproteinemia type IV (high VLDL) in adults
Initial dose: 100 mg orally 3 times a day, during or after meals.
Maintenance dose: 1 to 2 g orally 3 times a day, during or after meals.
The maximum recommended dose is 6 g / day.
extended-release (Niaspan):
Initial dose: 500 mg orally once a day at bedtime after a low-fat snack. The maximum recommended dose is 2 g / day.
extended-release (Slo-niacin):
initial dose: 250-750 mg orally once a day, morning or evening.

Dosage for hyperlipoproteinemia Type V (high chylomicrons + VLDL) in adults
Initial dose: 100 mg orally 3 times a day, during or after meals.
Maintenance dose: 1 - 2 g orally 3 times a day, during or after meals.
The maximum recommended dose is 6 g / day.
extended-release (Niaspan):
Initial dose: 500 mg orally once a day at bedtime after a low-fat snack. The maximum recommended dose is 2 g / day.
extended-release (Slo-niacin):
initial dose: 250-750 mg orally once a day, morning or evening.

Dosage for Pellagra in adults
50 - 100 mg orally 3 to 4 times a day.
The maximum recommended dose is 500 mg, orally every day.

Dosage for niacin deficiency in adults
10 - 20 mg orally once a day. niacin can also be administered parenterally as a component of an injectable multivitamin additive contained in parenteral nutrition products.
The maximum recommended dose is 100 mg orally every day.

What is the dose of niacin for children?

Dosage for Pellagra in children
50 - 100 mg orally 3 times a day.
Note: Some experts prefer niacinamide for treatment because of its more favorable side effect profile.

Dosage for Niacin Deficiency in children
Recommended dosage according to Nutritional Needs Figures (RDA):
1 - 5 months: 2 mg orally every day.
6 - 11 months: 3 mg orally every day.
1 - 3 years: 6 mg orally every day.
4 - 8 years: 8 mg orally every day.
9-13 years: 12 mg orally every day.

Boys:
14-18 years: 16 mg orally every day.
Teenage girls:
14-18 years: 14 mg orally every day.

In what dosage is niacin available?

Capsule tablet, Oral: 500 mg, 750 mg, 1000 mg.

Niacin side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to niacin?

Seek immediate medical help if you experience any of the following signs of an allergic reaction: difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Contact your doctor if you experience the following serious side effects:

• feeling like you might pass out
• fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
• feeling short of breath
• swelling
• jaundice (skin or eyes)
• muscle aches, tenderness, or weakness followed by fever or flu symptoms, dark colored urine
• if you have diabetes, tell your doctor about changes in your blood sugar levels

The more common side effects include:

• lightheadedness
• feeling warm, reddish or tingling under your skin
• itchy, dry skin
• sweating or chills
• nausea, diarrhea, belching, passing gas
• muscle aches, leg cramps
• sleep problems (insomnia)

Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Niacin Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using niacin?

Before consuming niacin,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to niacin, any other medication, or any of the ingredients in niacin tablets. Ask your pharmacist or check the product information section for a list of the ingredients in the medicine
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and non-prescription drugs, as well as vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or intending to take. Be sure to mention one of the following: anticoagulants (“blood thinners”) such as warfarin (Coumadin); aspirin; insulin or oral medications for diabetes; medications for high blood pressure; nutritional supplements or other products containing niacin; or other drugs to lower cholesterol or triglycerides. If you are taking insulin or oral diabetes medications, your dose may need to be changed because niacin can increase the amount of sugar in your blood and urine
• tell your doctor if you are taking a bile acid-binding resin, such as colestipol (Colestid) or cholestyramine (Questran), take it at least 4 to 6 hours before or 4 to 6 hours after niacin
• tell your doctor if you consume large amounts of alcohol and if you have or have ever had diabetes; gout; boils; allergy; jaundice (skin or eyes); bleeding problems; or gallbladder, liver, or kidney disease
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking niacin, stop taking niacin and call your doctor
• tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking niacin
• ask your doctor if it is safe to consume alcohol during niacin therapy. Alcohol can make the side effects of niacin worse
• It is important to know that niacin causes a flushing / warm sensation (redness, warmth, itching, tingling) on ​​the face, neck, chest, or back. These side effects usually disappear after taking the drug for a few weeks. Avoid consuming alcohol or hot drinks or eating spicy food when you are about to consume niacin. Taking aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn) 30 minutes before taking niacin can reduce skin redness. If you take extended-release niacin at bedtime, flushing may occur while you are sleeping. If you wake up and feel hot, get up slowly, especially if you feel dizzy or pass out

Is niacin safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category C according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = Not at risk
• B = No risk in several studies
• C = May be risky
• D = There is positive evidence of risk
• X = Contraindicated
• N = Unknown

There are not sufficient studies in breastfeeding women to know the risks to the baby when using this medicine during breastfeeding. Consider the benefits and risks before using this medication while breastfeeding.

Niacin Drug Interactions

What drugs might interact with niacin?

Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this document. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without your doctor's approval.

Tell your doctor about all other cholesterol-lowering drugs you take with niacin, especially atorvastatin (Lipitor, Caduet), fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (Mevacor, Altoprev, Advicor), pravastatin (Pravachol), or simvastatin (Zocor, Simcor, Vytorin, Juvisync).

Ask your doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to take niacin if you are also taking any of the following drugs:

• blood thinners, such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven)
• multivitamin or mineral supplements containing niacin
• heart or blood pressure medications such as amlodipine (Norvasc, Caduet, Exforge, Lotrel, Tekamlo, Tribenzor, Twynsta, Amturnide), diltiazem (Cardizem, Cartia, Dilacor, Diltia, Diltzac, Taztia, Tiazac), felodipine (Plendil), nicardipine ), nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat), nimodipine (Nimotop), nisoldipine (Sular), or verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan); or
• heart medications such as doxazosin (Cardura), mononitrate (dinitrate, Imdur, Isordil, Monoket, Sorbitrate), nitroglycerin (Nitro-Bid, Nitro-Dur, Nitrostat), prazosin (Minipress), or terazosin (Hytrin)

Can food or alcohol interact with niacin?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interact with niacin?

Any other health conditions you have can affect the use of this drug. Always tell your doctor if you have other health problems, in particular:

• bleeding problems,
• diabetes mellitus
• glaucoma
• gout
• liver disease or a history of jaundice
• low blood pressure
• ulcer - niacin can make this condition worse
• kidney problems - extended-release niacin tablets can make your kidney problems worse.

Niacin overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.