Niacin

From Pharmacy Drug Guide

Niacin, or nicotinic acid, is vitamin B3, one of the eight necessary B vitamins. Vitamin B3 also comes in two other varieties: inositol hexanicotinate and niacinamide, each of which affects the body differently than nicotinic acid.

All of the B-complex vitamins assist in the body's conversion of carbohydrates into energy. Niacin also helps the body metabolize fats, and widens the blood vessels for increased blood flow. This function of niacin as a vasodilator is what causes the signature flushing side effect. Niacin also helps the nervous system function correctly and is essential for a healthy liver, eyes, skin and hair.^[1]

Niacin is available in both over the counter and high potency prescription formulations. Doctors sometimes prescribe high-dose niacin, sometimes in combination with a statin and along with changes in diet and exercise, as a cardiovascular agent to reduce the amount of LDL "bad" cholesterol and triglycerides in the bloodstream, and to increase the levels of HDL or "good" cholesterol.^[2]

Contents 1 Niacin Overview 2 Prescription Drugs 3 Niacin Abuse 4 Niacin Side Effects 5 Niacin Deficiency 6 Prescription Forms of Niacin 7 References

Niacin Overview

Most multivitamins include niacin, and it is an additive in countless processed foods. Because people can generally get all of the niacin they need from food, such as whole grains, fish, beans, eggs, milk and green vegetables, deficiencies in this vitamin are unusual.^[5] Niacin helps the body produce a number of stress and sex-related hormones, and improves circulation. Like all of the B complex vitamins, Niacin is water-soluble, so it passes through the body without being stored and needs to be replenished continuously.^[1]

Niacin is also used to increase high-density lipoprotein, or HDL - good cholesterol.

Prescription Drugs

Niacin Abuse

Some users of illegal drugs may take high doses of niacin in attempts to pass urinalysis drug tests. However, there is no evidence that this approach results in "clean" urine or can otherwise result in a negative drug scan. Those who abuse niacin for this purpose put themselves at risk for side effects while most likely accomplishing nothing in the process.^[6]

Niacin Side Effects

Some common side effects of niacin include flushing (redness in the upper body), upset stomach, diarrhea, bloating, and a warm or tingling sensation under the skin. More severe side effects are skin-yellowing (which can also occur in the eyes), passing out, and a pounding, unusually quick heartbeat. The flushing effect may be more pronounced when niacin users drink alcohol. Some OTC drugs, such as Motrin, Advil and Aleve, may help to reduce flushing if taken 1/2-hour prior to consuming niacin supplements.^[2]

Niacin Deficiency

All of the human body's needs for niacin can be met through a balanced diet. Vitamin B3 deficiency is very rare in the developed world. One of the main causes of B3 deficiency is chronic alcoholism. Some of the signs of a deficiency are fatigue, canker sores, vomiting, depression and indigestion. A severe deficiency can lead to the disease pellagra, symptoms of which include diarrhea, scaly and cracking skin, and dementia. Niacin deficiency can also lead to bright red tongue and a burning sensation in the mouth.^[1]

Prescription Forms of Niacin

• Niaspan

Niaspan is a purified, high potency prescription Niacian medication. Doctors prescribe Niaspan to patients with abnormal cholesterol levels. Niaspan was approved by the FDA in 1997 to help raise good cholesterol levels and lower bad cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the bloodstream, along with changes in diet and exercise. According to manufacturer Abbott Laboratories, Niaspan decreases the risk of those who have had a heart attack and have high cholesterol of having another heart attack. It can also slow the pace of plaque buildup in the arteries and assist in clearing away plaque that is already there.

• Advicor

Advicor is a 2-in-1 prescription drug that combines extended-release niacin with lovastatin, a type of statin. Other statin drugs have been mixed with niacin in clinical trials, including Zocor, a brand of simvastatin. According to Advicor maker Abbott Laboratories, doctors prescribe Advicor along with a diet low in cholesterol and saturated fat when other therapies and non-drug measures have not succeeded.

A U.S. govenment study from May, 2011 showed that prescribing high doses of niacin with statins to patients with heart disease for cholesterol is not better than niacin alone at preventing strokes and heart attacks. This study challenges the prevalent idea that raising "good" HDL cholesterol further reduces heart disease and stroke risks in those who have their "bad" LDL cholesterol under control.^{[7] [8]}

Also See: Niacin Side Effects, Niaspan Side Effects, Advicor Side Effects, Biotin Side Effects, Biotin, Biotin Coupons, Vitamin Coupons, Vitamin B12 Coupons, Zinc Coupons, Fish Oil Coupons, Caltrate Coupons, Aspirin Coupons, DHEA Coupons, GNC Coupons

References

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3} http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/vitamin-b3-000335.htm
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3} http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000700/
3. ↑ http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda/index.cfm?fuseaction=Search.Overview&DrugName=NIACIN
4. ↑ http://www.advicor.com/
5. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/niacin/CL00036.
6. ↑ http://norml.org/legal/drug-testing/item/drug-testing-tips
7. ↑ http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/05/26/us-heart-niacin-idUSTRE74P4SN20110526
8. ↑ http://www.nih.gov/news/health/may2011/nhlbi-26.htm