Niacin Side Effects

From Pharmacy Drug Guide

Niacin, available over the counter and in prescription form, is often used to increase high-density lipoprotein, or HDL, the ‘good’ cholesterol. One of the B vitamins, niacin turns carbohydrates into energy.^[1] Niacin helps keep the nervous and digestive systems, skin, hair and eyes healthy. Often part of a multivitamin, most people get enough niacin from the food they eat, including meat, fish, milk, eggs, green vegetables, beans and cereal grains.^[1] Niacin does have side effects, some potentially serious, so high doses of niacin (50 mg or more) should not be taken without consulting a healthcare professional.^[2]

Along with other treatments, niacin is sometimes used for circulation problems, migraine headaches and dizziness.^[3] Some people use niacin to prevent Vitamin B3 deficiency, to treat acne, leprosy, memory loss, arthritis, prevent premenstrual headaches, improve digestion, protect against toxins and pollutants, pass drug tests, reduce the effects of aging, lower blood pressure, improve circulation, enhance relaxation and guard against cataracts, even though the medical evidence to support niacin’s effectiveness as a treatment for these conditions is inconclusive. Experts argue about the efficacy of niacin as treatment for attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, commonly known as ADHD.^[3]

Contents 1 Common Niacin Side Effects 2 Niacin Flush 3 About Drug Side Effects 4 Niacin Allergic Reactions 5 Niacin Precautions and Warnings 6 References

Common Niacin Side Effects

Common side effects include diarrhea, dizziness, headache, heartburn, cough, indigestion and vomiting. Patients have also reported black or bloody stool, decrease in or dark-colored urine, flu-like symptoms, i.e. increased sweating, loss of appetite, muscle pain, tenderness, swelling or weakness, numbness, bruising or bleeding, a raspy voice and yellow skin or eyes.^[4]

Niacin Flush

Niacin is a vasodilator, which means it makes the blood vessels wider, allowing more blood to pass through them. This increased blood flow through the capillaries causes the niacin flush: red, itchy, tingling skin on the face or trunk. There are formulations of niacin that are marketed as flush-free. Taking an aspirin half an hour before taking niacin can minimize the niacin flush.^[2]

About Drug Side Effects

Niacin Allergic Reactions

Medical experts advise that the patient should seek immediate medical attention if any of these severe allergic reactions occur:

• Rash
• Hives and Itching
• Labored breathing or shortness of breath
• Chest tightness
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Swelling of the mouth, face, lips or tongue, hands legs or feet
• Changes in vision
• Fainting
• Severe dizziness or headache^[4]

Niacin Precautions and Warnings

Seek medical guidance if you abuse alcohol now or in the past, have diabetes, an ulcer, active gallbladder, liver or kidney disease, a bleeding disorder that requires anti-clotting medication, angina or gout.^[5] Niacin may harm a fetus and could pass into breast milk.^[4]

Patients taking niacin supplements should also take a B complex vitamin to avoid an imbalance in the level of B vitamins.^[2]

Also See: Vitamin B12 Coupons, Zinc Coupons, Calcium Coupons, Niacin Coupons

References

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/niacin/CL00036.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3} http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/vitamin-b3-000335.htm
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} .http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/924.html
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2} http://www.drugs.com/sfx/niacin-side-effects.html
5. ↑ http://cholesterol.about.com/od/nicotinicacid/a/niacincond.htm