Sitename.com
Diseases Symptoms Drugs Injuries Surgeries Vitamins Pediatric Symptoms
  home         about us         support center         contact us         terms of service         site map

Niacinamide

Basic Information

Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B-3 and sometimes called
nicotinamide.
Brand names:
Niacinamide Capsules
Niacinamide Tablets
Available from natural sources? Yes
Available from synthetic sources? Yes
Prescription required? Yes, for high doses used for cholesterol
reduction
Fat-soluble or water-soluble: Water-soluble

NATURAL SOURCES

Beef liver
Brewer's yeast
Chicken
Halibut
Peanuts
Pork
Salmon
Sunflower seeds
Swordfish
Tuna
Turkey
Veal

REASONS TO USE

  • Maintains normal function of skin, nerves, digestive system.
  • Corrects niacin deficiency.
  • Dilates blood vessels.
  • Treats dizziness and ringing in ears.
  • Prevents premenstrual headache.
  • Treats pellagra.

    UNPROVED SPECULATED BENEFITS

  • Prevents heart attacks.
  • Treats or prevents motion sickness.
  • Alleviates mental illness, notably schizophrenia.
  • Cures depression.
  • Prevents migraine or headaches.
  • Improves digestion.
  • Protects against pollutants and toxins.
  • Treats leprosy.
  • Stimulates sex drive.

    WHO NEEDS ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS?

  • Anyone with inadequate caloric or dietary intake or increased nutritional requirements.
  • Those who abuse alcohol or other drugs.
  • People with a chronic wasting illness, including malignancies, pancreatic insufficiency, cirrhosis of the liver, sprue.
  • Anyone who experiences excess stress for long periods, or who has recently undergone surgery.
  • Athletes and workers who participate in vigorous physical activities.
  • Those with a portion of the gastrointestinal tract surgically removed.
  • People with recent severe burns or injuries.
  • Those with diabetes.
  • Anyone with hyperthyroidism.

    DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS

  • Early symptoms:
  • Muscular weakness
  • General fatigue
  • Irritability
  • Dizziness
  • Loss of appetite
  • Headaches
  • Swollen, red tongue
  • Skin lesions, including rashes, dry scaly skin in areas exposed to sunlight, wrinkles, coarse skin texture
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Late symptoms of severe deficiency called pellagra:
  • Dementia
  • Death

    UNPROVED SPECULATED SYMPTOMS

  • Acne
  • Poor circulation
  • Mental problems

    LAB TESTS TO DETECT DEFICIENCY

  • Urinary N-1 methylnicotinamide
  • Urinary 2--pyrindone/N-1 methylnicotinamide; test results not always conclusive
  • Liver-function studies

    DOSAGE AND USAGE INFORMATION

    Age RDA
    0-6 months 6mg
    6-12 months 8mg
    1-3 years 9mg
    4-6 years 11mg
    7-10 years 16mg
    MALES
    11-18 years 18mg
    19-22 years 19mg
    23-50 years 18mg
    50+ years 16mg
    FEMALES
    11-14 years 15mg
    15-22 years 14mg
    23+ years 13mg
    Pregnant +2mg
    Lactating +4mg
    What this vitamin does:

  • Aids in release of energy from foods.
  • Helps synthesis of DNA.
  • Becomes a component of two co-enzymes (NAD and NADP), which are necessary for utilization of fats, tissue respiration, production of sugars.

    Miscellaneous information:

  • The body manufactures niacinamide from tryptophan, an amino acid.

    Available as:

  • Tablets or capsules: Swallow whole with full glass of liquid. Don't chew or crush. Take with meals or 1 to 1-1/2 hours after meals unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
  • Extended-release capsules or tablets: Swallow whole with full glass of liquid. Don't chew or crush. Take with or immediately after food to decrease stomach irritation.
  • Oral solution: Dilute in at least 1/2 glass water or other liquid. Take with meals or 1 to 1-1/2 hours after meals unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
  • Injectable forms are administered by doctor or nurse.
  • Some forms available by generic name.

    WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

    Don't take if you:

  • Are allergic to niacin or any niacin-containing vitamin mixtures.
  • Have impaired liver function.
  • Have an active peptic ulcer.

    Consult your doctor if you have:

  • Diabetes.
  • Gout.
  • Gallbladder or liver disease.

    Over age 55:

  • Response to drug cannot be predicted. Dose must be individualized.

    Pregnancy:

  • Risk with high doses to unborn child outweighs benefits. Don't use.

    Breast-feeding:

  • Studies inconclusive. Consult doctor about supplements.
  • Don't take megadoses.

    Effect on lab tests:

  • Urinary catecholamine concentration may show falsely elevate results.
  • Urine glucose (using Benedict's reagent) may produce false-positive reactions.
  • Falsely elevates blood sugar.
  • Falsely increases growth-hormone level in blood.
  • Falsely elevates blood-uric acid with large daily doses.

    Storage:

  • Store in cool, dry place away from direct light, but don't freeze.
  • Store safely out of reach of children.
  • Don't store in bathroom medicine cabinet. Heat and moisture may change action of vitamin.

    Others:

  • High doses over long periods may cause liver damage or aggravate a stomach ulcer.

    OVERDOSE/TOXICITY

    Signs and symptoms:
    Body flush, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea,
    weakness, lightheadedness, fainting, sweating, headache, high
    blood sugar, high uric acid, heart-rhythm disturbances.

    What to do:

  • For symptoms of overdosage: Discontinue vitamin, and consult doctor. Also see ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS section below.
  • For accidental overdosage (such as child taking entire bottle): Dial 911 (emergency), 0 for operator or your nearest Poison Control Center.

    ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS

    Reaction or effect What to do
    Abdominal pain Discontinue. Call doctor immediately.
    Diarrhea Discontinue. Call doctor immediately.
    Faintness Discontinue. Call doctor immediately.
    Headache Discontinue. Call doctor
    when convenient.
    "Hot" feeling, with skin flushed Nothing.
    in blush zone (always)
    Jaundice (yellow skin and eyes) Seek emergency treatment.
    Nausea Discontinue. Call doctor immediately.
    Skin dryness Discontinue. Call doctor immediately.
    Vomiting Discontinue. Call doctor
    immediately.

    INTERACTION WITH MEDICINE, VITAMINS OR MINERALS

    Interacts with Combined effect
    Anti-diabetics Decreases anti-diabetic effect.
    Beta-adrenergic blockers Lowers blood pressure to
    extremely low level.
    Chenodiol Decreases chenodiol effect.
    Guanethidine Increases guanethidine effect.
    Isoniazid Decreases niacin effect.
    Mecamylamine Lowers blood pressure to
    extremely low level.
    Pargyline Lowers blood pressure to
    extremely low level.

    INTERACTION WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES

  • Tobacco decreases absorption. Smokers may require supplemental niacin.
  • Alcohol may cause excessively low blood pressure. Use caution.

  • Dserun mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum and sunt in culpa qui officias deserunt mollit. Excepteur plus sint occaecat the best cupidatat nonr proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. September 24, 2004
    read more

    Email:

    Excepteur plus sint occaecat the best cupidatat nonr proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit.
    Support forums
    Help desk
    F.A.Q.
    go
    home       about us      affiliates     contact us       terms of service      

    © 2005 HealthSE.com All right reserved