NIACINAMIDE:

Other Names:
3-Pyridine Carboxamide, 3-Pyridinecarboxamide, Amide de l'Acide Nicotinique, B Complex Vitamin, Complexe de Vitamines B, Niacinamida, Nicamid, Nicosedine, Nicotinamide, Nicotinic Acid Amide, Nicotylamidum, Pyridine-3-carboxamide, Vitamin B3, Vitamina B3, Vitamine B3.

What is Niacinamide?

There are two forms of vitamin B3. One form is niacin, the other is niacinamide. Niacinamide is found in many foods including yeast, meat, fish, milk, eggs, green vegetables, beans, and cereal grains. Niacinamide is also found in many vitamin B complex supplements with other B vitamins. Niacinamide can also be formed in the body from dietary niacin.

Do not confuse niacinamide with niacin, inositol nicotinate, or tryptophan. See the separate listings for these topics.

Niacinamide is taken by mouth for preventing vitamin B3 deficiency and related conditions such as pellagra. It is also taken by mouth for schizophrenia, hallucinations due to drugs, Alzheimer's disease and age-related loss of thinking skills, chronic brain syndrome, muscle spasms, depression, motion sickness, alcohol dependence, blood vessel swelling caused by skin lesions, and fluid collection (edema). Niacinamide is also taken by mouth for treating diabetes and two skin conditions called bullous pemphigoid and granuloma annulare.

Some people take niacinamide by mouth for acne, a skin condition called rosacea, leprosy, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), memory loss, arthritis, preventing premenstrual headache, improving digestion, protecting against toxins and pollutants, reducing the effects of aging, lowering blood pressure, improving circulation, promoting relaxation, improving orgasm, and preventing cataracts.

Niacinamide is applied to the skin for treating eczema, as well as a skin condition called inflammatory acne vulgaris.

How does it work?
Niacinamide can be made from niacin in the body. Niacin is converted to niacinamide when it is taken in amounts greater than what is needed by the body. Niacinamide is easily dissolved in water and is well-absorbed when taken by mouth.

Niacinamide is required for the proper function of fats and sugars in the body and to maintain healthy cells.

Unlike niacin, niacinamide has no beneficial effects on fats and should not be used for treating high cholesterol or high fat levels in the blood.

SIDE EFFECTS:

Niacinamide is LIKELY SAFE for most adults when taken by mouth. Unlike niacin, niacinamide does not cause flushing. However, niacinamide might cause minor adverse effects such as stomach upset, intestinal gas, dizziness, rash, itching, and other problems. When applied on the skin, niacinamide cream might cause mild burning, itching, or redness.

When doses of over 3 grams per day of niacinamide are taken, more serious side effects can happen. These include liver problems or high blood sugar.

Niacinamide is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth and appropriately in children or when applied to the skin of adults.

DOSING:

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

ADULTS:

BY MOUTH:

For acne: Tablets containing 750 mg of niacinamide, 25 mg of zinc, 1.5 mg of copper, and 500 mcg of folic acid (Nicomide) once or twice daily have been used. Also, 1-4 tablets containing niacinamide, azelaic acid, zinc, vitamin B6, copper, and folic acid (NicAzel, Elorac Inc. , Vernon Hills, IL) have been taken daily.
For vitamin B3 deficiency symptoms such as pellagra: 300-500 mg per day of niacinamide is given in divided doses.
For diabetes: Niacinamide 1.2 grams/m2 (body surface area) or 25-50 mg/kg is used daily for slowing progression of type 1 diabetes. Also, 0.5 grams of niacinamide three times daily is used to slow the progression of type 2 diabetes.
For high levels of phosphate in the blood (hyperphosphatemia): Niacinamide from 500 mg up to 1.75 grams daily in divided doses is used for 8-12 weeks.
For cancer of the larynx: 60 mg/kg of niacinamide is given 1-1.5 hours before inhaling carbogen (2% carbon dioxide and 98% oxygen) before and during radiotherapy.
For skin cancers other than melanoma: 500 mg of niacinamide once or twice daily for 4-12 months.
For treating osteoarthritis: 3 grams of niacinamide per day in divided doses for 12 weeks.

ON THE SKIN:

Acne: A gel containing 4% niacinamide twice daily.

USES and EFFECTIVENESS:

Likely Effective for. . .

Treatment and prevention of niacin deficiency, and certain conditions related to niacin deficiency such as pellagra. . Niacinamide is approved by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for these uses. Niacinamide is sometimes preferred over niacin because it does not cause "flushing, " (redness, itching and tingling), a side effect of niacin treatment.

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