What is niacin used to treat?
What is niacin used to treat?
Research on the use of oral niacin to treat specific conditions shows: High cholesterol. Prescription niacin is used to increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol — the “good” cholesterol that helps remove low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the “bad” cholesterol, from your bloodstream.
When should I take niacin?
General. Niacin should be taken with food. The extended-release form of niacin should be taken at bedtime.
How long does it take to correct niacin deficiency?
Treatment for secondary pellagra is similar, but doctors will also treat the underlying cause. Symptoms should begin to improve quickly. Doctors may prescribe high doses of niacin for 5 days, and the person will typically see improvements in their symptoms within 2 days.
What is niacin effect?
Niacin (nicotinic acid) is a B vitamin that’s used by your body to turn food into energy. Niacin also helps keep your nervous system, digestive system and skin healthy. That’s why niacin is often a part of a daily multivitamin, though most people get enough niacin from the food they eat.
What causes lack of niacin?
Niacin (vitamin B3) deficiency results in a condition known as pellagra. Pellagra includes the triad of dermatitis, dementia, and diarrhea and can result in death. Niacin deficiency can occur through genetic disorders, malabsorptive conditions, and interaction with certain medications.
How do I know if I have niacin deficiency?
Vitamin B3 deficiency symptoms include fatigue, indigestion, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, mouth sores, a swollen bright red tongue, poor circulation, and depressed mood. Cracked scaly skin that is highly sensitive to the sun is another symptom of vitamin B3 deficiency.
What happens during a niacin flush?
A ‘Niacin flush’ is a side effect of taking high doses of supplemental niacin (Vitamin B3). The flush happens when niacin causes the small capillaries in your skin to dilate, which increases the flow of blood to the surface of the skin.
