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Niacin description. Vitamins (VYE-ta-mins) are compounds that you must have for growth and health. They are needed in small amounts only and are usually available in the foods that you eat. Niacin and niacinamide are necessary for many normal functions of the body, including normal tissue metabolism. They may have other effects as well. Lack of niacin may lead to a condition called pellagra. Pellagra causes diarrhea, stomach problems, skin problems, sores in the mouth, anemia (weak blood), and mental problems. Your health care professional may treat this by prescribing niacin for you. Some conditions may increase your need for niacin. These include: Cancer Diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes) Diarrhea (prolonged) Fever (prolonged) Hartnup disease Infection (prolonged) Intestinal problems Liver disease Mouth or throat sores Overactive thyroid Pancreas disease Stomach ulcer Stress (prolonged) Surgical removal of stomach Increased need for niacin should be determined by your health care professional. Claims that niacin is effective for treatment of acne, alcoholism, unwanted effects of drug abuse, leprosy, motion sickness, muscle problems, poor circulation, and mental problems, and for prevention of heart attacks, have not been proven. Many of these treatments involve large and expensive amounts of vitamins. Injectable niacin and niacinamide are given by or under the supervision of a health care professional. Other forms of niacin and niacinamide are available without a prescription. Why prescribed Niacin. Niacin is used with diet changes (restriction of cholesterol and fat intake) to reduce the amount of cholesterol and certain fatty substances in your blood. Niacin is also used to prevent and treat pellagra (niacin deficiency), a disease caused by inadequate diet and other medical problems. Niacin is a B-complex vitamin. How used Niacin. Niacin comes as a tablet and an extended-release (long-acting) tablet to take by mouth. The regular tablet usually is taken two to three times a a day with meals, and the extended-release tablet is taken once a day, at bedtime, with food. Follow the directions on your prescription label or package label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take niacin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Swallow the extended-release tablets whole; do not split, chew, or crush them. Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of niacin and gradually increase your dose. Continue to take niacin even if you feel well. Do not stop taking niacin without talking to your doctor. Brand names: - Niacin - Niacor - Nicolar - Nicotinex Elixir - Novo-Niacin - Slo-Niacin |