Type of medicine: vitamin B3; nutritional supplement
Generic and brand names: niacin, oral; nicotinic acid, oral; Niacin SR; Niacin ER; Niacin TR; Niacin TD; Niacor; Niaspan; Nico-400; Slo-Niacin; (There may be other brand names for this medicine.)
niacinamide, oral; nicotinamide, oral
Both niacin and niacinamide are forms of vitamin B3. Both of these medicines may be taken by mouth or given by injection to treat niacin deficiency (such as pellagra).
Niacin is also called nicotinic acid. Niacin may be prescribed to help increase HDL cholesterol, or to lower LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglycerides. Do not use this medicine to treat high cholesterol without a prescription. It may be used with another cholesterol lowering medicine. Nicotinic acid may also improve circulation problems.
Niacinamide may be used as an anti-inflammatory to help treat arthritis. Niacinamide does not help lower cholesterol or treat blood circulation problems.
These medicines may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
Before taking niacin, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
Injections of this medicine are given by a healthcare provider.
This medicine comes in different forms that are taken by mouth. Do not take timed-release niacin without your healthcare provider's supervision. It may cause liver damage. Do not change the type of niacin you are taking without checking first with your healthcare provider. You may need a different dose if you change products.
If you have sustained-release tablets or capsules, do not break, crush, or chew them. Swallow them whole.
Take this medicine with meals to lessen stomach upset. Do not drink alcohol or hot beverages with your dose.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval. If your healthcare provider has not given you specific instructions, follow the directions that come in the medicine package. Do not take more or take it longer than prescribed. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about anything you do not understand.
Follow any special diet your healthcare provider recommends to control your cholesterol level.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, contact your healthcare provider.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: nausea, dizziness, itching, vomiting, flushing.
You may need to have blood tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
This medicine may make you dizzy or cause blurred vision. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.
You may feel dizzy or faint when you get up quickly after sitting or lying down. Getting up slowly may help. Also, do not drink alcohol unless your healthcare provider approves.
This medicine may cause flushing, tingling, or a sensation of warmth when you first start taking it. These effects usually stop with continued use. Taking aspirin or ibuprofen 30 minutes before taking niacin may prevent this effect. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
Diabetics: This medicine may affect your blood sugar level and change the amount of insulin or other diabetes medicines you may need. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (Report these to your healthcare provider right away): Loss of appetite, decreased urination, dark colored urine, unexplained muscle pain or weakness, irregular heartbeat, chest pain, blurred vision, yellowing of the skin or eyes.
Other: Flushing, tingling, feeling of warmth, headache, dizziness, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
