is it safe to take niacin everyday

Full Answer

How much niacin should you have a day?

• Children: between 2-16 milligrams daily, depending on age
• Men: 16 milligrams daily
• Women: 14 milligrams daily
• Women ( pregnant ): 18 milligrams daily
• Women ( breastfeeding ): 17 milligrams daily
• Maximum daily intake for adults of all ages: 35 milligrams daily

Is it dangerous to take 500 mg of niacin daily?

When taken orally in appropriate amounts, niacin appears to be safe. High doses of niacin available via prescription can cause: Serious side effects are most likely if you take between 2,000 to 6,000 mg of niacin a day. If you think you might have overdosed on niacin, seek medical attention immediately.

When should you take niacin?

Usual Adult Dose for:

• Hyperlipoproteinemia Type IV (Elevated VLDL)
• Hyperlipoproteinemia Type V (Elevated Chylomicrons + VLDL)
• Vitamin/Mineral Supplementation
• Vitamin/Mineral Supplementation during Pregnancy/Lactation

What are the side effects of niacin?

Side effects requiring immediate medical attention

• Darkening of urine
• light gray-colored stools
• loss of appetite
• severe stomach pain
• yellow eyes or skin

Is it safe to take 500mg of niacin a day?

Niacin in the form of nicotinamide has fewer side effects than nicotinic acid. However, at high doses of 500 mg/day or more, nicotinamide can cause diarrhea, easy bruising, and can increase bleeding from wounds. Even higher doses of 3,000 mg/day or more can cause nausea, vomiting, and liver damage.Mar 22, 2021

Can niacin be taken long term?

Niacin is used for long-term treatment. It comes with risks if you don't take it as prescribed. If you stop taking the drug or don't take it at all: If you don't take niacin, your cholesterol levels may not be controlled. High cholesterol levels put you at a higher risk for heart attack and stroke.

Does niacin hurt your liver?

Niacin does have risks. It can cause liver problems, stomach ulcers, changes to glucose levels, muscle damage, low blood pressure, heart rhythm changes, and other issues.Mar 26, 2020

What is the most common side effect of niacin?

A common side effect of niacin is a flushing reaction. This might cause burning, itching, and redness of the face, arms, and chest, as well as headaches. Starting with small doses and taking 325 mg of aspirin before each dose of niacin may help. This reaction usually goes away as the body gets used to niacin.

Is 1000 mg of niacin a day too much?

Adults and children older than 16 years of age—At first, 500 milligrams (mg) per day, taken at bedtime. After 4 weeks, your doctor will increase your dose to 1000 mg per day, taken at bedtime. However, the dose is usually not more than 2000 mg per day.Feb 1, 2022

How much niacin is too much in a day?

Serious side effects are most likely if you take between 2,000 to 6,000 mg of niacin a day. If you think you might have overdosed on niacin, seek medical attention immediately. If you have liver disease, peptic ulcer disease or severe low blood pressure (hypotension), don't take large amounts of niacin.

How does niacin make you feel?

These higher doses of niacin cause an intense flushing or "prickly heat" sensation to the face and upper body, usually 15-30 minutes after taking a relatively large dose (e.g. 500 mg). This flushing is experienced by almost everyone and, while it might feel like an allergy, it is not a true allergic reaction.

Can you get too much niacin?

While it's not possible to overdose on niacin simply by eating too many niacin-rich foods, taking too much over-the-counter or prescription niacin can be dangerous. Niacin overdose signs and symptoms include: Severe skin flushing combined with dizziness. Rapid heartbeat.Apr 22, 2020

What are the benefits of niacin?

5 health benefits of niacinImproves blood fat levels. Niacin may help to improve your blood fat levels by: ... May reduce blood pressure. ... May help treat type 1 diabetes. ... Boosts brain function. ... Improves skin health.

Who should not take niacin?

People with a history of liver disease, kidney disease, or stomach ulcers should not take niacin supplements. Those with diabetes or gallbladder disease should do so only under the close supervision of their doctors. Stop taking niacin or niacinamide at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Is niacin Safe for Kidneys?

The authors concluded that niacin supplementation mitigates the upregulation of oxidative stress and the inflammatory system in the kidney. However, in another study, niacin treatment (1 g/d for 4 weeks and advanced to 2 g/d for 20 weeks) in patients with CKD (i.e., Stages 2–3) did not show renoprotective effects [20].

Can you stop taking niacin cold turkey?

Do not stop taking niacin without first checking with your doctor. When you stop taking this medicine, your blood cholesterol levels may increase again.Feb 1, 2022

What is the DRI for niacin?

Everyone needs a certain amount of niacin -- from food or supplements -- for the body to function normally. This amount is called the dietary reference intake (DRI), a term that is replacing the older and more familiar RDA (recommended daily allowance).

Can you take niacin for pellagra?

Instead, get advice from your health care provider, who can prescribe FDA-approved doses of niacin instead if recommended. In addition, niacin is an FDA-approved treatment for pellagra, a rare condition that develops from niacin deficiency.

Is niacin safe for high cholesterol?

Get advice from your healthcare provider. At the low DRI doses, niacin is safe for everyone. However, at the higher amounts used to treat medical conditions, it can have risks.

Is niacin a cholesterol medicine?

However, niacin is only effective as a cholesterol treatment at fairly high doses. These doses could pose risks, such as liver damage, ...

Does niacin lower cholesterol?

Niacin also modestly lowers bad LDL cholesterol. It's sometimes prescribed in combination with statins for cholesterol control, such as rosuvastatin ( Crestor, Ezallor ), simvastatin, fluvastatin ( Lescol ), atorvastatin ( Lipitor) and pravastatin ( Pravachol ). However, niacin is only effective as a cholesterol treatment at fairly high doses.

Is niacin safe for pregnant women?

However, at the higher amounts used to treat medical conditions, it can have risks. For that reason, children and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take nia cin supplements in excess of the DRI unless it's recommended by a doctor.

Can you take niacin over the counter?

These doses could pose risks, such as liver damage, gastrointestinal problems, or glucose intolerance. So don't treat yourself with over-the-counter niacin supplements. Instead, get advice from your health care provider, who can prescribe FDA-approved doses of niacin instead if recommended. In addition, niacin is an FDA-approved treatment ...

What are the side effects of taking niacin?

This side effect, while not serious, is characterized by redness, itching and tingling in the neck, face, arms and upper chest. According to the National Institutes of Health, niacin flushing can start at doses of 30 to 50 milligrams. Advertisement.

What is the role of niacin in the body?

Niacin, which is also referred to as vitamin B-3, is one of eight B vitamins that plays a role in converting the calories you eat into usable energy . Niacin is also responsible for the production of stress and sex hormones and can help to improve circulation. According to the National Institutes of Health, you can consume all ...

Can niacin cause imbalance?

One less-obvious side effect of high-dose niacin is a potential imbalance in other B-vitamin levels in the body. Taking high doses of any one of the B vitamins can cause imbalances in other B vitamins. Therefore, it is best to consume a B-complex vitamin, containing all of the B vitamins, if you decide to use supplements.

Is 250 mg a high dose?

According to MedlinePlus, doses this high are typically sold as prescription products. Because very high doses are required for treating high cholesterol, dietary supplements — which typically come in strengths of 250 milligrams or less — are not appropriate for this use. Advertisement.

Is niacin bad for you?

High doses of niacin are used as a treatment for lowering cholesterol. But consuming too much niacin in supplement form can cause side effects and be harmful to your health.

Can you eat niacin?

According to the National Institutes of Health, you can consume all the niacin you need though diet, which makes niacin deficiency very uncommon in developed countries. While high doses of niacin present a number of serious risks, they may also be useful, under medical supervision, for treating high cholesterol.

Can you take niacin with diabetes?

It's particularly important for individuals who already have liver disease, kidney disease or stomach ulcers to avoid niacin pills. In addition, those with diabetes or gallbladder disease should only use niacin under the supervision of a medical professional. Read more: Niacin & Anxiety. Advertisement.

How many niacin prescriptions were written in 2009?

Of all niacin prescriptions written in 2009, 80 percent were for Niaspan, a slow-releasing niacin tablet made by Abbott Laboratories, according to a study published last year.

Can you take statins for heart attack?

Niacin should only be considered for patients at very high risk for a heart attack and stroke who can't take statins, ...

Does niacin help with heart problems?

However, clinical trials have not shown that taking niacin in any form actually prevents heart problems. Considering the alarming side effects of niacin, researchers now say the vitamin shouldn't even be prescribed anymore. "There might be one excess death for every 200 people we put on niacin," said Dr.

Does niacin help with cholesterol?

Niacin has long been used to increase people's levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or the "good" cholesterol, and has been a major focus of research into heart disease prevention for several decades. However, clinical trials have not shown that taking niacin in any form actually prevents heart problems.

Is niacin bad for you?

Niacin, or vitamin B3, is too dangerous and should not be used routinely by people looking to control their cholesterol levels or prevent heart disease, doctors say. The warning comes following recent evidence showing the vitamin does not reduce heart attacks or strokes, and instead is linked to an increased risk of bleeding, diabetes and death.

Does niacin cause liver problems?

The study also found some unexpected and serious side effects. People who took niacin were more likely than people taking a placebo to experience liver problems, infections and bleeding in various body areas including the stomach, intestines and brain.

How to take niacin?

Precautions of Taking Niacin Supplements 1 Taking an aspirin 30 minutes before the niacin dose might help the side effects of “flush” – red skin and a burning, tingling sensation of the face and chest. 2 Alert your doctor if you have a history of diabetes or gallbladder problems. People with stomach ulcers, liver disease or kidney disease should not take niacin supplements. 3 Never take niacin within two weeks of a schedule surgery. 4 Remember that niacin increases histamine, which can make allergies worse. 5 Taking any B vitamin, such as niacin, for a long period of time can lead to an imbalance among the B vitamins in your body. Therefore, it might be best to take a B-complex vitamin to ensure no imbalances occur. 6 Due to the risk of heart rhythm changes, those who have unstable angina or coronary artery disease should never take niacin supplements without the doctor’s permission. 7 Niacin can lead to drops in blood pressure. Anyone who has a history of low blood pressure should be carefully monitored while on niacin. 8 Those who have a history of gout should never take niacin.

What happens if you take too much niacin?

You might also experience constipation, loss of appetite and weight loss. Muscles and joints. Muscle cell damage, weakened muscles, muscle pain and joint pain are common problems for those who take too much niacin. Nervous system.

What to do if you overdose on niacin?

If you have overdosed on supplements, seek medical help immediately. At the emergency department, certain medications might help, or gastric lavage might be used to rid the stomach of any supplements left there.

Does niacin cause allergies?

Remember that niacin increases histamine, which can make allergies worse. Taking any B vitamin, such as niacin, for a long period of time can lead to an imbalance among the B vitamins in your body. Therefore, it might be best to take a B-complex vitamin to ensure no imbalances occur.

Can you take niacin with angina?

Due to the risk of heart rhythm changes, those who have unstable angina or coronary artery disease should never take niacin supplements without the doctor’s permission. Niacin can lead to drops in blood pressure. Anyone who has a history of low blood pressure should be carefully monitored while on niacin.

Can you take niacin with multivitamins?

It can also be taken in multivitamin supplements. However, just as too little niacin is a problem, so is having too much of it in your diet.

Can you take niacin with a gallbladder?

Alert your doctor if you have a history of diabetes or gallbladder problems. People with stomach ulcers, liver disease or kidney disease should not take niacin supplements. Never take niacin within two weeks of a schedule surgery. Remember that niacin increases histamine, which can make allergies worse.

Benefits

Medical uses

Risks

Administration

• When taken orally in appropriate amounts, niacin appears to be safe. High doses of niacin available via prescription can cause: 1. Severe skin flushing combined with dizziness 2. Rapid heartbeat 3. Itching 4. Nausea and vomiting 5. Abdominal pain 6. Diarrhea 7. Gout 8. Liver damage 9. Diabetes Serious side effects are most likely if you take betwee...

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