Niacin is a form of vitamin B3 that is naturally available in certain foods such as meat, fish, milk, beans, yeast and green vegetables. Niacin is often used for the treatment of high cholesterol, migraine, and circulation problems. It can help heart disease since it has a good effect on clotting and may improve triglyceride levels in blood, which are considered to be good for the heart. Although niacin therapy is relatively safe, there are certain side effects you may experience.
Flushing Reaction
Medline Plus states that a flushing reaction is the most common side effect of niacin therapy. The individual in this case experiences burning, tingling, itching, redness in the face and chest, and headaches. However, these are somewhat minor side effects that tend to go away as the body gets used to the niacin medication. Medline Plus says that this flushing reaction can be reduced if the therapy starts with small doses and you take aspirin before each dose. It also says that those taking this medication should avoid taking large amounts of alcohol since it can worsen the flushing reaction.
Upset Stomach
According to MayoClinic.com, niacin therapy may give you an upset stomach. This may be accompanied with nausea and vomiting. Diarrhea may also occur and you may also experience intestinal gas. However, as the therapy is continued, these symptoms may disappear.
Liver Toxicity
A serious side-effect of niacin therapy as reported by MayoClinic.com is liver toxicity. Those using niacin should go in for regular liver blood tests because niacin can cause an increase in the levels of liver enzymes in the blood. Skin yellowing or jaundice and ascites or fluid accumulation in the abdomen may also occur. Liver failure may also occur as a result of using niacin. MayoClinic.com states that slow-release niacin medications are more likely to worsen stomach and liver side effects as compared to the regular release niacin medications.
Other Side Effects
High doses of niacin can cause low blood pressure, reports MayoClinic.com. Dizziness, pain in the mouth, ulcers in the digestive tract, loss of vision, high blood sugar, irregular heartbeat and gout are some other side effects of niacin therapy, states Medline Plus. Dry eyes, tooth or gum pain, breathing difficulty, rashes and decreased thyroid function may also occur as side effects of niacin medication.
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