Naicin, also known as vitamin B3, is common in foods including meat, eggs and green vegetables. Deficiency in niacin can result in an illness known as Pellagra. Treatment involves providing the patient with supplements of niacin, often in a sustained-release formula commonly called slow niacin. Niacin is also given to treat high cholesterol, atherosclerosis and to help prevent the re-occurrence of heart attacks. Treatment with slow niacin can have some significant side effects.
Flushing
The most common side effect from slow niacin is a sensation of warmth and flushing of the skin, particularly around the face, ears and neck. This reaction is usually mild and is more likely to occur when first starting a treatment regimen or when dosages are increased.
Other Mild Side Effects
Other mild side effects can include dry skin and itching, upset stomach, nausea and vomiting, and diarrhea. These symptoms usually go away after continued use.
Effects on the Liver
Slow niacin can cause liver toxicity, with associated jaundice or yellowing of the skin and eyes, fluid buildup in the abdomen, known as ascites, increases in liver enzymes in the blood and liver failure.
Other Serious Side Effects
Stomach ulcers can worsen, and changes to levels of blood sugar or insulin or altered concentration of uric acid can also occur.
High niacin doses can also produce low blood pressure. Lactic acidosis, damage to muscle cells and increased blood levels of creatine kinase can result from taking slow niacin.
Niacin treatment can also produce abnormal cardiac rhythms and palpitations. Problems with proper blood clotting and low white cell counts can be caused by slow niacin.
Rare Side Effects
Rarely, side effects can include headaches, dizziness, difficulty breathing, anxiety or panic attacks, and a decrease in thyroid activity and anaphylactic shock. Visual side effects can include macular swelling in the eye, blurred vision and dry eye.
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