Vitamin B-3 is comprised of nicotinic acid, or niacin, and niacinamide. Your body needs niacin and niacinamide to form healthy cells and assist in metabolizing fats and protein. Supplemental niacinamide may be used therapeutically to treat certain health problems; however, you can experience an adverse reaction to large doses of niacinamide. The supplement can also worsen certain medical conditions worse when taken in large amounts.
Use
Niacimamide and niacin are used to address some of the same health conditions -- but not all. For example, doctors sometimes recommend niacin to help lower high blood cholesterol; niacinamide does not have the same effect. The FDA has approved niacinamide and niacin to treat pellegra, or niacin deficiency. There's sufficient evidence that niacinamide is effective for this purpose. However, according to MayoClinic.com, more research is needed to determine if niacinamide and niacin are effective for all other medical conditions.
Side Effects
One advantage to using niacinamide to treat a niacin deficiency is that it does not cause flushing, which includes burning, itching and redness of the face, chest and arms. Unpleasant side effects associated with niacinamide can include an upset stomach, gas, dizziness, light-headedness and mouth pain. According to MayoClinic.com, only rarely does a severe allergic reaction occur in response to niacinamide.
Cautions
You're more likely to tolerate niacinamide than you are niacin. However, the Linus Pauling Institute indicates that more serious complications have occurred when niacinamide was administered at 3 g per day. These include liver toxicity, nausea and vomiting. Niacinamide may exacerbate certain health conditions, including diabetes, allergies, heart disease, gout, ulcers and kidney, liver and gallbladder disease. Niacinamide should not be taken two weeks before surgery.
Other Information
Niacinamide is the form of vitamin B-3 used to fortify foods; it's also used in dietary supplements used for nutritional purposes. According to the Linus Pauling Institute, most adverse reactions are associated with large doses of potent prescription niacin rather than niacinamide. However, don't use dietary supplements to prevent, treat or cure a disease unless your doctor recommends them. Please talk to a health care professional before you take a niacin supplement to address your health and nutrition concerns.
References
- MedlinePlus Supplements; Niacin and Niacinamide (Vitamin B3); April 2011
- Linus Pauling Institute; Niacin; J. Higdon, PhD; August 2002
- MayoClinic.com; Niacin (vitamin B3, Nicotinic Acid), Niacinamide; April 2011
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Vitamin B3 (Niacin); June 2009
- Drugs.com; Niacinamide; June 2011
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