Niacin, or vitamin B3, helps the body create energy from carbohydrate and metabolize fats and proteins. Niacin also features in hormone production and in cholesterol reduction. As a naturally occurring substance, niacin generally presents no risk in moderate doses. However, niacin may cause bleeding if you're taking some other medications. Large doses of niacin may also cause bleeding in people with gastrointestinal problems.
Niacin
Many foods naturally contain niacin, such as salmon, seeds, milk, chicken, red meat and yeast products. Some products, such as some breads and cereals, come fortified with niacin. The amounts found in food products are not associated with adverse effects such as bleeding. Most Americans get their recommended daily value of niacin from food -- in fact, many consume as much as double the amount. Niacin in supplement form usually comes in the form of nicotinamide. However, some doctors prescribe nicotinic acid for patients with high cholesterol.
Peptic Ulcer
Though niacin generally doesn't create negative symptoms except in very high doses, it can trigger problems in people with peptic ulcer disease. This is a sore in the stomach or esophageal lining. Taking niacin supplements may cause bleeding in such cases, according to "The Johns Hopkins University Textbook of Dyslipidemia." If you do have a gastrointestinal ulcer you won't need to avoid all niacin in your diet. Simply avoid taking supplemental doses.
Drug Interactions
Niacin can trigger bleeding when interacting with certain drugs. In particular, niacin interacts with blood thinning medication, also known as anticoagulants. Niacin boosts the efficacy of these drugs. This raises your risk of bleeding, and can increase the time it takes your blood to clot and heal if you cut or wound your skin. Speak with your doctor if you're taking anticoagulants before using niacin supplements.
Considerations
If you already have bleeding issues, such as stomach ulcers, gum bleeding or other regular bleeding complaints, then niacin may make these problems worse. People with liver disease should also avoid taking niacin supplements. In all cases, talk with your doctor before you take regular large doses of niacin. As you'll probably get all you need from your food, deficiency is unlikely, but your doctor will advise if this is the case.
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