Niacin, also known as vitamin B-3, is prescribed by doctors to treat high cholesterol. Some people also take over-the-counter niacin supplements. If you have colitis, an inflammation of your colon, niacin could make your condition worse. High doses of niacin may also cause gastrointestinal problems, including stomach ulcers and ulcerated colitis.
Colitis Causes and Risk Factors
In addition to niacin, some infections, including food poisoning, can cause colitis. Inflammatory bowel disorders, including Crohn’s disease and irritable bowel syndrome, also put you at risk for developing colitis. If you suffer loss of blood flow to your colon due to such factors as diabetes, aortic surgery, high or low blood pressure, and vascular disease, you may develop ischemic colitis. Symptoms of colitis include abdominal bloating, chills, bloody stools, diarrhea, fever and intestinal gas. Colitis can be diagnosed with a variety of tests, including a barium enema and abdominal CT or MRI scans.
Types of Niacin
Side effects of niacin include gastrointestinal ulcers, such as stomach ulcers and ulcerated colitis. Both prescription-strength niacin, typically given in doses of 500 mg to 3,000 mg – 3 g – and niacinamide, a type of niacin available without a prescription, can cause ulcers. If you take niacin prescribed by your doctor, let him know if you develop symptoms of colitis. Some people take high doses of niacinamide to lower their cholesterol or to remove toxins, including illegal drugs, from their system. But research indicates niacinamide will not work for either purpose, according to MedlinePlus and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Treatment
Treatment for ulcerative colitis includes changing your diet and reducing stress. Eat smaller, more frequent meals and drink plenty of water. Some high-fiber foods, including popcorn, nuts and bran, may worsen symptoms of colitis. It may help to eat fruits and vegetables in juice and soup rather than raw. Stress, including travel and work changes, can trigger colitis attacks. Find ways to reduce stress, including meditation, yoga and laughter. Medication, including steroids, may help reduce symptoms and the number of attacks.
Considerations
If you take niacin, you may incur serious side effects in addition to colitis. These include gout, irregular heartbeat, vision loss and liver damage. Niacin can also increase your blood glucose levels and worsen kidney disease. Serious side effects, including ulcerated colitis, usually occur when you take niacin in high doses and for extended periods. In rare cases, short-term use of niacin in high doses has led to liver failure. A healthy diet includes 14 mg to 16 mg of niacin daily. Don’t take more without your doctor’s supervision and approval.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
- MedlinePlus: Niacin and Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)
- PubMed Health: Ulcerative Colitis
- PubMed Health: Colitis
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Use of Niacin in Attempts to Defeat Urine Drug Testing -- Five States, January to September 2006; C Mendoza, M.D.; April 2007
- “Annals of Emergency Medicine”; Toxicity From the Use of Niacin to Beat Urine Drug Screening; Majoj Mittal, et al.; April 2007
