Health Library

Niacinamide (By mouth)

Niacinamide (nye-a-sin-a-mide)

Lowers cholesterol and triglyceride levels in your blood. This medicine is a vitamin (B3).

Brand Name(s):

Pure Niacinamide

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Tablet, Capsule, Long Acting Tablet

• Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you. Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about any special diet or exercise program.
• It is best to take this medicine after your last meal of the day.
• Swallow the extended-release tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.

If a dose is missed:

• Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are using another medicine to lower cholesterol such as lovastatin, Lescol®, Lipitor®, Pravachol®, or Zocor®. Tell your doctor if you are using aspirin, vitamin supplements, or a nitrate medicine such as nitroglycerin or isosorbide.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using medicine to lower blood pressure. Some blood pressure medicines are atenolol, diltiazem, nifedipine, propranolol, verapamil, Cartia®, Coreg®, Lotrel®, Norvasc®, Plendil®, Tiazac®, and Toprol®.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you drink alcohol on a daily or regular basis.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast feeding, or if you have diabetes. Tell your doctor if you have angina (chest pain) or low blood pressure. Your doctor will need to know if you have a history of liver or gallbladder disease, ulcers, gout, or jaundice (skin or eyes turn yellow).
• Follow your doctor's instructions carefully if you are switching to this medicine from another form of niacinamide. The dose may be different if you switch from the regular tablet to the extended-release tablet.
• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
• Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.
• This medicine may cause a warmth or redness in your face, neck, arms, or upper chest. This is called "flushing," and it usually improves after you have been taking niacinamide on a regular basis for a few weeks. To help prevent flushing, do not drink alcohol or hot drinks when you take this medicine, and do not take it on an empty stomach. You should also ask your doctor about taking aspirin or an anti-inflammatory medicine (such as ibuprofen) before you use this medicine.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Dark-colored urine or pale stools.
• Fast, uneven, or pounding heartbeat.
• Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, pain in your upper stomach.
• Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Headache.
• Lightheadedness or fainting.
• Mild diarrhea, vomiting, or upset stomach.
• Muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness.
• Vision changes.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 9/6/2024