SURVEYOR Health - Drug Interactions and Side Effects of Niacin

Drug Interactions and Side Effects of Niacin

Niacin has 46 Side Effects total
12 are Life Threatening
18 Occur Most Frequently

Click for a searchable interactive map of all Side Effects associated with Niacin

Uses of Niacin

USES:
Niacin is used in addition to a proper diet and exercise to help control levels of fats in the blood. It can help lower "bad" cholesterol and fats (e.g., LDL, triglycerides) and raise "good" cholesterol (HDL). In general, this drug is used after your blood fat levels have not been fully controlled by other treatment (e.g., diet changes, exercise, decreasing alcohol intake, stopping smoking, weight loss if overweight, and controlling blood sugar if diabetic). It may be used with or without other medications.

Lowering "bad" cholesterol/triglycerides and raising "good" cholesterol may help decrease the risk for strokes and heart attacks. Lowering fats may also help reduce the risk of pancreas problems (pancreatitis) in people at risk. Niacin is also known as vitamin B-3 (nicotinic acid), one of the B-complex vitamins.

Niacin has 12 Life Threatening (Critical) Side Effects

Critical Seriousness - A Spasm of the Larynx - Laryngismus is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Niacin

Critical Seriousness - Abnormal Liver Function Tests - Abnormal Hepatic Function Tests is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Niacin

Critical Seriousness - Blockage of Normal Bile Flow - Cholestasis is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Niacin

Critical Seriousness - Giant Hives - Angioedema is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Niacin

Critical Seriousness - Hepatitis caused by Drugs - Drug-Induced Hepatitis is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Niacin

Critical Seriousness - Hives - Urticaria is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Niacin

Critical Seriousness - Life Threatening Allergic Reaction - Anaphylaxis is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Niacin

Critical Seriousness - Muscle Disease - Myopathy is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Niacin

Critical Seriousness - Numbness and Tingling - Paresthesia is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Niacin

Critical Seriousness - Trouble Breathing - Dyspnea is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Niacin

Critical Seriousness - Visible Water Retention - Edema is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Niacin

Critical Seriousness - Yellowing of Skin or Eyes from Liver Problems - Jaundice is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Niacin

Click for a searchable interactive map of all Life Threatening Side Effects associated with Niacin.

Niacin has 18 Most Frequently Occurring Side Effects

Abnormal Heart Rhythm - Conduction Disorder of the Heart is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Niacin

Cough is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Niacin

Diarrhea is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Niacin

Dizzy - Dizziness is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Niacin

Dry Eye is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Niacin

Dry Skin is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Niacin

Feel Like Throwing Up - Nausea is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Niacin

Feeling Faint - Fainting is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Niacin

Head Pain - Headache Disorder is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Niacin

High Amount of Uric Acid in the Blood - Hyperuricemia is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Niacin

High Blood Sugar - Hyperglycemia is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Niacin

Indigestion - Dyspepsia is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Niacin

Inflammation of the Nose - Rhinitis is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Niacin

Itching - Pruritus of Skin is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Niacin

Muscle Pain - Myalgia is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Niacin

Temporary Redness of Face and Neck - Flushing is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Niacin

Throwing Up - Vomiting is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Niacin

Worsening of Peptic Ulcer - Exacerbation of Peptic Ulcer is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Niacin

Click for a searchable interactive map of all Side Effects associated with Niacin

Niacin Drug-Drug Interactions

Niacin has interactions of severe seriousness with 0 drug(s): Niacin has interactions of serious seriousness with 29 drug(s). Niacin has interactions of moderate seriousness with 0 drug(s). Niacin has interactions of unknown seriousness with 0 drug(s).

Niacin has 15 Condition Contraindications

If you have any of these Conditions then you should carefully evaluate the risks of taking Niacin.

Niacin Oral Contraindications
(grouped by decreasing seriouosness level)

Absolute Contraindications

Arterial Hemorrhage - Bleeding from an Artery is a contraindication of Niacin.

Disease of Liver - Liver Problems is a contraindication of Niacin.

Peptic Ulcer - Ulcer from Stomach Acid is a contraindication of Niacin.

Relative Contraindications

Abnormal Hepatic Function Tests - Abnormal Liver Function Tests is a contraindication of Niacin.

Alcoholism - Habit of Drinking Too Much Alcohol is a contraindication of Niacin.

Blood Coagulation Disorder - Blood Clotting Disorder is a contraindication of Niacin.

Myocardial Infarction - Heart Attack is a contraindication of Niacin.

Unstable Angina Pectoris - Unpredictable Severe Constricting Chest Pain is a contraindication of Niacin.

Contraindication Warnings

Coronary Artery Disease - Disease of the Arteries of the Heart is a contraindication of Niacin.

Diabetes Mellitus - Diabetes is a contraindication of Niacin.

Gout is a contraindication of Niacin.

Hyperglycemia - High Blood Sugar is a contraindication of Niacin.

Hypophosphatemia - Low Amount of Phosphate in the Blood is a contraindication of Niacin.

Hypotension - Abnormally Low Blood Pressure is a contraindication of Niacin.

Severe Thrombocytopenia - Severely Decreased Platelets is a contraindication of Niacin.

Niacin has 25 related brands and strengths:

Endur-Acin 250 Mg Tab

Endur-Acin 500 Mg Tab

Niacin 100 Mg Tab

Niacin 250 Mg Tab

Niacin 50 Mg Tab

Niacin 500 Mg Tab

Niacin Er 1,000 Mg 24 Hr Tab

Niacin Er 1,000 Mg Tab

Niacin Er 125 Mg Cap

Niacin Er 250 Mg Cap

Niacin Er 250 Mg Tab

Niacin Er 400 Mg Cap

Niacin Er 500 Mg 24 Hr Tab

Niacin Er 500 Mg Cap

Niacin Er 500 Mg Tab

Niacin Er 750 Mg 24 Hr Tab

Niacin Er 750 Mg Tab

Niacin Oral Powder

Niacor 500 Mg Tab

Niaspan Extended-Release 1,000 Mg 24 Hr Tab

Niaspan Extended-Release 500 Mg 24 Hr Tab

Niaspan Extended-Release 750 Mg 24 Hr Tab

Slo-Niacin 250 Mg Tab

Slo-Niacin 500 Mg Tab

Slo-Niacin 750 Mg Tab

Niacin - Symptoms of overdose may include
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.

Contact poison control
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.