Nicotinamide

Related Terms

3-Carbamoylpyridine, 3-pyridinecarboxamide, 3-pyridinecarboxylic acid amide, amid kyseliny nikotinove (Czech), amide PP, aminonicotin, amixicotyn, amnicotin, austrovit PP, Benicot, beta-pyridinecarboxamide, delonin amide, dipegyl, endobion, factor PP, hansamid, inovitan PP, m-(aminocarbonyl)pyridine, mediatric, NAD, NADH, NADP, NADPH, NAM, niacinamide, niamide, niavit PP, nicamide, nicamina, nicamindon, nicasir, Nicobion?, nicofort, nicogen, nicomidol, nicosan 2, nicosylamide, nicota, nicotamide, nicotilamide, nicotililamido, nicotinamida (Spanish), nicotinamidum (Latin), nicotine acid amide, nicotine amide, nicotinic acid amide, nicotinic amide, Nicotins?ureamid (German), nicotol, nicotylamide, nicotylamidum, nicovel, nicovit, nicovitina, nicovitol, nicozymin, niko-tamin, nikotinamid, Nikotins?ureamid (German), Nikotin(s?ure)amid (German), niocinamide, nizymin, papulex, pelmin, pelmine, pelonin amide, PP-faktor, pyridine-3-carboxylic acid amide, savacotyl, vi-nicotyl, vitamin B, vitamin B3, vitamin PP, witamina PP (Polish).

Background

Nicotinamide (also known as niacinamide) is chemically similar to niacin and, like niacin, is a form of vitamin B3. Nicotinamide and niacin are found in many foods, including vegetables, fruits, grains, meats, milk, and eggs.
Nicotinamide is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the prevention and treatment of pellagra, a vitamin B3 deficiency disease characterized by diarrhea, dermatitis, neurodegeneration, and dementia.
Nicotinamide has been investigated for the prevention of type 1 diabetes. It is included in skin care products for the treatment of acne and UV-induced immune suppression, and in products intended to enhance appearance.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


Nicotinamide is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in the prevention and treatment of pellagra, a vitamin B3 deficiency disease.

 A


Nicotinamide is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in the prevention and treatment of pellagra, a vitamin B3 deficiency disease.

 A


In preliminary research, nicotinamide decreased hyperpigmentation (darkening of patches of skin). Well-designed clinical trials are needed before a conclusion can be made.

 B


In preliminary research, nicotinamide decreased hyperpigmentation (darkening of patches of skin). Well-designed clinical trials are needed before a conclusion can be made.

 B


Preliminary data suggest that nicotinamide may prevent the onset of type 1 diabetes and prevent damage to the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. Additional clinical research is needed before firmer conclusions can be made.

 B


Preliminary data suggest that nicotinamide may prevent the onset of type 1 diabetes and prevent damage to the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. Additional clinical research is needed before firmer conclusions can be made.

 B


Preliminary research suggests that nicotinamide, applied to the affected area, may help treat acne, with an effect similar to that of the antibiotic clindamycin. Additional research is needed before a conclusion can be made.

 C


Preliminary research suggests that nicotinamide, applied to the affected area, may help treat acne, with an effect similar to that of the antibiotic clindamycin. Additional research is needed before a conclusion can be made.

 C


Limited research suggests that mild pemphigus foliaceus, an autoimmune skin disorder, may respond to treatment with a combination niacinamide and the antibiotic tetracycline. Further research on the effect of niacinamide alone is needed before a conclusion can be made.

 C


Limited research suggests that mild pemphigus foliaceus, an autoimmune skin disorder, may respond to treatment with a combination niacinamide and the antibiotic tetracycline. Further research on the effect of niacinamide alone is needed before a conclusion can be made.

 C


Results of human studies on the effectiveness of niacin in aiding cancer treatment are mixed. Additional research is needed before a conclusion can be made.

 C


Results of human studies on the effectiveness of niacin in aiding cancer treatment are mixed. Additional research is needed before a conclusion can be made.

 C


Preliminary research suggests that nicotinamide may have beneficial effects on atopic dry skin. Additional research is needed before a conclusion can be made.

 C


Preliminary research suggests that nicotinamide may have beneficial effects on atopic dry skin. Additional research is needed before a conclusion can be made.

 C


Preliminary research suggests that nicotinamide may reduce blood phosphorus levels in hemodialysis patients with hyperphosphatemia (high blood phosphorus level). Additional research is needed before a conclusion can be made.

 C


Preliminary research suggests that nicotinamide may reduce blood phosphorus levels in hemodialysis patients with hyperphosphatemia (high blood phosphorus level). Additional research is needed before a conclusion can be made.

 C


Preliminary research suggests that nicotinamide, in combination with antioxidants, improves macular function in people with macular disease (eye disease). Further research on the effect of nicotinamide alone is needed before a conclusion can be made.

 C


Preliminary research suggests that nicotinamide, in combination with antioxidants, improves macular function in people with macular disease (eye disease). Further research on the effect of nicotinamide alone is needed before a conclusion can be made.

 C


Early research suggests that niacinamide may be useful to treat osteoarthritis. Further research is needed before a conclusion can be made.

 C


Early research suggests that niacinamide may be useful to treat osteoarthritis. Further research is needed before a conclusion can be made.

 C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
In the United States, the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of nicotinamide for individuals over 14 years of age is 16 milligrams daily for males and 14 milligrams daily for females. The RDA for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding is 17-18 milligrams daily. Infants require five milligrams daily. Nicotinamide is present in many vitamin preparations.
For acne, 4% nicotinamide gel has been applied to the affected area twice daily for eight weeks.
For dry skin, 2% nicotinamide cream has been applied to the affected area twice daily for eight weeks.
For hyperphosphatemia (high blood phosphorus, during hemodialysis), doses in the range of 500 milligrams to six grams have been taken by mouth daily for 12 weeks.
For hyperpigmentation (darkening of patches of skin), 5% niacinamide has been applied to the affected area twice daily for up to 12 weeks.
For osteoarthritis, 500 milligrams has been taken by mouth six times daily for 12 weeks.
For pellagra, 300-500 milligrams has been taken by mouth daily in divided doses.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Nicotinamide may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may also lower blood sugar. People taking insulin or drugs for diabetes by mouth should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist. Medication adjustments may be necessary.
Nicotinamide may increase the risk of bleeding, particularly in hemodialysis patients, when taken with drugs that increase the risk of bleeding. Some examples include aspirin, anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin (Coumadin?) or heparin, antiplatelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix?), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin?, Advil?) or naproxen (Naprosyn?, Aleve?).
Nicotinamide may increase the amount of drowsiness caused by some drugs, such as CNS depressants, benzodiazepines such as lorazepam (Ativan?) or diazepam (Valium?), barbiturates such as phenobarbital, narcotics such as codeine, some antidepressants, and alcohol. Caution is advised while driving or operating machinery.
Nicotinamide may lower blood pressure. Caution is advised in people taking drugs that lower blood pressure.
Nicotinamide may interfere with the way the body processes certain drugs using the liver's cytochrome P450 enzyme system. As a result, the levels of these drugs may change in the blood and may cause increased or decreased effects or potentially serious adverse reactions. People taking any medication should check the package insert and speak with a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist, about possible interactions.
Nicotinamide may also interact with agents that may damage the liver, agents that affect the immune system, antianxiety drugs, anti-inflammatory agents, domperidone, or gastrointestinal agents.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

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