Can i get niacin over the counter

Niacin also helps keep your nervous system, digestive system and skin healthy. That's why niacin is often a part of a daily multivitamin, though most people get enough niacin from the food they eat. When it's used as a treatment to increase your HDL cholesterol or correct a vitamin deficiency, niacin is sold in higher doses that are prescribed by your doctor.

Prescription-strength niacin includes such drugs as Niacor and Niaspan. Niacin is also available as an over-the-counter supplement. Supplements sold over-the-counter are not regulated like prescription medications.

The ingredients, formulations and effects of over-the-counter niacin can vary widely. Don't take niacin without discussing it with your doctor first because niacin can cause serious side effects when taken in high doses. Niacin can raise HDL cholesterol by more than 30 percent.

There's currently some debate about the exact role HDL plays in the body and in the development of heart disease. But HDL has generally been thought to pick up excess "bad" cholesterol in your blood and take it to your liver for disposal, which is why HDL is dubbed the "good" cholesterol. Despite niacin's ability to raise HDL, recent research suggests that niacin therapy isn't linked to lower rates of death, heart attack or stroke.

High-dose niacin can cause stomach upset and make your skin flush or itch. More importantly, niacin can increase your risk of:. In the past, it was thought that HDL levels would increase even more if niacin was added to cholesterol medications called statins, such as atorvastatin Lipitor and simvastatin Zocor. But recent studies indicate that niacin provides little additional benefit when compared with statins alone, and may increase the risks of serious side effects.

Most doctors no longer recommend niacin for first line cholesterol control — except for people who can't tolerate statins. In those people, the benefits of niacin may outweigh the risk of potentially serious side effects. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Sign up for free, and stay up-to-date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID, plus expert advice on managing your health.

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Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization and proceeds from Web advertising help support our mission. Mayo Clinic does not endorse any of the third party products and services advertised. Before taking over-the-counter niacin, talk to your healthcare provider to make sure it makes sense for you to do so. Together you can determine the optimal formulation and dose. Whether you're buying niacin over the counter or will be taking it by prescription, don't think of it as "only a supplement.

Report any significant side effects to your healthcare provider right away. Looking to start a diet to better manage your cholesterol?

Changing lifelong eating habits can be scary at first, but our guide will make it easier. Pikto pietkiewicz I. Niacin in patients with low LDL cholesterol levels receiving intensive statin therapy. New Engl J Med , Kardiol Pol. Office of Dietary Supplements.

Niacin: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. Updated July 9, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Washington, D. Department of Health and Human Services. The mechanism and mitigation of niacin-induced flushing. Int J Clin Pract. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther ;45 2 Keenan JM. Wax-matrix extended-release niacin vs inositol hexanicotinate: a comparison of wax-matrix, extended-release niacin to inositol hexanicotinate "no-flush" niacin in persons with mild to moderate dyslipidemia. J Clin Lipidol.

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Niacin can even help manage inflammatory skin conditions like bullous pemphigoid or granuloma annulare. Niacin may prevent migraine symptoms by widening the intracranial vessels and following contractions of the extracranial vessels. Vitamin B3 in the form of niacinamide has been shown to increase joint mobility and decrease joint pain, inflammation, and swelling. Because of its anti-inflammatory effect on joints, niacin may serve as a good treatment option for people with arthritis.

A higher intake of niacin may be associated with a slower rate of cognitive decline over time. Niacin is great for the digestive system because vitamin B3 helps break down nutrients like carbs and fats into energy. If someone is deficient in niacin, they may have a hard time digesting food and might experience gastrointestinal problems over time.

According to a study published by The New England Journal of Medicine , niacin supplementation during pregnancy prevented malformations in mice. More human studies need to be done, but preliminary research indicates that niacin may help prevent nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide NAD birth defects in humans and lower overall birth defect rates.

On the other hand, caution is advised for niacin supplementation while breastfeeding, as there is limited human data on the effects of niacin in breastmilk.

New or expecting mothers should always talk to their healthcare provider before introducing new supplements or medications during pregnancy or lactation.

Erectile dysfunction ED is the inability to get or keep an erection. Because niacin helps improve blood flow, it may also be good for impotence. In a study published by the Journal of Sexual Medicine , a daily dose of up to 1, mg of niacin was enough to improve sexual function among men who had both ED and dyslipidemia. Men with dyslipidemia were studied because dyslipidemia is closely related to ED.

However, taking niacin as a dietary supplement or at prescription strength is much more likely to cause side effects, especially if high doses are consumed. Here are the most common side effects of niacin :. Those who start taking it and experience things like low blood pressure, changes in heartbeat, jaundice, ulcers, vision problems, gout symptoms, or diabetes symptoms should talk with a medical professional to see if they should continue to take niacin.

For most people, niacin benefits will outweigh any potential for side effects. Side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal upset may be avoided by taking the niacin dose with food.

Talking to a healthcare provider about starting a low dose of niacin with gradual increases over weeks or months to the desired dose may help to reduce side effects. Also, ask about niacin extended-release formulations, as it causes less flushing.