Expert: Dr. Ravindra Bhaskar Ghooi - 6/14/2009

Question
Hi, I recently bought some diet pills called "Reveal".  The ingredients, of course, consist of a ridiculous amount of b6 and b12 vitamins (along with other strange items); however, the dosage of niacin in the pill is only 15 mg.  The first time I took this pill I had no reaction.  The last two times, though, I had an almost immediate flushing of my face and joint areas.  It was actually somewhat painfully, or more or less annoying, to walk with my seemingly inflamed knees.  

Could this side effect be from the niacin?  I have heard niacin causes flushing of the face, neck, and ears; however, I am only taking 15mg at a time.  

(Side Note: Could an allergy to sulfa drugs in any way be significant to this situation?)

Thank you for your time.

Answer
Hi Kaitlin,
You are right! Niacin does produce these reactions, but at much higher doses. My guess is that you are having an allergic reaction to one of the ingredients (even B6 and B12 cause such reactions). I would suggest you stop the product immediately and see if you improve. That would be the best otion.
Ravi Ghooi