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Pharmacy/Niacin for Lipids

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Expert: William J. Walker, Pharm.D. - 1/7/2004


Question
Another question has come up.  I checked on immediate-release niacin at my pharmacy.  The container didn't indicate whether it was nicotinic acid or niacinamide, and the pharmacist wasn't sure.  Are all immediate-release niacin products nicotinic acid?

Thanks for your indulgence.

Answer
By simple definition niacin is nicotinic acid.    Most immediate release formulations of niacin will be nothing more than basic niacin or nicotinic acid.    However,   the difference between the two is hardly significant.    Niacinamide is what our body converts niacin into metabolically and that process is very simple.    There are products I have seen that contain a mixture of both substances.     Usually vitamin complexes.    Whereas niacin as the sole substance is nicotinic acid.

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William J. Walker, Pharm.D.

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Homeopathic, alternative, herbal, natural, adverse drug reactions, side effects, risks, outcomes, research, medication, rational therapeutics, infectious diseases, cardiology, pain management, nutrition, psychopharmacology, oncology, pediatrics, sleep disorders, tropical diseases, HIV, drug interactions, substance abuse, illicit drugs of abuse, geriatrics

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