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Drug Profile

Do NOT stop taking this or any drug without the advice of your physician. Some drugs can cause severe adverse effects when they are stopped suddenly.

Do Not Use [what does this mean?]
Generic drug name: niacin [extended release] [vitamin B3] (NYE a sin)
Brand name(s): NICOBID, SLO-NIACIN
GENERIC: not available FAMILY: Vitamins
Find the drug label by searching at DailyMed.

Alternative Treatment [top]

See nonextended-release niacin.

Facts About This Drug [top]

 

FOODS HIGH IN NIACIN (VITAMIN B3)
Beef, pork, liver, eggs, nuts, poultry, milk and dairy products (all are high in cholesterol and/or fat), fish, whole-grain and enriched breads and cereals, beans, peas, potatoes. Cooking destroys some niacin.  
3½ ounces calves’ liver 16.5 milligrams niacin
1 cup wheat flakes 14.7 milligrams niacin
4 ounces halibut 10.4 milligrams niacin
¼ cup peanuts 10.0...

 

FOODS HIGH IN NIACIN (VITAMIN B3)
Beef, pork, liver, eggs, nuts, poultry, milk and dairy products (all are high in cholesterol and/or fat), fish, whole-grain and enriched breads and cereals, beans, peas, potatoes. Cooking destroys some niacin.  
3½ ounces calves’ liver 16.5 milligrams niacin
1 cup wheat flakes 14.7 milligrams niacin
4 ounces halibut 10.4 milligrams niacin
¼ cup peanuts 10.0 milligrams niacin
3 ½ounces roast turkey 7.7 milligrams niacin
1 slice whole wheat bread 6.0 milligrams niacin

Extended-release forms of niacin (also called sustained-release, modified-release or time released) can cause liver damage. A number of studies have documented that liver toxicity, sometimes quite serious, is much more commonly associated with the extended-release form than with the crystalline or regular.[1],[2]

Do not purchase extended-release niacin pills over the counter to lower blood lipids because the doses are much higher than the amount needed for normal metabolism and the extended-release formulas when taken at high doses probably promote excessive accumulation of the drug in the liver. See also niacin extended release (NIASPAN).

As can be seen in the box above, the RDA for niacin (16 milligrams for men and 14 milligrams for women) can easily be met by dietary sources.

last reviewed May 31, 2024

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