Vitamins
Vitamin B3 (niacin)
Also called: niacin, nicotinic acid, niacinamide, nicotinamide
A B vitamin for energy and skin. Niacin (nicotinic acid) and niacinamide act differently.
- Why people take it
- Cholesterol (niacin), skin care and skin-cancer prevention (niacinamide).
- What the evidence says
- Niacin raises HDL but did not prevent heart attacks in large trials. Niacinamide lowered new skin cancers in people with many past ones.
- How it is usually taken
- Nicotinamide 500 mg twice a day is used for skin cancer prevention in high-risk people; nicotinic acid in gram doses only under a doctor. Found in peanuts, fish, chicken and whole grains.
- Be careful
- High-dose niacin causes flushing and can harm the liver and raise blood sugar; take only with a doctor.
- Medicines it can interact with
- High-dose nicotinic acid with statins adds to muscle and liver risk and raises blood sugar in diabetes.
Other vitamins
Common questions
What is Vitamin B3?
A B vitamin for energy and skin. Niacin (nicotinic acid) and niacinamide act differently.
Why do people take Vitamin B3?
Cholesterol (niacin), skin care and skin-cancer prevention (niacinamide).
Does Vitamin B3 work?
Niacin raises HDL but did not prevent heart attacks in large trials. Niacinamide lowered new skin cancers in people with many past ones.
How much Vitamin B3 do people take?
Nicotinamide 500 mg twice a day is used for skin cancer prevention in high-risk people; nicotinic acid in gram doses only under a doctor. Found in peanuts, fish, chicken and whole grains.
Is Vitamin B3 safe?
High-dose niacin causes flushing and can harm the liver and raise blood sugar; take only with a doctor.
Does Vitamin B3 interact with medicines?
High-dose nicotinic acid with statins adds to muscle and liver risk and raises blood sugar in diabetes.
Sources and further reading
Last reviewed 31 October 2026. Written by Satya Babu.
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