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Niacin flush is a common reaction to high doses of niacin. Other medications, including some antidepressants and hormone replacement therapies (HRTs), can also trigger flush ( 1). High doses of nicotinic acid trigger a response that causes your capillaries to expand, which increases the flow of blood to the skin’s surface ( 1, 6, 7, 8).īy some reports, virtually every person who takes high doses of nicotinic acid experiences flush ( 6). It’s so common that at least half of people who take high doses of immediate-release niacin supplements experience it ( 4, 5). Niacin flush is a very common side effect of taking the immediate-release form of nicotinic acid. extended release, which has a special coating that makes it dissolve more slowly.immediate release, where the whole dose is absorbed at once.There are two main forms of nicotinic acid supplements: However, this form isn’t effective at altering blood fats, such as cholesterol ( 3). The other supplemental form, niacinamide, doesn’t produce flushing. Nicotinic acid is the supplement form people usually use for this purpose.
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It’s part of the B complex of vitamins that play an essential role in turning food into energy for the body ( 2).Īs a supplement, niacin is primarily used to treat high cholesterol levels. It appears as a flush of red on the skin, which may be accompanied by an itching or burning sensation ( 1). Niacin flush is a common side effect of taking high doses of niacin supplements.
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