Summary

Commonly reported side effects of niacin include: pruritus, nausea, and flushing. Other side effects include: skin rash, and vomiting. Continue reading for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.

Applies to niacin: oral tablets.

Side effects include:

Flushing (e.g., warmth, redness, itching and/or tingling), headache, pain, abdominal pain, diarrhea, dyspepsia, nausea, vomiting, rhinitis, pruritus, rash.

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to niacin: compounding powder, oral capsule, oral capsule extended release, oral liquid, oral tablet, oral tablet extended release.

Cardiovascular

Very common (10% or more): Flushing (i.e., warmth, redness, itching, and/or tingling) (up to 88%)

Frequency not reported: Tachycardia, palpitations, atrial fibrillation, other cardiac arrhythmias, syncope, hypotension, postural hypotension^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Common (1% to 10%): Rash, pruritus

Frequency not reported: Sweating, skin burning sensation, maculopapular rash, dry skin

Postmarketing reports: Skin discoloration^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Very common (10% or more): Diarrhea (up to 14%), nausea (up to 11%)

Common (1% to 10%): Vomiting

Frequency not reported: Peptic ulcers, eructation, flatulence^[Ref]

Hematologic

Postmarketing reports: Slight reductions in platelet counts, prothrombin time prolonged^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Postmarketing reports: Hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., anaphylaxis, angioedema, urticaria, flushing, dyspnea, tongue edema, larynx edema, face edema, peripheral edema, laryngismus, vesiculobullous rash)^[Ref]

Hepatic

Postmarketing reports: Hepatitis, jaundice^[Ref]

Metabolic

Frequency not reported: Decreased glucose tolerance, gout^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Frequency not reported: Myalgia, myopathy^[Ref]

Nervous system

Frequency not reported: Dizziness, syncope

Postmarketing reports: Migraine, asthenia, paresthesia^[Ref]

Ocular

Postmarketing reports: Blurred vision, macular edema^[Ref]

Psychiatric

Postmarketing reports: Insomnia, nervousness^[Ref]

Other

Frequency not reported: Chills, edema^[Ref]

Respiratory

Common (1% to 10%): Cough increased

Frequency not reported: Dyspnea^[Ref]