Niacin how long

Flushing causes temporary reddening, and the skin may be warm to the touch. Niacin flush is a minor, non-harmful side effect and is not considered dangerous unless it is accompanied by more serious side effects such as a rash, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face or tongue, which could indicate a severe reaction.

Side effects tend to be more profound and occur more frequently when higher doses of niacin are administered, therefore most doctors will prescribe a low dose and gradually build up to higher levels if necessary. It is also important that patients not use niacin supplements to replace medications without a doctors supervision due to the higher concentration of niacin present in many supplements.

As the body becomes more saturated with niacin, the duration of flushes will shorten. In time, niacin flushes will occur less often or stop altogether. To help patients deal with discomfort, the manufacturers of Niaspan, a popular niacin medication, suggests several techniques to reduce niacin flush.

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This content does not have an Arabic version. See more conditions. Drugs and Supplements Niacin Oral Route. Products and services. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information. Healthy young adults supplementing with niacin may efficiently metabolize and excrete it, whereas elderly adults may exhibit slower niacin metabolism and excretion.

Prolonged elimination half-life among elderly individuals may result from: alterations in volume of distribution, concomitant medications, diminishing hepatic function, decreased renal function, and slower metabolic rate.

Individuals with a high body fat percentage are thought to eliminate niacin quicker from systemic circulation than those with low body fat. This is due to the fact that niacin is water soluble hydrophilic and has an affinity for water stores within the body. A high body fat percentage is usually associated with less muscle tissue, and ultimately fewer water stores.

Fewer water stores inhibit niacin retention and essentially forces it from out of systemic circulation at a faster pace than usual. Conversely, individuals with lower BMIs and less fat tend to carry more muscle tissue and water stores , and retain niacin for a longer duration than obese counterparts. Genetics : Among those taking extremely high doses of supplemental niacin, it is possible that functionality of hepatic CYP isoenzymes may be compromised.

If you are a high dose user and are considered a CYP2D6 poor or intermediate metabolizer in that you have non-functional CYP2D6 alleles , plasma concentrations and elimination half-life of niacin may be increased.

If you are considered an ultrarapid or extensive CYP2D6 metabolizer, you may eliminate niacin and its metabolites faster and with greater efficiency than other high dose users. Hepatic function : It is unclear as to whether hepatic impairment extends the elimination half-life of supplemental niacin.

That said, it is likely that hepatic dysfunction has an impact on niacin metabolism due to the fact that niacin is metabolized within the liver. Therefore, it would be expected that among individuals with hepatic impairment, niacin is less efficiently metabolized, its plasma concentrations are greater, and elimination is prolonged. The degree of hepatic impairment e. The greater the severity of hepatic impairment and dosage especially with sustained-release formats , the longer the elimination half-life of niacin is likely to be.

Burning more energy at rest is associated with faster metabolism and excretion of exogenous substances such as supplemental niacin. If you know that you have a high metabolism, niacin may be eliminated at least slightly quicker than someone with a lower metabolism.

Drugs that inhibit functionality of CYP2D6 may increase plasma concentrations of niacin, ultimately prolonging its elimination half-life. Oppositely, drugs that induce function of CYP2D6 may create more metabolites and decrease plasma concentrations of niacin. If you took an inhibitor along with high-dose niacin, plasma retention may be longer, whereas if you took an inducer with high-dose niacin, plasma retention may be shorter.

Renal function : Most medical literature suggests that niacin-based drugs and supplements should be administered with caution among those with renal impairment. After niacin is metabolized and distributed, its metabolites are eliminated via various pathways in the kidneys. Efficiency of metabolite excretion may be compromised among those with impaired renal function. Someone with severe renal impairment e. Renal impairment may lead to metabolite accumulation, reabsorption, and redistribution — all of which may prolong the excretion process.

Sex : Studies have shown that steady-state levels of niacin-based pharmaceuticals such as Niaspan are higher in females than males. Though elevated plasma concentrations do not always prolong elimination half-life of substances, they sometimes do. For this reason, it could be expected that at standard doses, elimination half-life of niacin may be longer in women than men.

It then subject to extensive hepatic first-pass metabolism in which it undergoes glycine conjugation to form the metabolite nicotinuric acid NUA. Your doctor may start you on a lowered dose or a different medication schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body.

However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. Always speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you. High cholesterol levels put you at a higher risk for heart attack and stroke.

For this drug to work well, a certain amount needs to be in your body at all times. If you take too much: You could have dangerous levels of the drug in your body. You may have the following symptoms:. If your symptoms are severe, call or go to the nearest emergency room right away. What to do if you miss a dose: Take your dose as soon as you remember.

But if you remember just a few hours before your next scheduled dose, take only one dose. Never try to catch up by taking two doses at once. This could result in dangerous side effects. Your doctor may adjust your dose depending on your cholesterol levels. A prescription for this medication is refillable. You should not need a new prescription for this medication to be refilled.

Your doctor will write the number of refills authorized on your prescription. This monitoring may be done using three tests:. This can reduce your risk of flushing reddening and warming of your face. There are other drugs available to treat your condition. Some may be better suited for you than others. Talk to your doctor about other drug options that may work for you. Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up-to-date.

However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

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