Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40999226›Full record

SynthesisEye (London, England)2025

The adverse effects of oral niacin/nicotinamide - an overview of reviews.

Su Ling Young, Gus Gazzard

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Eye (London, England), 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

2 authors.

Su Ling YoungMoorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK. Drsuyoung@gmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2992-5990
Gus GazzardMoorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1982-5005

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Nicotinamide(NAM) and niacin are forms of vitamin B3 commonly utilised as health supplements. Recent studies highlight its potential effects in glaucoma, leading to increasing use by patients. However, there are no studies on the adverse effects (AEs) of nicotinamide or niacin use in ophthalmology. We examined the incidence of clinically important AEs of oral NAM/niacin in humans and subsequent management strategies. A systematic search of reviews or meta-analyses was undertaken using pre-defined search criteria on PubMed with inclusion were agreed on by two independent researchers. Risk of bias assessment was performed using the ROBIS checklist.14 reviews were included, revealing the following: (1) Oral niacin and NAM were associated with a range of AEs including GI upset, liver dysfunction, flushing/vasodilatory effects, skin rash and fatigue. (2) Oral NAM is associated with a lower incidence of AEs than niacin. (3) AEs are more common with higher doses of oral NAM/niacin, and limits tolerability depending on co-morbid status (e.g.: renal dysfunction). (4) Only 6 reviews described discontinuation or reduction in dosage for AEs. (5) The majority of AEs diminished or resolved with reduction or discontinuation of oral niacin/NAM. AEs are diverse and dose-dependent, however, there remains a paucity of literature examining its side effects in a systematic manner. Standardised dosing, outcome measures and adverse effects should be utilised in further research and a surveillance system for reporting adverse effects. Regular clinical monitoring of AEs may not be indicated for doses of oral NAM under 1500 mg/day.

Indexed as

NiacinNiacinamideVitamin B ComplexAdministration, OralComorbidityDietary SupplementsHumansNiacinNiacinamideVitamin B Complex

Identifiers

PMID40999226
PMCPMC12583601

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.