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Vitamin PP (nicotinic acid)
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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Vitamin PP (nicotinic acid) is one of the most necessary vitamins for humans. This vitamin is especially useful for smokers who have impaired nervous system functions. If a person's body lacks vitamin PP, he can be aggressive, irritable, he rushes in all directions and cannot make decisions calmly. This is probably why doctors have dubbed nicotinic acid the vitamin of calm. When smokers stop replenishing their body with nicotinic acid from cigarettes for a short time, they become very irritable. This causes the need for a cigarette.
Benefits of nicotinic acid (vitamin PP)
All vitamins help the body convert carbohydrates from food into an energy source (glucose), and nicotinic acid is no exception. It is part of a complex of vitamins necessary for healthy skin, hair, eyes and good liver function. Vitamin PP also helps the nervous system remain strong and efficient.
Nicotinic acid also helps the body – attention! – reduce the effects of stress. It inhibits the production of hormones that are produced by the adrenal glands during stress, and also helps improve blood circulation.
Scientific studies have shown that niacin may improve arthritis symptoms, including increasing joint mobility and reducing the negative effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Studies over the past few years have shown that people who were recommended higher levels of niacin by their doctor had a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.
Another study found that people who got adequate doses of niacin from foods and supplements had a reduced risk of developing cataracts.
Scientific research is currently underway proving that the use of nicotinic acid can reduce the risk of serious illnesses such as migraines, dizziness, depression, alcohol addiction and smoking.
Need for vitamin PP
The daily dose of vitamin PP is small - for men it is from 1 to 28 mg, and for women - up to 20 mg.
| Age | Daily dose |
|---|---|
| 6 months | 2 mg |
| 7 months - 1 year | 4 mg |
| 1 - 3 years | 6 mg |
| 4 - 8 years | 8 mg |
| 9 - 13 years old | 12 mg |
| Boys 14 - 18 years old | 16 mg |
| Girls 14 - 18 years old | 14 mg |
| Age | Daily dose |
|---|---|
| Men 19 years and older | 16 mg |
| Women 19 years and older | 14 mg |
| Pregnant women | 18 mg |
| Nursing mothers | 17 mg |
Forms of vitamin PP
A person who takes nicotinic acid should know that it exists in two forms: niacin and niacinamide. If niacin is used in combination with vitamin C, a person will be able to cope with a cold much easier. This is a good remedy for increasing immunity. Niacin is good because it cannot be destroyed by cooking or drying, so a person can eat processed foods, sources of niacin.
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Contraindications
People with liver disease, kidney disease, stomach ulcers should not take niacin supplements. Those with diabetes or gallbladder disease should do so only under close medical supervision.
Stop taking niacin at least two weeks before your scheduled surgery.
Niacin and niacinamide can make allergies worse by increasing the substance histamine in the body.
People with low blood pressure should not take niacin or niacinamide because it causes low blood pressure.
Patients with gout should not take vitamin PP.
People with coronary artery disease or unstable angina should not take niacin without a doctor's supervision, as in high doses it may increase the risk of abnormal heart rhythms.
Taking vitamin PP for a long time can lead to an imbalance of other vitamins in the body.
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Overdose of vitamin PP
Very high doses of vitamin PP can be toxic to the body. You cannot take nicotinic acid more than the recommended daily dose. This can cause fainting, skin rash, itching, weakness, increased doses of "bad" cholesterol in the blood.
Large doses of niacin cause headaches, dizziness, and blurred vision. There is also an increased risk of liver damage. In addition, nicotinic acid can interact with other medications or vitamins, causing a person to have an increased risk of heart and vascular diseases.
Possible interactions of vitamin PP with other drugs
If you are taking any of the medications listed above, do not take niacin without consulting your doctor.
Tetracycline antibiotics - niacin should not be taken with tetracycline because it interferes with the absorption and effectiveness of the drug.
Aspirin - Taking it before niacin may reduce the effectiveness of both, so both drugs should only be taken under the supervision of a doctor.
Anticoagulants (blood thinners) - Niacin may make these medications stronger, increasing the risk of bleeding.
Alpha blockers (drugs to lower blood pressure) - nicotinic acid in interaction with them can lower blood pressure even more.
Cholesterol-lowering drugs - Niacin binds to components of cholesterol-lowering drugs and can make them less effective. For this reason, niacin and similar drugs should be taken at different times of the day.
Diabetes medications - Niacin may increase blood sugar levels. People taking insulin, metformin, glibenclamide, glipizide, or other medications to lower high blood glucose levels should avoid niacin supplements.
Isoniazid (INH) – this drug for the treatment of tuberculosis can cause vitamin PP deficiency.
So, before including vitamin PP in your diet, you should definitely consult with your doctor to bring benefit to your health, not harm.
Food sources of vitamin PP
The best food sources of vitamin PP are beets, brewer's yeast, beef liver, beef kidneys, salmon, swordfish, tuna, sunflower seeds, peanuts. Bakery products and cereals are rich in niacin. Protein products containing niacin are red meat, eggs and dairy products.
Higher doses of niacin are used to treat specific conditions only with a doctor's prescription. The amount of niacin should be increased slowly over 4 to 6 weeks, and it should be taken with food to avoid stomach irritation.
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Vitamin PP deficiency
It is a water-soluble vitamin, the body does not store it for long. Therefore, a person can very easily develop a deficiency of vitamin PP, that is, nicotinic acid.
But you should know that alcoholism is the main cause of vitamin PP deficiency.
Symptoms of mild deficiency of this vitamin include upset stomach, fatigue, stomach ulcers, vomiting and depression.
Severe niacin deficiency can lead to a condition known as pellagra (a type of vitamin deficiency). Pellagra is characterized by cracked skin, scaly skin, dementia, and diarrhea. Vitamin PP deficiency also causes a burning sensation in the mouth and a swollen, bright red tongue.
Attention!
To simplify the perception of information, this instruction for use of the drug "Vitamin PP (nicotinic acid)" translated and presented in a special form on the basis of the official instructions for medical use of the drug. Before use read the annotation that came directly to medicines.
Description provided for informational purposes and is not a guide to self-healing. The need for this drug, the purpose of the treatment regimen, methods and dose of the drug is determined solely by the attending physician. Self-medication is dangerous for your health.