Niacin Overdose

Niacin or Vitamin B-3 or nicotinic acid is one of the number of vitamins included in the B group of vitamins. It is also amongst the vitamins linked to pandemic deficiency disease pellagra along with scurvy (Vitamin C), Beri Beri (thiamin), rickets (Vitamin D) and Vitamin A deficiency. Basically, niacin helps in proper functioning of the digestive system, nerves and ensures health the skin. Niacin also plays an important role in the process of conversion from food to energy. All said and done, as they say too much of anything is harmful, same applies to niacin as well. When that happens, it is termed as niacin overdose. Coming up is a lowdown on that.

Side Effects of Niacin Overdose

Flushing
Flushing on face and neck is one of the most common side effects of niacin. This can be really uncomfortable when experienced. What happens is that niacin has a natural property of dilating the blood vessels. That leads to the flushing. However, this is nothing abnormal, it is a very common aftereffect of niacin.

Itching and Rashes
In a few cases itching and rashes can accompany flushing. Again this is a normal niacin reaction and one need not worry too much about it.

Tingling Sensation
If consumed in excess, niacin leads to a pins and needles sort of sensation or partial numbness. It is also called Paresthesia. This can vary, sometimes a person feels a partial loss of sensation while sometimes there is just tingling.

Warmth
The body of the person who has consumed too much niacin will become really warm. There is no fever, but on touching, skin can be felt warm akin to a fever. It is often an uncomfortable experience for an individual.

Stomach Upset
Stomach upset involves a number of things. Indigestion, nausea and vomiting have been observed in people who took more dosage than prescribed.

Liver Damage
Prolonged dosage of niacin in amounts more than permitted, can result in damage to the liver. The toxicity of niacin can wreak havoc on a person's liver. If this is not reversed as soon as possible, it can even lead to liver failure.

Muscle Problems
There is a danger of muscle cells getting damaged due to overdose of niacin. Although, just like liver damage, this can happen only if this continues for a long period of time. The symptoms could result from muscle weakness to an overall fatigue.

Some Other Side Effects
Flatulence, heartburn, dry skin, fast or irregular heartbeat, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, headache, exacerbation of diabetic symptoms and dizziness and so on, are other effects of taking too much niacin.

Be careful and alert about these symptoms and if you experience any of these, it is advised that you should immediately see a doctor. Avoiding self medication is the best bet. Here is more on the general course of treatment in the advent of overdose of niacin.

Treatment for Niacin Overdose

First and foremost, it is important to consult your doctor about the dosage of niacin and alter it if required. Instead of a considerably stronger dose at the outset, doses in increasing potency, would help avoid these side effects. In addition to that, for minimizing flushing, usage of aspirin 30 minutes before the niacin dose is recommended. However prior to doing that check with your doctor. Ideally keep alcohol, hot beverages and spicy foods at bay. That will also help reduce flushing. Apart from this, perhaps another form of vitamin B3, niacinamide can be consumed in consultation with a doctor. Niacinamide basically curbs the flushing.

Last but not the least, it is strongly recommended that you do not take any medications on your own. These are just a few guidelines on the basis of which, you can ask your physician and explain him or her what exactly is the problem. Take care!