Side Effects of Niacin Pills

Niacin is also called vitamin B3, nicotinic acid and niacinamide and is available as an over-the-counter dietary supplement as well as prescription formulation. Your doctor may suggest or prescribe niacin as a way to lower your cholesterol or decrease the amount of plaque and hardening in your arteries, although unwanted side effects may occur. According to the National Library of Medicine and Drugs.com, side effects of niacin pills include skin problems and liver damage.

Blood Pressure

• Niacin may lower your blood pressure too much, which can result in feelings of dizziness, fainting or shock, which is a medical emergency.

Flushing

• Niacin pills may cause your face and neck to turn bright or dark red in color and this flushing can spread down your chest and arms.

Hotness

• You may develop hotness within your body as well as on the surface of your skin and it may begin with your face and spread down your body.

Liver Damage

• Taking too much niacin or taking niacin with other substances such as aspirin or cholesterol medications may result in liver damage.

Rashes

• You may get a rash on your skin within a few minutes of taking niacin pills and the rash may become itchy and inflamed.

Upset Stomach

• If you take niacin on an empty stomach, you may get a stomach ache or nausea; taking niacin with food or milk can decrease this effect.