Inositol Nicotinate

• Overview
• Uses
• Side Effects
• Interactions
• Dosing

Inositol nicotinate is a compound made of niacin (vitamin B3) and inositol. Inositol occurs naturally in the body and can also be made in the laboratory.

Inositol nicotinate is used for treating blood circulation problems, includingpainwhenwalkingdue to poor circulation in the legs (intermittent claudication); skin changes caused by pooling of the blood in the legs (stasisdermatitis) when veins are ineffective in returning blood to theheart; narrowing of the blood vessels leading tocold fingersand toes (Raynaud's disease); and blood flow problems in the brain (cerebralvascular disease). Inositol nicotinate has been used in conventional medical practice in Great Britain for improving symptoms of poor circulation for many years, although it is usually not the preferred treatment choice.

Inositol nicotinate is also used forhigh cholesterol;high blood pressure;sleep problems(insomnia);migrainesrelated to “hardening of the arteries” (atherosclerosis);skin conditions, includingscleroderma,acne, dermatitis,psoriasis, and others; inflammation of the tongue (exfoliative glossitis);restless leg syndrome; andschizophreniaand other mental illnesses.

How does it work?

Inositol nicotinate releases a form of niacin when it is processed by the body. The niacin can widen blood vessels, lower blood levels offatssuch ascholesterol, and break up a protein needed for the clotting of blood.

Possibly Effective for...

• Painful response tocoldespecially in the fingers and toes (Raynaud'sdisease). Some research suggests that taking a specific product of inositol nicotinate (Hexopal) by mouth for several weeks modestly improves symptoms of Raynaud's syndrome.

Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...

• High cholesterol. The effectiveness of inositol nicotinate for treating high cholesterol is controversial. While some research suggests that inositol nicotinate taken by mouth may decreasecholesterol levels, others research shows that inositol nicotinate does not have an effect.
• Crampingpainandweaknessin the legs due to poor circulation (intermittentclaudication). The effectiveness of inositol nicotinate for treating intermittentclaudicationis controversial. While some research suggests that taking a specific inositol nicotinate product (Hexopal) by mouth for up to 3 months improves walking distance and reduces symptoms in people with this condition, other research shows conflicting results.
• Blood disordersof the brain.
• Migraineheadaches.
• Hardened skin (scleroderma).
• Sleeplessness(insomnia).
• High blood pressure.
• Restless leg syndrome.
• Acne.
• Skin inflammation(dermatitis).
• 舌头的炎症(表皮剥脱的舌炎).
• Psoriasis.
• Schizophrenia.
• Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of inositol nicotinate for these uses.

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).

Inositol nicotinate isPOSSIBLY SAFEfor most people when taken by mouth. It can cause some side effects such as stomach upset,headache,nausea, burping, andhiccups. It might also causeliverdamage like other niacin products in some people.

Some inositol nicotinate products are promoted as "no-flush" niacin because some people think they don't cause as much flushing as regular niacin. But this possible benefit has not been proven in research studies.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancyand breast-feeding: There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking inositol nicotinate if you arepregnantor breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Allergies: Niacin, a chemical that is released when inositol nicotinate breaks down in the body, might makeallergiesworse by releasing histamine. This is the chemical that triggers过敏症状.

Bleeding disorder: Inositol nicotinate might slow blood clotting. In theory, inositol nicotinate might increase the risk of bleeding and makebleeding disordersworse.

心disease/heart-relatedchest pain(unstableangina): Large amounts of niacin, a chemical that is released when inositol nicotinate breaks down in the body, can increase the risk of irregular heartbeat. If you have a heart condition, check with your healthcare provider before using inositol nicotinate.

Diabetes: Niacin, a chemical that is released when inositol nicotinate breaks down in the body, can interfere with bloodsugarcontrol. This might require an adjustment in the dose of medicines needed to controldiabetes. Increased bloodsugarmonitoring may be necessary, particularly at the beginning of treatment. If you havediabetes, check with your healthcare provider before using inositol nicotinate.

Gallbladder disease: Niacin, a chemical that is released when inositol nicotinate breaks down in the body, might make gallbladder problems worse. Use with caution.

Gout: Large amounts of niacin, a chemical that is released when inositol nicotinate breaks down in the body, might triggergout. Use with caution.

Low blood pressure: Niacin, a chemical that is released when inositol nicotinate breaks down in the body, can causelow blood pressure. Use with caution.

Kidney disease: Niacin, a chemical that is released when inositol nicotinate breaks down in the body, might accumulate in people with kidney disease and make their condition worse. Don't use inositol nicotinate if you have kidney problems.

Liver disease: Niacin, a chemical that is released when inositol nicotinate breaks down in the body, can cause liver damage. Don't use inositol nicotinate if you haveliver disease.

Sensitivity to niacin: Niacin is released when inositol nicotinate is processed by the body. If you are sensitive to niacin, don't use inositol nicotinate.

Ulcers in the stomach orintestines(peptic ulcerdisease): Large amounts of niacin, a chemical that is released when inositol nicotinate breaks down in the body, might makepeptic ulcerdisease worse. Don't use inositol nicotinate if you have ulcers.

Surgery: Inositol nicotinate might slow blood clotting. There is some concern that it might increase the risk of bleeding during and after surgery. Stop taking inositol nicotinate at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

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Medications for diabetes(Antidiabetesdrugs)Interaction Rating:ModerateBe cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.

Long-term use of inositol nicotinate might increase blood sugar.Diabetes medications用于降低血糖。通过increasing blood sugar, inositol nicotinate might decrease the effectiveness of diabetes medications. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medication might need to be changed.

Some medications used for diabetes includeglimepiride(Amaryl),glyburide(DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase),insulin,pioglitazone(Actos),rosiglitazone(Avandia),chlorpropamide(Diabinese),glipizide(Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others.

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Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant/ Antiplatelet drugs)Interaction Rating:ModerateBe cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.

Inositol nicotinate might slow blood clotting. Taking inositol nicotinate along with medications that also slow clotting might increase the chances ofbruisingand bleeding.

Some medications that slow blood clotting includeaspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix),diclofenac(Voltaren,Cataflam, others),ibuprofen(Advil,Motrin, others),naproxen(Anaprox,Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (陈香美),enoxaparin(Lovenox),heparin,warfarin(Coumadin), and others.

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Medications used forlowering cholesterol(Statins)Interaction Rating:ModerateBe cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.

Inositol nicotinate is changed in the body to niacin. Niacin can affect the muscles. Some medication used for lowering cholesterol can also affect the muscles. Taking niacin along with some medications used for lowering high cholesterol might increase the risk of muscle problems.

Some medications used for high cholesterol includecerivastatin(Baycol),atorvastatin(Lipitor),lovastatin(洛伐他汀),pravastatin(Pravachol),simvastatin(Zocor), and others.

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Nicotine patch(Transdermalnicotine)Interaction Rating:ModerateBe cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.

Inositol nicotinate is broken down in the body to niacin. Niacin can sometimes cause flushing anddizziness. The nicotine patch can also cause flushing anddizziness. Taking inositol nicotinate and using a nicotine patch can increase the possibility of becoming flushed and dizzy.

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

BY MOUTH:

• For blood circulation problems in the legs,feetand arms: The typical dosing range is 1500-4000 mg of inositol nicotinate daily given in 2-4 divided doses.