The no-flush one
Niacinamide (nicotinamide)
Doesn't cause flushing. The usual form for general and skin support. It doesn't lower cholesterol.
Good for: Everyday use · Skin
What variations of niacin exist?
Needed to make NAD, a molecule every cell uses for energy and repair. It comes in two main forms that act very differently: niacin can cause flushing and affects cholesterol, while niacinamide does neither. It comes in 5 forms, and they aren't all the same. Here's how they differ.
For education only. What's right for you depends on your health and your medications, so check with your provider before you start or switch. Book a consult
Our top pick
Every form, in plain words
The no-flush one
Niacinamide (nicotinamide)
Doesn't cause flushing. The usual form for general and skin support. It doesn't lower cholesterol.
Good for: Everyday use · Skin
The flushing one
Immediate-release niacin (nicotinic acid)
Causes flushing, warmth, and itching. Used for cholesterol only with medical monitoring.
The NAD one
Nicotinamide riboside
Studied for boosting NAD, a molecule your cells use for energy. Research in people is still early.
Usually skip
- The slow-release one (Sustained-release or time-release niacin)Flushes less, but has the highest risk of liver injury at high amounts.
- The 'no-flush' one ('No-flush' niacin (inositol hexanicotinate))Releases little usable niacin and hasn't been shown to help cholesterol.
Spotting a good one on the shelf
Look for
- Look for 'Niacinamide' on the label (the no-flush one)
Watch out for
- 'Niacin' on the label without saying whether it's nicotinic acid or niacinamide
- Sustained-release, time-release, or slow-release niacin
- 'Flush-free' or 'no-flush' niacin sold for cholesterol
Check with your provider first if…
- You have liver disease, drink heavily, or notice signs of liver strain like nausea, dark urine, or yellow skin or eyes. Stop and get checked.
- You take a statin or other cholesterol medicine. Adding high-dose niacin can raise the risk of muscle and liver problems.
- You have diabetes or prediabetes, since high-dose niacin can raise blood sugar
- You have gout or a stomach ulcer, which high-dose niacin can make worse
- You're pregnant or breastfeeding. The amount in a prenatal is fine. Avoid high-dose niacin.
In Dr. Lesher's store
3 products in Dr. Lesher's dispensary have niacin. Here's which form, where the label says.
Check with your provider before taking any of these, especially if you're pregnant or take medications.
MegaFood
Baby & Me 2™
Has niacinamide (the no-flush one), good for skin
10 mg per serving
MegaFood
Baby & Me 2™ Postnatal Multi
Has niacinamide (the no-flush one), good for skin
8.5 mg per serving
BioPharma Scientific
nanoLEAN®, Natural Berry
5 mg per serving
Ready to find the root cause?
Dr. Lesher is a Naturopathic Doctor who focuses on autoimmune and chronic conditions in women. Since 2020, she's helped hundreds of patients stop managing symptoms and start healing.