What is the composition of nicotinic acid? After all, it is a vitamin and a drug that is involved in most oxidative reactions of body cells. It is also called niacin, vitamin PP, vitamin B3, and in some cases B5. It is necessary for a person daily in an amount of 15 to 20 mg per day.
The daily requirement of this vitamin can be achieved through food, vitamins, as well as ampoules for intramuscular injection. In any case, before making up for the lack of niacin in the body, you should understand its beneficial properties, as well as study the instructions for using the most popular and effective forms of the vitamin.
Composition and pharmacological properties
Vitamin PP is often prescribed by doctors. It is produced in the form of a solution in ampoules and tablets. The composition of nicotinic acid is of interest to many. Therefore, we explain that it includes the vitamin itself. As well as glucose and stearic acid. Solution sold in ampoules other than nicotinic acidcontains treated water and sodium bicarbonate.
As for the pharmacological properties of nicotinic acid, it has a hypolipidemic, vasodilating, antipellagric and hypocholesterolemic effect on the body. Sufficient consumption of this vitamin normalizes the condition of tissues, regulates the breakdown of glycogen, the synthesis of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. The composition of nicotinic acid helps it inhibit lipolysis, lower the level of triglycerides and cholesterol in the blood. It is also known for its anti-atherogenic and detoxifying properties. The use of vitamin PP helps to expand blood vessels, improve microcirculation, and reduce the risk of blood clots.
Indications for use
The composition of nicotinic acid ampoules allows them to be used in the detection of pellagra caused by a lack of this vitamin in the body. Tablets and solutions with its content are shown in complex therapy under the following conditions:
- Ischemic circulatory disorders in brain activity.
- Spasm of blood vessels in the limbs.
- Atherosclerosis.
- Dyslipidemia.
- Spasm of kidney vessels.
- With long healing of wounds on the skin.
- Complications caused by diabetes mellitus (with diabetic polyneuropathy, microangiopathy).
- Hypoacid gastritis, enterocolitis, colitis.
- Malabsorption syndrome.
- Acute and chronic hepatitis and other liver diseases.
- Neuritis of the facial nerve.
- Dermatosis.
- Dramatic weight loss.
- Malnutrition.
- Malignant tumors.
- Hyperthyroidism.
- Gastrectomy.
- With intoxications of various origins: alcohol, drugs, chemicals.
Niacin belongs to the category of drugs that require medical advice before use. Only a specialist can determine the need for the use of this substance, as well as draw up its exact dosage.
Injections. Features of procedures
The dosage of nicotinic acid injections is determined based on the condition of the body. Also, depending on it, the method of administration of the drug is chosen. With a pathology such as pellagra, the solution must be injected into a vein. The lack of a sufficient amount of vitamin PP can also be compensated by intramuscular injection of nicotinic acid.
The instructions for the drug contain information that during anti-pellagric therapy, the solution must be administered intramuscularly 1-2 times a day, 100 mg or 50 mg into a vein. Therefore, treatment should continue for 10 to 15 days. In a condition after an ischemic stroke, the drug must be administered in an amount of not more than 50 mg.
You need to give injections according to certain rules. If intramuscular administration is intended, 1 ml of a 1% niacin solution in ampoules will be needed. For injections into a vein, from 1 to 5 ml of a 1% solution is required, previously diluted in a special physiological solution with a volume of 5 ml.
The use of nicotineacid intramuscularly or subcutaneously is accompanied by unpleasant and painful sensations. A few minutes after the injection, a burning sensation may appear, which then passes. Injections into a vein can cause a feeling of heat and redness of the skin. Such reactions are the body's normal response to vitamin PP injections. If there is no redness, this may indicate a violation of blood circulation. If the pain and burning after the injection lasts more than 30 minutes, then the injection was not performed correctly. To exclude such phenomena, it is necessary to use the services of a nurse and conduct a course of injections in the doctor's office.
Instructions for the use of tablets
Medicine in the form of nicotinic acid tablets should be taken only after meals. You can not do it on an empty stomach or immediately after waking up. The prophylactic dosage of the drug depends on the condition of the body and age. Based on the instructions for the use of nicotinic acid in tablets, children can be given from 5 to 25 mg of vitamin PP, and adults - from 12 to 25 mg. With a deficiency of niacin, accompanied by a pathology such as pellagra, adults are shown a dosage of 100 mg of the drug 2 to 4 times a day. Children can be given from 12 to 50 mg of the drug in tablets 2 or 3 times a day. The course of therapy in this case is from 14 to 21 days.
When determining atherosclerotic vascular lesions, the recommended dosage is from 2 to 3 g of the drug, divided into 2-4 doses per day. Therapeutic treatment of dyslipidemia is carried out by a single use method50 mg of medication per day. In the absence of side effects from the composition of nicotinic acid, this dosage can be increased from one to 2-3 doses per day. The minimum course of treatment lasts 30 days. Re-treatment is possible after examination by a doctor, passing a test to determine the amount of niacin, as well as a sustained interval after 1 month of using the tablets.
In any other conditions in which vitamin PP is required, the dosage of this drug should be observed in the amount of 5-25 mg per day for children and 20-50 mg for adults. Based on the instructions for the use of nicotinic acid in tablets, in some cases, adults may be prescribed 100 mg of the drug, divided into several doses per day. It should only be taken after meals.
Overdose and side effects
The composition of nicotinic acid can provoke the development of an allergic reaction or side effects. Especially if you use the medicine, neglecting the instructions. In such cases, the use of tablets or injection solution may cause the following side effects:
- Hypotension.
- Redness of the skin (face and upper body).
- Tingling accompanied by burning sensation that does not go away for a long time.
- Dizziness and headache.
- Active production of gastric juice.
- Orthostatic hypotension may develop if the intravenous solution is inaccurately administered.
- Intense rush of blood to the head and skin of the face.
- Severe itching or hives.
- Dyspepsia.
- Pain and swelling in the area of subcutaneous or intramuscular administration of the drug.
- Hypophosphatemia.
- Decreased platelet count.
- Insomnia, myalgia.
- Convulsions.
- Deterioration of vision and swelling of the eyelids.
- Exfoliative dermatitis.
If you take niacin at a dosage higher than recommended, pathological conditions such as anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, digestive tract disorders, liver failure, obesity, arrhythmia, hyperglycemia, paresthesia, gastric ulcer can develop. Transient alkaline phosphatase activity may also occur.
Overdose of nicotinic acid is dangerous for the occurrence of fatty degeneration of the liver. In order not to provoke such a deviation, during treatment with vitamin PP, you need to monitor the diet. Doctors recommend eating as much food as possible with amino acids and methionine. To eliminate the symptoms of an overdose, prolipotropic drugs may be prescribed.
Contraindications for use
Before starting a course of treatment, it is necessary to visit a doctor. Not everyone can take this vitamin in the form of tablets or injections of nicotinic acid intramuscularly. Instructions for use contains information about side effects that may occur during self-medication. Contraindications include the following conditions:
- Individual intolerancecomponents of the drug.
- Peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum.
- Severe hypertension.
- Presence of kidney failure.
- Gout.
- Diabetes mellitus.
- Recent myocardial infarction.
- Pregnancy.
- Breastfeeding.
- Niacin should not be taken by children under 15.
It is forbidden to use this substance in case of bleeding and hemorrhage, as well as malfunctions in the liver. It is also necessary to take into account the possible intolerance of nicotinic acid by the body. An additional contraindication is exacerbation of gastric ulcers and hyperuricemia.
Special instructions for use
When preparing for a course of treatment with nicotinic acid, it must be remembered that injections are quite painful, and therefore are not suitable for those people who have a low pain threshold. In addition to its benefits, vitamin PP also helps to remove toxic substances and heavy metals from the body. Therefore, those who periodically drink alcohol and smoke are prescribed injections of nicotinic acid intramuscularly for prevention. Instructions for use states that in such situations, a dosage of 1 g of the active substance per day is recommended.
During the course of treatment, it is necessary to monitor the condition of the liver. Especially when using large dosages of the drug. You should also take into account the fact that niacin has the ability to irritate the mucous membranes. That is why it can not be taken with ulcerative lesions of the stomach andduodenum. If the drug is still necessary, the course of treatment should contain the minimum dosage of the drug, and it can be carried out only during the remission of the disease.
To reduce the irritant effect on the gastric mucosa, nicotinic acid tablets should be taken with milk. To prevent hepatotoxicity, it is necessary to enrich the diet during treatment with foods rich in methionine. This is, first of all, buckwheat, dairy products, fish and all kinds of legumes. Also, the doctor may recommend the combination of nicotinic acid with lipotropic drugs.
Nicotinic acid in preparations
Vitamin PP is widely used not only for medical purposes. For quite a long period of time, nicotinic acid has been very popular in cosmetology. It is used as a means for weight loss and hair growth, as well as to improve the condition of the skin of the face. In addition to nicotinic acid tablets, you can take multivitamin complexes with its content. They will affect the body as beneficially as pills, but at the same time they will help make up for the deficiency of other useful substances.
Vitamins with nicotinic acid in the composition must be selected after consulting a doctor. You also need to do tests that reveal the lack of nutrients in the body. The following biologically active food supplements are considered the most popular drugs:
- Perfect.
- "Supradin".
- "Alphabet".
- Vitrum.
- Evalar.
All of them contain not only the most essential vitamins and minerals for the body, but also nicotinic acid.
Vitamin PP and weight loss
The ability of nicotinic acid to influence extra pounds is due to its unique properties. Vitamin PP has the ability to oxidize carbohydrates and fats that have entered the body with food. It is with a lack of nicotinic acid that many experience an increased need for sweets. The fight against excess weight is due to the following properties that this substance has:
- Normalization of metabolism.
- Reducing blood cholesterol levels.
- Composition of nicotinic acid tablets stimulates the digestive tract.
- Excretion from the body of toxic substances and contaminants that are deposited on the walls of the stomach and impede the normal process of digestion.
Despite the obvious benefit of the vitamin for the figure, it must be remembered that the beneficial effect of its use will come only if you combine the course with dietary nutrition and sports. You should also take into account the fact that the dosage of nicotinic acid in the preparations should not exceed the amount of 1 g.
Nicotinic acid deficiency
With a lack of nicotinic acid, various pathological processes can develop. One of the most dangerous is a disease called pellagra. The following organs are most sensitive to a lack of vitamin PP:
- Intestines.
- Vessels.
- Leather.
- Brain.
You can identify a deficiency of nicotinic acid by the following symptoms:
- Essences appear on the skin, which look like burns from the sun's rays. With prolonged exposure to the sun, these spots begin to increase, darken and peel off.
- The work of the gastrointestinal tract is disturbed, which is accompanied by nausea, vomiting and other unpleasant symptoms in the form of diarrhea. In the most severe cases, bleeding may occur.
- Chronic fatigue and insomnia appear. This condition can lead to depression, mental illness, and even hallucinations.
- With a lack of vitamin PP, the mucous membranes often become inflamed and redden.
The main reason for the development of pellagra is the consumption of insufficient amounts of nicotinic acid, as well as its absence in the diet.
