Niacin is capable of exerting a diverse effect on the human body. This allows you to use it for the treatment of many diseases of the circulatory system, stomach and intestines, as well as ailments that develop against the background of atherosclerosis and pellagra.
The participation of the drug in metabolic processes
Niacin is actively involved in all metabolic processes - and in protein, and in fat, and in carbohydrate. This happens for the reason that it is part of those enzymes that accelerate oxidative and reduction reactions.
Particularly active drug affects the metabolism of fats. It favors lowering blood cholesterol (especially “bad”), which contributes to the formation of plaques in the blood vessels. The amount of useful organic compounds that are actively involved in metabolic processes is also able to increase nicotinic acid. Indications for the use of this drug for these reasons are as follows: most of the ailments developing against the background of atherosclerosis, for example, obliterating endarteritis (occlusion of peripheral arteries), ischemic disease of the brain and heart.
Blood flow acceleration
Among other things, nicotinic acid acts in an expanding manner on the capillaries (small vessels). This contributes to the rush of blood and improve the supply of various organs. Thus, nicotinic acid is able to accelerate the process of tissue regeneration, healing of ulcers and wounds. Indications for use of this drug in this case: many ailments of the intestine and stomach during the period of remission (between exacerbations).
Prescription of a medicinal product
First of all, the drug helps with the treatment of pellagra. This disease develops due to a deficiency of nicotinic acid. In this case, metabolic disturbances occur, which lead to damage to the skin, as a result of which itching, swelling, and redness are observed. Also, with pellagra, the intestines, stomach (including the tongue), and the brain (the result is dementia) are disturbed. In the case of a slight development of the disease and the absence of severe consequences for the central nervous system, nicotinic acid therapy is quite effective.
Treatment of ailments of the stomach and intestines
For the treatment of what other pathologies is nicotinic acid used? Indications for use of the drug may be the following - a variety of ailments of the intestine and stomach. Namely:
- Gastritis with a low level of secretion.
- Peptic ulcer of the duodenum and stomach.
- Colitis.
- Enteritis.
- Pancreatitis in a chronic form.
In all these cases, the use of nicotinic acid is permissible only during the period of remission (not at the time of exacerbation). It is especially cautious to use this drug in the treatment of peptic ulcer, as it can accelerate the secretion of gastric juice during exacerbation. As a result, vasodilation is possible, which leads to complications of ailments and bleeding.
Malabsorption syndrome
There are also diseases of the intestines and stomach that significantly reduce the rate of absorption of the components of food and nicotinic acid by the small intestine. This pathology is called "malabsorption syndrome." It accompanies many diseases that develop in the gastrointestinal tract. With this syndrome, the introduction of nicotinic acid into the body is carried out intravenously or intramuscularly.
Acid deficiency
It happens that a deficiency of nicotinic acid is observed in the body in case of malnutrition. A constant menu based on one variety of the product, the absence of animal proteins, fruits, vegetables in the diet does not allow saturating the body systems and organs with a sufficient amount of it. In this case, the drug is administered orally or as an injection.
Also, nicotinic acid deficiency is observed due to severe ailments of an infectious nature, accompanied by a significant increase in body temperature due to a prolonged inflammatory process. In this case, the drug is prescribed only outside the period of exacerbation. In case of chronic liver cirrhosis or hepatitis, nicotinic acid is not used.
Other pathologies
In what other cases is nicotinic acid used? Indications for use may be as follows:
- Atherosclerosis and the ailments associated with it are obliterating endarteritis, ischemic heart disease. The use of acid accelerates the exchange of cholesterol, dilates blood vessels, improves blood circulation to tissues and organs.
- Trophic ulcers and wounds. Niacin promotes rapid tissue regeneration and healing.
- Restoring the normal functioning of many organs. The drug in this case acts as a vitamin.
Nicotinic acid: side effects
It is permissible to take the drug no more than 6 grams per day. For a better perception by the body of nicotinic acid, it should be consumed exclusively after meals and washed down with warm drinks. In the initial stage of therapy with this drug, it is necessary to control the level of glucose in the blood. Also, to detect side effects of acid, kidney function should be monitored.
Sometimes the drug is poorly perceived by patients, sometimes there is redness of the skin and hot flashes. The reason for this is an increased synthesis of prostaglandins, disorders in the gastrointestinal tract, hyperuricemia, and a decrease in glucose response. For this reason, not every organism is able to perceive effective, but large doses of nicotinic acid (from 3 to 5 grams per day).
Toxic effects of the drug
This prolonged-release drug occasionally leads to serious toxic effects on the liver. Therefore, long-term use of nicotinic acid implies control of the work of this body. This effect of the drug on the liver is due to its methylation. Before the hepatotoxic effect of nicotinic acid begins to appear, the level of lipids in the blood decreases sharply.
Hypovitaminosis
Long-term use of nicotinic acid in large quantities leads to the displacement of ascorbic acid from the body. This phenomenon is called hypovitaminosis. In order to prevent it, additional administration of ascorbic acid preparations is considered advisable .
Other deviations
When using nicotinic acid, the following deviations can also be observed:
- Increased acidity of juice in the stomach (exacerbation of an ulcer).
- Hyperglycemia.
- An increase in the frequency of atrial arrhythmias in patients with coronary disease (rarely, but possible).
- The appearance of brown spots with a velvety cover on the skin (acanthosis).
- Retinal swelling (a rather rare side effect).
All of these symptoms are quite unstable and disappear after stopping the use of nicotinic acid.
Drug price
How much does nicotinic acid cost? The price in Russian pharmacies ranges from 10.90 rubles. for 50 tablets in a dosage of 0.05 grams. The maximum cost is about 81 rubles per 10 ampoules of the drug at a dosage of 10 mg / ml.