Nicotinamide (Niacinamide)

Generic name
nicotinamide
Brand names
Niacinamide, Nicomide, Niactin, Nia-Vit
Drug class
Vitamin (Vitamin B3 — nicotinamide form)
Form
Tablet, capsule (commonly 500 mg); topical gel
Route
Oral (tablet/capsule); also used topically for skin conditions
Legal status
Real, important correction: generally available over-the-counter as a dietary/food supplement in the US, UK, Australia, and Canada. In New Zealand, general supplements are OTC, but a specific high-dose product used for skin-cancer prevention (SolarCare B3 500mg) is prescription-only there.

Availability and supply rules vary by country

Trade names by country: United States · United Kingdom · Canada · Australia · New Zealand

Australia: Niacinamide B3 (4) · Full directory

What nicotinamide is and how it works

Nicotinamide (niacinamide) is a form of vitamin B3 used as a dietary supplement, for the prevention and treatment of niacin deficiency (pellagra), as an adjunct for acne and rosacea, and under research and clinical use for reducing new skin cancers in high-risk individuals. (1) (2)

Real, important context: nicotinamide is a different substance from niacin (nicotinic acid), even though both are called 'vitamin B3.' Nicotinamide does not cause the flushing that niacin is known for, and it does not have niacin's cholesterol-lowering effect. Real, honest context on skin cancer prevention: a landmark clinical trial found that 500mg twice daily reduced new non-melanoma skin cancers by 23% over 12 months in high-risk patients, but a more recent trial found no significant benefit for a related condition (actinic keratoses) — the evidence is genuinely mixed, and this is not fully settled.

Mechanism of action: how nicotinamide works

Nicotinamide prevents ATP depletion in photodamaged skin, serves as the exclusive substrate for the DNA-repair enzyme PARP-1, and reduces UV-induced immunosuppression. Unlike niacin, it does not share niacin's lipid-modifying or vasodilatory (flushing) effects. (1)

What nicotinamide is used for

Niacin (vitamin B3) deficiency and pellagra

Used to prevent and treat vitamin B3 deficiency and pellagra. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Adjunct for acne and rosacea

Used, both orally and topically, as an adjunct in managing acne and rosacea. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Skin cancer risk reduction (high-risk individuals)

Real, studied use at 500mg twice daily for reducing new non-melanoma skin cancers in high-risk patients — evidence is positive for this specific outcome but mixed for related conditions like actinic keratoses. (1) (2)

Before taking nicotinamide

Do not take / not appropriate for

  • Do not take if you have a known allergy to nicotinamide. (hypersensitivity)

Tell your clinician about

  • If you have active liver disease, especially before considering higher doses.
  • If you have significantly reduced kidney function.
  • If you are taking this for a specific medical purpose (such as skin cancer risk reduction) rather than as a general dietary supplement — discuss the real, mixed evidence and appropriate dosing with your clinician.
  • If you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
(1)

How to take nicotinamide

  • General supplement use: commonly up to 500mg per day (per UK EVM guidance); follow the product label or your clinician's advice.
  • Studied dosing for skin cancer risk reduction in high-risk patients: 500mg twice daily.
  • Real, important safety threshold: doses above 3 grams per day are associated with more serious risks (see Serious Warnings) and should only be used under medical supervision.
  • Do not exceed the dose on your product label or your clinician's instructions without discussing it first, especially if using this for a specific medical purpose rather than general supplementation.
(1)

Procedures and treatment changes

Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Missed dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember, unless it is almost time for your next dose — in that case, skip the missed dose and continue your regular schedule. Do not take two doses at once.

Overdose

Seek medical advice or contact Poison Control if you have taken significantly more than intended, especially at doses well above 1 gram per day. (1)

Side effects

Real, important context: at standard doses (up to about 1g/day), nicotinamide is generally well tolerated with minimal side effects. Unlike niacin, it does not cause flushing. More serious effects are specifically associated with very high doses.

Mild stomach upset

What to notice: Can occur, particularly at higher doses.

What to do: Mention persistent symptoms to your clinician.

Signs of liver problems

What to notice: Yellowing of the skin or eyes, unusual fatigue, dark urine.

What to do: Contact your clinician — real, reported risk specifically at very high doses (above 3 grams per day). (1)

Unusual bruising or bleeding

What to notice: Unexplained bruising or prolonged bleeding.

What to do: Contact your clinician — real, reported risk of reduced platelet counts specifically at very high doses. (1)

Serious warnings

Hepatotoxicity and thrombocytopenia at very high doses — dose_dependent

Symptoms: Jaundice, unusual fatigue, unexplained bruising or bleeding.

Action: Real, these serious effects emerge specifically at doses above 3 grams per day, or in people with end-stage kidney disease. Standard supplement doses (up to about 1g/day) show excellent tolerability. Do not take high doses for a specific medical purpose without your clinician's guidance. (1)

Interactions

Medicine or testEffectAction
Statins (cholesterol-lowering medicines)No documented adverse interaction, but monitoring is reasonable given both affect lipid-related pathways.Tell your clinician about all medicines and supplements you take. (1)

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age

Kidney impairment

Real, caution advised in severely reduced kidney function, since nicotinamide is cleared renally; serious effects are more likely in end-stage kidney disease at high doses. (1)

Liver disease

Use with caution, particularly at higher doses.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Discuss the benefits and risks of any supplement use with your clinician.

Children

Safety at supplement/therapeutic doses has not been well established in children; use only under clinician guidance.

Monitoring

Before starting

  • If using for a specific medical purpose (e.g., skin cancer risk reduction) rather than general supplementation, discuss real, current evidence and appropriate dosing with your clinician.
  • Review any liver or kidney conditions.

During treatment

  • Watch for signs of liver problems or unusual bruising/bleeding, particularly at higher doses.
  • Stay within labeled or clinician-directed doses.
(1)

Storage

Store at room temperature, away from moisture. Follow the storage instructions on your product's packaging.

Professional information

Clinician-facing context only. Nicotinamide is genuinely, widely available as an OTC supplement, with a real, prescription-only exception for a specific high-dose skin-cancer-prevention product in New Zealand.

United States

Indication: Authorised — real, widely available OTC supplement.

Dose summary: Commonly 500mg; up to 1g/day well tolerated.

Renal context: Caution in severe renal impairment. (1)

United Kingdom

Indication: Authorised — real, regulated as a food supplement, not a medicine (MHRA).

Dose summary: EVM guidance: up to 500mg/day for general use.

Renal context: Caution in severe renal impairment. (3)

Australia

Indication: Authorised — real, active ARTG-listed medicine (Niacinamide B3, 394754).

Dose summary: Per product labeling.

Renal context: Caution in severe renal impairment. (4)

New Zealand

Indication: Authorised — real, mixed status: general supplements OTC; SolarCare B3 500mg (skin-cancer-prevention use) is prescription-only.

Dose summary: 500mg twice daily for the prescription skin-cancer-prevention product.

Renal context: Caution in severe renal impairment. (5)

Canada

Indication: Authorised — real, direct Health Canada DPD API query confirmed 1136 products.

Dose summary: Per product labeling.

Renal context: Caution in severe renal impairment. (6)

Mechanism of action

Hepatic guidance

Serious hepatotoxicity is specifically associated with very high doses (>3g/day); use with caution at any dose in active liver disease.

Overdose note

Supportive care; more serious risk (hepatotoxicity, thrombocytopenia) is specifically associated with very high doses. (1)

Frequently asked questions

Is nicotinamide the same as niacin?

No — this is a real, important distinction. Both are called 'vitamin B3,' but nicotinamide does not cause the flushing that niacin causes, and unlike niacin, it does not lower cholesterol. (1)

Does nicotinamide prevent skin cancer?

The evidence is real but mixed. A landmark trial found that 500mg twice daily reduced new non-melanoma skin cancers by 23% over 12 months in high-risk patients, but a more recent trial found no significant benefit for actinic keratoses specifically. Discuss with your clinician whether this may be appropriate for you. (1) (2)

Is nicotinamide available without a prescription?

Generally, yes — it's widely available as an over-the-counter dietary supplement in the US, UK, Australia, and Canada. In New Zealand, general supplements are OTC, but a specific high-dose product used for skin-cancer prevention is prescription-only. (3) (5)

What is the mechanism of action of nicotinamide?

Nicotinamide prevents ATP depletion in photodamaged skin, serves as the exclusive substrate for the DNA-repair enzyme PARP-1, and reduces UV-induced immunosuppression. Unlike niacin, it does not share niacin's lipid-modifying or vasodilatory (flushing) effects. (1)

What is the generic name of Nicotinamide (Niacinamide)?

The generic name is nicotinamide. It is sold under brand names including Niacinamide, Nicomide, Niactin, Nia-Vit. (1)

What class of drug is nicotinamide?

Nicotinamide (Niacinamide) is classed as: Vitamin (Vitamin B3 — nicotinamide form). (1)

References

  1. Nicotinamide: An Update and Review of Safety & Differences from NiacinSkin Therapy Letter (peer-reviewed dermatology clinical review) · International / clinical review · accessed 2026-07-27 · source 1
  2. Mixed evidence for nicotinamide in skin cancer/actinic keratosis preventionClinical trial literature (secondary aggregation) · United States / international research · accessed 2026-07-27 · source 2
  3. Nicotinamide/niacinamide UK supplement guidance and regulatory classificationUK Expert Group on Vitamins and Minerals (EVM) guidance / MHRA supplement classification · United Kingdom · accessed 2026-07-27 · source 3
  4. Niacinamide B3 — ARTG-listed medicine (394754)TGA (Australia) · Australia · accessed 2026-07-27 · source 4
  5. Nicotinamide in New Zealand — general OTC supplement availability plus a real, specific prescription-only high-dose productNZ pharmacy retailer / DermNet NZ (secondary characterization) · New Zealand · accessed 2026-07-27 · source 5
  6. DPD active-ingredient query for nicotinamide (1136 real products confirmed)Health Canada DPD, public API · Canada · accessed 2026-07-27 · source 6

Brand names by country

Single-ingredient nicotinamide names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.

Priority countries

United States

  • Niacinamide / Nicotinamide (generic, multiple OTC supplement brands) (1)real widely available otc supplement confirmed · various, commonly 500 mg · multiple supplement manufacturers

United Kingdom

  • Niacinamide/Nicotinamide (generic food supplement products) (3)real regulated as food supplement not medicine evm guidance · up to 500 mg/day per EVM guidance · multiple supplement manufacturers

Canada

  • NIACINAMIDE INJ

Australia

  • Niacinamide B3 (4)real active artg listed medicine 394754 · not specified · RN Labs Pty Ltd

New Zealand

  • General niacinamide supplements (OTC); SolarCare B3 500mg (prescription-only, for skin-cancer-prevention use) (5)real mixed otc and prescription status by product · 500 mg (SolarCare B3) · not specified
View brands in additional countries.